TNT Greenlights "Patricia Cornwell's Hornet's Nest" and Casts Sherry Stringfield and Virginia Madsen to Star as Network Expands "TNT Mystery Movie Night" into 2012

TNT has greenlit an original movie adaptation of the chart-topping bestseller Hornet's Nest, a novel by America's #1 crime novelist, Patricia Cornwell, whose works have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide. Sherry Stringfield (ER) and Virginia Madsen (Sideways) have been cast to star in Hornet's Nest, which will premiere next spring as part of the TNT Mystery Movie Night, the network's new showcase of movies adapted from contemporary crime novels. Robbie Amell (Picture This), Michael Boatman (The Good Wife) and Michael Silver (ER) are also set to star in the movie.

The TNT Mystery Movie Night is set to launch Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) with Scott Turow's Innocent. The franchise will feature six movies in November and December before returning in spring 2012 with Hornet's Nest and three additional movies.

Hornet's Nest, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller, is the first in Cornwell's series of mysteries featuring reporter Andy Brazil (Amell), Police Chief Judy Hammer (Madsen) and her top deputy, Virginia West (Stringfield). Boatman has been cast as Richard Panesa, and Silver will play Deputy Chief Adam Goode. Set in Charlotte, N.C., the story opens with everyone desperate to solve the latest crisis: a serial killer is specializing in out-of-town businessmen. Hammer and West make the murder investigation their top priority. But West is less than pleased when Hammer pairs her up with Brazil, a cub reporter assigned to cover the police department.

Hornet's Nest is being adapted by screenwriter Dee Johnson, whose credits include TNT's Southland and Rizzoli & Isles. Jim Head serves as executive producer, along with Cornwell, who will release Red Mist (G.P. Putnam's Sons), the eagerly anticipated 19th novel in the acclaimed Scarpetta series, on Dec. 6. Millicent Shelton (Californication, 90210) is set to direct Hornet's Nest. Head is also currently executive-producing Ricochet, which premieres Wednesday, Nov. 30, as part of this winter's TNT Mystery Movie Night lineup. Based on the novel by Sandra Brown, Ricochet stars John Corbett, Julie Benz, Kelly Overton and Gary Cole.

In addition to Scott Turow's Innocent and Ricochet, the TNT Mystery Movie Night's winter 2011 presentations will include Hide (Tuesday, Dec. 6), based on the novel by Lisa Gardner and starring Carla Gugino, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Kevin Alejandro and Bridget Regan; Silent Witness (Wednesday, Dec. 7), based on the book by Richard North Patterson and starring Dermot Mulroney, Michael Cudlitz, Anne Heche and Judd Hirsch; and Good Morning, Killer(Tuesday, Dec. 13), based on the book by April Smith and starring Catherine Bell, Cole Hauser, William Devane, Titus Welliver and Suleka Mathew. Closing out the showcase's winter 2011 lineup, Kathy Najimy, Scottie Thompson, Jane Alexander and Larry Miller will star in Deck the Halls (Tuesday, Dec. 20), based on the book by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark.

About TNT

TNT, one of cable's top-rated networks, is television's destination for drama. Seen in 100.5 million households, the network is home to such original series as The Closer, starring Emmy(R) winner Kyra Sedgwick; Rizzoli & Isles, starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander; Falling Skies, starring Noah Wyle; Franklin & Bash, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Breckin Meyer; Leverage, starring Timothy Hutton; Southland, from Emmy-winning producer John Wells; and Memphis Beat, starring Jason Lee and Alfre Woodard, as well as the upcoming series Major Crimes, Dallas and Perception. TNT also presents compelling original movies, including a slate of thrillers set to premiere this winter in the TNT Mystery Movie Night showcase. TNT is the cable home to powerful dramas like The Mentalist, Bones, Supernatural, Las Vegas, Law & Order, CSI: NY, Cold Case and, starting next year, Castle; primetime specials, such as the Screen Actors Guild Awards(R); blockbuster movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR, the NBA and the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship. TNT is available in high-definition.