V.C. Andrews' Dawn

V.C. Andrews' Dawn
Based onDawn
by V. C. Andrews
Written byGregory Small
Directed byLinda-Lisa Hayter
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Producers
  • Merideth Finn
  • Michele Weiss
  • Timothy Johnson
  • Stacy Mandelberg
EditorDevin Taylor
Production companies
Original release
NetworkLifetime
ReleaseJuly 8, 2023 (2023-07-08)

V.C. Andrews' Dawn is an American limited television thriller drama series based on the novel with the same name by V. C. Andrews and directed by Linda-Lisa Hayter. It stars Brec Bassinger as Dawn Longchamp and Donna Mills as her wicked grandmother Lillian Cutler. The series includes four movies: Dawn, Secrets of the Morning, Twilight's Child, and Midnight Whispers.[1] It premiered on Lifetime on July 8, 2023, and aired through July 29.[2][3]

Cast

Dawn

Secrets of the Morning

Twilight's Child

  • Brec Bassinger as Dawn Longchamp aka Eugenia Grace Cutler
  • Khobe Clarke as Jimmy Longchamp
  • Piper Scott as Fern
  • Emma Oliver as Christie Longchamp
  • Elyse Maloway as Clara Jean Cutler
  • Corey Woods as Tricia
  • Dane Schioler as Philip Cutler
  • Jason Cermak as Randolph Cutler
  • Miranda Frigon as Laura Jean Cutler
  • Matthew James Dowden as Bronson Alcott
  • Chelsey Reist as Betty Ann Monroe Cutler
  • Dean Redman as Luther
  • Bronwen Smith as Charlotte
  • Jennifer Higgin as Emily Booth
  • Joey McIntyre as Michael Sutton
  • Donna Mills as Lillian Cutler

Midnight Whispers

  • Brec Bassinger as Dawn Longchamp aka Eugenia Grace Cutler
  • Megan Best as Christie Longchamp
  • Khobe Clarke as Jimmy Longchamp
  • Clara Alexandrova as Fern
  • Corey Woods as Tricia
  • Sawyer Fraser as Jefferson Longchamp
  • Emrik Lopez as Gavin Longchamp
  • Matthew James Dowden as Bronson Alcott
  • Dane Schioler as Philip Cutler
  • Chelsey Reist as Betty Ann Cutler
  • Dean Redman as Luther
  • Bronwen Smith as Charlotte
  • Joey McIntyre as Michael Sutton

Also starring Helena Marie as Sally Longchamp, Tanja Dixon-Warren as Mrs. Boston, Madeleine Kelders as Mrs. Bradley, and Cheryl Swan as Mrs. Dalton

Production

On September 15, 2022, it was reported that Lifetime and A+E would produce V.C. Andrews's Dawn film series for airing in 2023.[4][5] It produced by VC Secrets Productions with Merideth Finn and Michele Weiss who also executive produced Lifetime movies Flowers in the Attic and Petals on the Wind.[6] The leading roles were cast with Brec Bassinger as Dawn and Donna Mills as her wicked grandmother Lillian Cutler. Fran Drescher, Joey McIntyre, Jesse Metcalfe, Khobe Clarke, Jason Cermak, Miranda Frigon, Elyse Maloway, Dane Schioler, Corey Woods and Helena Marie round out cast.[6][7]

Reception

The first film received average reviews from critics, who noted Mills and Bassinger's performances. Joel Keller from Decider wrote in his review: "While it’s tempting to give V.C. Andrews’ Dawn a recommendation just on the strength of the performances of Mills and Bassinger, the rest of the first episode is cheaply made with an underbaked story and clunky dialogue."[8] Jasmine Blu from the TV Fanatic give it the positive review praising performances: "Bassinger had a daunting task ahead of her playing off against the iconic Donna Mills, but damn if she didn't hold her own!"[9]

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"Dawn"Linda-Lisa HayterRichard BlaneyJuly 8, 2023 (2023-07-08)
22"Secrets of the Morning"Linda-Lisa HayterRichard Blaney and Gregory SmallJuly 15, 2023 (2023-07-15)
33"Twilight's Child"Jacquie GouldRichard Blaney and Gregory SmallJuly 22, 2023 (2023-07-22)
44"Midnight Whispers"Jacquie GouldAlison Lea BingemanJuly 29, 2023 (2023-07-29)

References

  1. ^ "Donna Mills got rare opportunity with 'Dawn'". July 5, 2023.
  2. ^ Elliott, Megan (June 25, 2023). "'V.C. Andrews' Dawn': Premiere Date, Cast, and More for Lifetime Limited Series".
  3. ^ "Dawn: Lifetime Schedules Latest V.C. Andrews Limited Series, and the Cast is Perfection". TV Fanatic. May 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Butler, Karen (September 16, 2022). "Donna Mills, Fran Drescher to star in Lifetime's next V.C. Andrews project". United Press International.
  5. ^ Pavlica, Carissa (September 15, 2022). "Lifetime Announces V.C. Andrews Dawn Cutler Series Starring Brec Bassinger, Donna Mills & More!". TV Fanatic.
  6. ^ a b Petski, Denise (September 15, 2022). "Brec Bassinger & Donna Mills To Lead Cast Of Lifetime's 'V.C. Andrews Dawn Cutler Series'". Deadline Hollywood.
  7. ^ Taylor, Amanda (September 15, 2022). "Joey McIntyre, Donna Mills and Fran Drescher to Star in Lifetime's Latest V.C. Andrews Tale: Dawn". People.
  8. ^ "'V.C. Andrews' Dawn' Lifetime Review: Stream It Or Skip It?".
  9. ^ "V.C. Andrews' Dawn Review: Cutthroat Cutlers, Granny Dearest & Sexy Bro Woes". TV Fanatic. July 8, 2023.