HALLMARK CHANNEL DIVES INTO FIRST-EVER "SUMMER NIGHTS" CELEBRATION WITH SIX ORIGINAL MOVIE PREMIERES JULY 23 - AUGUST 27

Stars Include: James Denton, Hilarie Burton, Vivica A. Fox, Natasha Henstridge, Lauren Holly, Rachel Leigh Cook, Deborah Gibson

STUDIO CITY, CA - July 6 - Fresh off the recent success of its "June Weddings" movie programming event, Hallmark Channel dives into its first-ever "Summer Nights" event with a new, original movie premiere each weekend for six weeks beginning Saturday, July 23 and concluding Saturday, August 27. The movies feature a roster of talent including James Denton, Hilarie Burton, Vivica A. Fox, Natasha Henstridge, Rachel Leigh Cook, Deborah Gibson, Lauren Holly.

"Our 'Summer Nights' programming is a great escape into the joy and freedom of the season," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming and Publicity, Crown Media Family Networks. "Celebrating all things summer, the line-up of originals offers stories of camp, internships, vacationing in the French countryside and - of course - romance."

Hallmark Channel's new, original series "Chesapeake Shores" makes its debut on Saturday, August 14, 9 p.m. ET/PT, as previously announced.

Premiering Saturday nights this July and August on Hallmark Channel as part of the network's "Summer Nights" programming event:

'SUMMER VILLA' - Saturday, July 23 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Hilarie Burton ("One Tree Hill"), Victor Webster ("Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce")

Although a successful romance novelist, Terry Russell hasn't had luck in her own love life. After a disastrous first date with cocky, hot-shot New York chef Matthew Everston, she retreats to her friend's French villa for the summer to finish her latest novel with her reluctant teenage daughter in tow. Terry and Matthew are shocked - and dismayed - to find they're sharing the villa, which belongs to his family. As the summer days wear on, the chill between them begins to slowly thaw and - just maybe - a real-life romance begins to bloom.

'FOR LOVE AND HONOR' - Saturday, July 30 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: James Denton ("Good Witch," "Devious Maids"), Natalie Brown ("The Strain")

A recently retired Army Colonel is tapped by his old friend to take over the military division to help save declining Stone Creek Academy. He immediately clashes with the newly hired academics dean, a civilian woman whose "touchy-feely" methods are at complete odds with his more regimented approach. The dueling duo ultimately joins forces to save the school from being auctioned off by its board but during the course of their seemingly impossible task, romance blossoms and these two opposites learn they really do have everything in common after all.

'MY SUMMER PRINCE' - Saturday, August 6 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Taylor Cole ("The Originals), Marina Sirtis ("Star Trek: The Next Generation"), Lauren Holly ("NCIS")

A prince, and heir to the throne, finds himself in hot water for his partying ways, so the royal family decides to hire a top notch PR consultant to work with him. As the consultant heads to meet the prince, she falls ill and her assistant must step in at the last minute. Unbeknownst to her boss, the assistant excels at creating a campaign for the prince which proves to be successful. But when she finds herself falling in love with him, and the feelings are mutual, she has to deal with the fact that she's been lying to him all along and what will happen when he finds out.

'SUMMER IN THE CITY' - Saturday, August 13 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Vivica A. Fox ("Empire," Independence Day: Resurgence), Natasha Henstridge ("Beauty and the Beast")

A small town woman with southern charm is given a big promotion managing a store in the Big Apple, and she tries to adopt a big city personality, which leads to disastrous results. Realizing it's better to be true to herself, she lets her southern personality shine and it becomes the secret to her success in work and in love.

'SUMMER LOVE' - Saturday, August 20 (9 p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Rachel Leigh Cook ("Perception")

A widowed suburban mom who's recently gone back to school school takes an internship and enters the fast-paced tech world of millionaire "app-trepreneurs." She discovers that although life seems to be a lot more digital, love needs to be a lot more real.

'SONG OF SUMMER' - Saturday, August 27 (9p.m. ET/PT)

Stars: Deborah Gibson ("Acting Dead"), Robert Gant ("Supergirl")

Debbie Taylor is a former 1980s pop star bent on making a comeback and returning to the Billboard charts. As she prepares to once again take the music industry by storm, Debbie's record label deems her irrelevant and abruptly drops her. Out of money, she leaves the fast lane of New York to move in with her sister in Youngstown, Ohio. There, Debbie's life as a diva takes an abrupt turn when she's asked to substitute for a local high school music teacher. When she reluctantly agrees, Debbie is introduced to a lovable group of teenage misfits preparing to perform at their upcoming prom. While unsuccessfully attempting to connect with the students Debbie meets Noah, the school's quirky, down-to-earth guidance counselor. Eventually, Debbie wins over the students with a new perspective on music, life and love.

ABOUT HALLMARK CHANNEL

Hallmark Channel is Crown Media Family Networks' flagship 24-hour cable television network, distributed nationwide in high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to 89 million homes. The country's leading destination for quality family entertainment, Hallmark Channel delivers on the 100-year legacy of the Hallmark brand. In addition to its signature original movies, the network features an ambitious lineup of other original content, including scripted primetime series, such as Good Witch and When Calls the Heart; annual specials like Kitten Bowl and Hero Dog Awards and; a daily 2-hour lifestyle show, Home & Family. Additionally, in November 2014, Hallmark Channel became the exclusive home to world premiere presentations of the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame franchise. Dedicated to helping viewers celebrate life's special moments, Hallmark Channel also offers such annual holiday programming events as Countdown to Christmas and Countdown to Valentine's Day. Rounding out the network's diverse slate are television's most beloved sitcoms and series, including The Golden Girls, The Middle, Last Man Standing, Little House on the Prairie and Frasier. Hallmark Cards, Inc. owns and operates Crown Media Family Networks.