EMMY(R) AND GOLDEN GLOBE AWARD NOMINEE SHERRY STRINGFIELD AND DANIELLE PANABAKER STAR IN "BEVERLY LEWIS' THE SHUNNING," A HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE WORLD PREMIERE APRIL 16

BASED ON BEST-SELLING NOVEL BY PLAIN HERITAGE AUTHOR BEVERLY LEWIS

Three-time Emmy(R) and two-time Golden Globenominee Sherry Stringfield ("ER") and Danielle Panabaker ("The Crazies") star in the Hallmark Channel Original Movie World Premiere "Beverly Lewis' The Shunning," Saturday, April 16 (9p.m. ET/PT, 8C). The movie is based on the first novel of The Heritage of Lancaster County Booksfrom New York Timesbest-selling author Beverly Lewis and is the retelling of some of the heartbreaking experiences of Lewis' maternal grandmother Ada Ranck Buckwalter. Ms. Buckwalter was born into the Old Order Mennonite Church, which became the genesis of Ms. Lewis' fascination with her plain heritage.

In "Beverly Lewis' The Shunning," Panabaker plays "Katie Lapp," known in her Amish Community for not always adhering to the strict rules of the religious township. Katie has accepted the town Bishop's proposal to be married, but she is uneasy about her choice. As she struggles to accept a life of sacrifices she is often in conflict with, Katie discovers her parents have kept a secret from her: she is adopted, and her birth mother is urgently attempting to locate her. Sherry Stringfield plays "Laura Mayfield-Bennett," Katie's birth mother, who is dying of cancer and who wants only to be reunited with the child she gave up 24 years ago.

Secrets are revealed, trust and hearts broken and a community stubbornly holding on to the old ways will turn a cold shoulder to its most recalcitrant daughter.

"Beverly Lewis' The Shunning" is produced by Believe Pictures and Lightworks Pictures. Brian Bird, Michael Landon Jr. and Maura Dunbar arethe executive producers and Cindy Bond is

co-executive producer. Mitchell Galin and Carey Nelson Burch are the producers. Michael Landon, Jr. directed from a script written by Chris Easterly.

Beverly Lewis is America's foremost author of "plain heritage" literature and is the author of more than 70 books. Ms. Lewis' father was a pastor in Lancaster County, heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch community and part of the sub-grouping of Mennonite churches who believe in simple living, plain dress and reluctance for modern conveniences.