Hallmark Channel Bringing New Series, ‘The Chicken Sisters’ To Life Starring Wendie Malick. Announced via Instagram and through an exclusive with Variety, we have learned that Hallmark would be adding another series to their slate.
The channel already has two hit series When Calls The Heart and The Way Home. ‘The Chicken Sisters’ would be a welcome addition, as the other series are incredibly popular and very well done. When Calls The Heart was just renewed for a 12th season and we know that The Way Home was renewed for a third season.
The Chicken Sisters is a bestselling 2020 novel by KJ Dell-Antonia. It was a selection of Reese’s Book Club. This would be an original television series based on the novel.
From Variety: Annie Mebane is set as both executive producer and showrunner of the eight-episode series, in production now and set to air later this year. The cast includes Schuyler Fisk, Genevieve Angelson, Lea Thompson, and Wendie Malick.
“The Chicken Sisters,” a family drama with southern charm and romance, is set in the fictional town of Merinac, “where a generations-old rift between dueling fried chicken restaurants – Mimi’s and Frannie’s – has left the founders’ families fractured and the locals taking sides.” When a popular cooking show comes to town, things get more complicated as sparks begin to fly and secrets are uncovered.
“Annie Mebane blew us away with her vision for ‘The Chicken Sisters’ — her unique spin and enthusiasm for this fried chicken feud had us excited from day one,” says Lisa Hamilton Daly, EVP of programming, at Hallmark Media. “And talk about a dream cast! Schuyler, Genevieve, Lea and Wendie are the perfect actors to lead this witty and heartfelt story. We are confident that each episode is going leave our viewers craving more and more.”
Mebane adds, “When I read ‘The Chicken Sisters’ by KJ Dell’Antonia, I fell in love with these characters. On the surface, the show is about two restaurants competing on a reality show, but it’s about the baggage we pass down through the generations and learning to unpack it. I love telling this multigenerational story focused on women: their frustrations, their desires, and ultimately, their healing. We’ve assembled an incredible cast, and we can’t wait to welcome audiences to Merinac.”
“The Chicken Sisters” is from Fox Entertainment’s MarVista Entertainment in association with Lighthouse Pictures and Busy B Entertainment. Fox Entertainment Global will handle international distribution. Executive producers include Mebane, Bradley Gardner, Larry Grimaldi, Ani Kevork, Hannah Pillemer, Fernando Szew, Shawn Williamson and Jamie Goehring.
We are very excited by this news. The book is a delight and Hallmark’s track record with television series is proven. Let us know if you are looking forward to this or would like to see something else.
