Lifetime's Original Movie STEEL MAGNOLIAS to Debut 10/7

The world-premiere of the highly anticipated Lifetime Original Movie Event, STEEL MAGNOLIAS,  is set to debut Sunday, October 7 at 9pm ET/PT on Lifetime. Golden Globe(R) and Grammy(R) Award winner and Academy Award(R) nominee Queen Latifah stars in and executive produces the film, a television adaptation of the iconic play and 1989 film of the same name, reuniting her with producing duo Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, from the Oscar and Golden Globe winning Chicago and Hairspray. Directed by Kenny Leon (A Raisin in the Sun), the film will feature Queen Latifah taking on the role of 'M'Lynn' and starring alongside Tony(R) Award winner Phylicia Rashad as 'Clairee,' Independent Spirit Award nominee Adepero Oduye as 'Annelle,' Tony Award nominee Condola Rashad as 'Shelby,' with Grammy winner Jill Scott as 'Truvy' and Golden Globe and multiple Emmy(R)- winner Alfre Woodard as 'Ouiser,'

Produced by Sony Pictures Television, Steel Magnolias is executive produced by Craig Zadan, Neil Meron, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere (Single Ladies) and Shelby Stone. Leon directs from a script that has been adapted for television by Sally Robinson (Iron Jawed Angels) and is based on the play and screenplay by Robert Harling (The First Wives Club). Steel Magnolias is also a reunion for Zadan, Meron, Rashad and Leon, who last worked together on the critically acclaimed Emmy and Golden Globe nominated Sony TV movie A Raisin in the Sun, which won numerous NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding TV Movie, Miniseries, or DramaticSpecial and Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie, Miniseries, or Dramatic Special for Phylicia Rashad.

In an updated contemporary version of the beloved stage play and 1989 film, Steel Magnolias chronicles the lives and friendship of six women in Louisiana. Supporting each other through their triumphs and tragedies, they congregate at Truvy's beauty shop to ponder the mysteries of life and death, husbands and children - and hair and nails - all the important topics that truly unite and celebrate women.

ABOUT SONY PICTURES TELEVISION

Sony Pictures Television is one of the television industry's leading content providers. It produces and distributes programming in every genre, including series, telefilms, theatrical releases and family entertainment around the world and for every platform: broadcast and cable television, first-run and off- network syndication and digital distribution. In addition to one of the industry's largest libraries of feature films and television shows, SPT boasts a current program slate thatincludes the top-rated daytime dramas and game shows, landmark off-network series, original animated series and critically acclaimed primetime dramas,comedies and telefilms. Internationally, SPT produces 6,000+ hours of programming annually in over 70 countries. SPT is a leader in local language productions, some of which are co-produced with local partners, and sells SPE-owned formats around the world. To better serve its clients and partners worldwide, SPT maintains offices throughout the world, including Argentina,Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the People's Republic of China, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Venezuela and the United Kingdom. SPT's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with 120 channel feeds, which are available in 159 countries reaching more than 543 million households worldwide. SPT also creates original content for and manages SPE's premium video website, Crackle. Additionally, SPT owns Dutch entertainment company 2waytraffic, Production Company Embassy Row and Sony Movie Channel, and is a part owner of cable channel GSN, new 3D channel 3net, FEARnet, the premier horror/thriller website and VOD service, and national media sales company ITN Networks, Inc. SPT advertiser sales is one of the premiere national advertising sales companies, handling the commercial inventory in SPT's syndicated series as well as in all of SPE's digital businesses in the United States. SPT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.

ABOUT LIFETIME

Lifetime Television is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. The network posted major growth in viewership among the key demographics in Second Quarter 2012 versus Second Quarter 2011, posting a 13% jump among Women 18-49, +5% among Adults 18-49 and +1% in Women 25-54. Additionally, among Women 18-49, Lifetime marked the network's strongest 2Q growth in 10 years. Lifetime Television(R), LMN(R), Lifetime Real Women(R) and Lifetime Digital(TM) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of theDisney-ABC Television Group, Hearst Corporation and NBC Universal.

Photo courtesy of Lifetime