ABC EMBRACES THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT WITH 'SAME TIME, NEXT CHRISTMAS,' FROM FREEFORM STUDIOS, STARRING LEA MICHELE

Stephen Herek ('Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors,' 'Mr. Holland's Opus' and 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure') to Direct

ABC announced today that it has picked up a special holiday movie "Same Time, Next Christmas" set to air in December 2019, from Freeform Studios. The movie stars New York Times bestselling author and singer, Lea Michele, who is known for her role as Rachel Berry on the Fox hit series "Glee." In "Same Time, Next Christmas," Lea Michele will play the lead role of Olivia Henderson, a young woman who met her childhood sweetheart during her family's annual Christmas visit to Hawaii. After being separated by distance and years, the two reunite at the same Hawaii resort years later and the old chemistry between them flares up anew - but circumstances conspire to keep them apart.

In addition, Lea Michele is set to release her first Christmas album this coming holiday.

"This holiday season holds special importance to me as I get to celebrate both my role in this film and my first-ever holiday album," said Lea Michele. "I'm honored to return to ABC with this movie event, and I am excited to share the holidays with everyone."

"Same Time, Next Christmas" is executive produced by EveryWhere Studios' Tom Mazza and David Culvert Jones, while Stephen Herek ("Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors," "Mr. Holland's Opus and "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure") is set to direct. The movie is produced by Freeform Studios for ABC.

About ABC Entertainment

ABC Entertainment airs compelling programming across all day parts, including "Grey's Anatomy," the longest-running medical drama in prime-time television; riveting dramas "The Good Doctor," "How to Get Away with Murder," "A Million Little Things" and "Station 19"; the Emmy(R) Award-winning "Modern Family" and trailblazing comedy favorites "American Housewife," "black-ish," "Bless This Mess," "The Conners," "The Goldbergs," and "Schooled"; the popular "Summer Fun & Games" programming block, including "Card Sharks," "Celebrity Family Feud," "Holey Moley" and "Press Your Luck"; star-making sensation "American Idol"; reality phenomenon "Shark Tank"; "The Bachelor" franchise; long-running hits "Dancing with the Stars" and "America's Funniest Home Videos"; "General Hospital," which has aired for more than 55 years on the network; and late-night talk show "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"; as well as the critically acclaimed hit special "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons.'" The network also boasts some of television's most prestigious awards shows, including "The Oscars(R)," "The CMA Awards" and the "American Music Awards." ABC programming can also be viewed on ABC.com, the ABC app and Hulu.

About Freeform Studios

Freeform Studios produces bold original programming that connects with audiences to move the cultural conversation a little forward. Their authentic, groundbreaking original series include "Good Trouble," "Siren," and "Motherland," as well as original movies including "Life-Size 2" and the upcoming "Ghosting" and "Same Time, Next Christmas."