Lifetime is beefing up its TV film slate for next year, increasing the total to 150 movies and bringing in Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah to help.
The high-profile female trio will executive produce a biopic on the Clark Sisters. The authorized movie will detail their humble beginnings, struggles to find their place, to later becoming the best-selling Gospel group in the music world. The movie will feature re-recordings of some of the Clark Sisters biggest hits like “You Brought The Sunshine” and stars SAG nominee Aunjanue Ellis.
Elsewhere on the scripted front, Lifetime has set a miniseries on the female rap duo Salt-N-Pepa.
The miniseries follows the story of nursing students Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton as they fall into the world of rap and hip hop, after recording for a friend’s school project. Salt-N-Pepa made a huge impact in hip hop by being one of the first all-female rap groups, changing the look of hip hop and unafraid to talk about sex and share their thoughts on men. Salt-N-Pepa became the first female rap act to go platinum and experienced ground-breaking success with multiple Grammy wins, paving the way for all female rappers to follow.
The miniseries will also feature their greatest hits like “Let’s Talk About Sex,” “What a Man,” “Shoop” and “Push It,” among others. “Salt-N-Pepa” is executive produced by Cheryl James, Sandra Denton and Jesse Collins. Queen Latifah and Shakim Compere also executive produce from Flavor Unit. The miniseries is co-executive produced by Andy Hume, Dionne Harmon and James “Jimmy” Maynes and written by Abdul Williams.
“Bringing untold stories of phenomenal women to life has been a core tenant of Lifetime,” said Tanya Lopez, executive vice president of movies, limited series & original movie acquisitions, Lifetime and LMN. “We are thrilled to partner with Cheryl, Sandra, Queen Latifah, Mary, Missy and The Clark Sisters for the new projects that will showcase these iconic women in music to new audiences.”
Lifetime also announced documentary events with Elizabeth Smart covering the Jayme Closs case and a documentary event executive produced by Aly Raisman and Leah Remini, “From Darkness to Light,” which will offer a platform for victims of sexual assault.
“Lifetime has proven it’s a brand that believes in and stands behind the power and courage of female voices,” said Gena McCarthy, executive vice president, head of programming, Lifetime Unscripted and head of programming, FYI. “We’re blown away by the fearless strength Elizabeth, Aly and Leah all embody-they inspire us, and prove you can never underestimate the power of a woman.”