'THE BEACH HOUSE,' A HALLMARK HALL OF FAME ORIGINAL, STARRING ANDIE MACDOWELL, MINKA KELLY, AND CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY, BEGINS PRODUCTION FOR PREMIERE EXCLUSIVELY ON HALLMARK CHANNEL, MAY 2018

Based on New York Times' Bestselling Author Mary Alice Monroe's Timeless Tale of Love and Sacrifice

STUDIO CITY, CA - Thursday, October 26, 2017 - Hallmark Channel announces Hallmark Hall of Fame original film, "The Beach House," starring Andie MacDowell ("Cedar Cove," "Magic Mike XXL"), Minka Kelly ("Titans," "Away & Back"), and Chad Michael Murray ("Agent Carter," "Sun Records") has begun production for World Premiere on Hallmark Channel in May, 2018.

In "The Beach House," Caretta "Cara" Rutledge thought she'd left her Southern roots and troubled family far behind. But an unusual request from her mother Lovie comes just as Cara's own life is spinning out of control causing her to return to the scenic Lowcountry of her childhood summers. Before long, the rhythms of the island open her heart in wonderful ways as she repairs the family beach house, becomes a bona fide "turtle lady," and renews old acquaintances long thought lost. During one devastating storm, Cara will help Lovie save hundreds of sea turtles from certain death and learn some of life's real truths in the process: lasting love requires sacrifice, family is forever, and mistakes of the past can be forgiven.

"'The Beach House' is a timeless tale about the ebb and flow of life, love, and relationships, and it is about learning to surrender completely to live richly in the moment," said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Programming, Crown Media Family Networks.

"We have an extraordinary cast and a gorgeous tapestry of a story that is particularly timely, given the recent devastation hurricanes have caused. These events have certainly had a horrific impact on both residents and wildlife, including the habitats of loggerhead sea turtles, featured in the film," Vicary concluded.

"I love the connection to nature, preservation and saving turtles, and so I am grateful to Hallmark Channel, our wonderful cast, Dan Wigutow, Sue Tenney, and one of my favorite authors Mary Alice Monroe," said Andie MacDowell.

"I have been to the beach many times to watch the loggerhead turtles hatch and it's a powerful human-to-nature experience. I am thankful to be part of not only great storytelling, but also an advocate for nature. The Beach House is full of passion and romance both for people and the land they love, and helps us to understand that connecting with loved ones and to nature is the greatest part of our adventure here," MacDowell concluded.

"The Beach House" was adapted for television by Maria Nation and Tippi & Neal Dobrofsky from Mary Alice Monroe's bestselling novel series. Executive Producers are Dan Wigutow and Stephen Harmaty.

ABOUT CROWN MEDIA FAMILY NETWORKS

Crown Media Family Networks is part of the portfolio of Hallmark Cards, Inc., housing cable's leading family friendly networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama. Hallmark Channel features an ambitious slate of new, original content, including movies, scripted series, annual specials, and a daily, two-hour lifestyle show. Hallmark Channel is also home to the popular annual holiday franchise "Countdown to Christmas," featuring a lineup of 24/7 holiday programming. Hallmark Movies & Mysteries is a 24-hour cable network featuring a unique mix of new, original movies and acquired series focused on the lighter side of the suspense and mystery genres. The network also features its own annual holiday programming franchise, "Most Wonderful Movies of Christmas". Hallmark Drama showcases the rich legacy of the Hallmark Hall of Fame library and with zero duplication, spotlights movies and series from Crown Media's collection of original dramatic content. Crown Media Family Networks is also home to Hallmark Movies Now, the company's SVOD service, which offers wholly distinct content from each network and is available on iOS, Android, Roku and Amazon Fire, among other devices. Crown Media Family Networks' digital publishing extension, Hallmark Publishing, is an eBook division that creates novelizations of previously aired original movie favorites. It also accepts author submissions for original, on-brand manuscripts that can be greenlit as a new movie or series for one of the company's three linear networks. Hallmark Channel on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest Hallmark Movies & Mysteries on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter Hallmark Drama on Social Media: Twitter Hallmark Publishing on Social Media: Twitter