Major Cast Announced for Lifetime Original Movie "The 19th Wife"  6/19/10

CHYLER LEIGH, MATT CZUCHRY AND PATRICIA WETTIG TO STAR IN LIFETIME ORIGINAL MOVIE THE 19TH WIFE

Drama Based on David Ebershoff's Best-Selling Novel About Polygamy to Premiere on Number One Women's Network This Fall

LOS ANGELES California - Chyler Leigh (Grey's Anatomy), Matt Czuchry (The Good Wife) and Patricia Wettig (Brothers & Sisters) have been cast to star in the upcoming Lifetime Original Movie The 19th Wife, it was announced today by Tanya Lopez, Senior Vice President of Original Movies, Lifetime Networks. The film, from Sony Pictures Television, is based on David Ebershoff's New York Times best-selling novel that takes an inside look at the secret world of polygamy. The 19th Wife will premiere on Lifetime in the fall.

The film follows "19th Wife" and fundamentalist sect "First Church of Latter Day Saints" member BeckyLyn (Wettig), who is accused of killing her husband. Queenie (Leigh), another wife in the sect, doesn't believe BeckyLyn is capable of such violence and, desperate to prove her innocence, reaches out to her excommunicated son Jordan (Czuchry) for help in freeing his mother. But when Queenie and Jordan start asking questions about the fateful night of the murder, they quickly see all is not what it seems -- putting their own lives at risk.

"I'm looking forward to seeing the characters from David Ebershoff's amazing novel about family bonds and secrets come to life with the talents of these emerging and seasoned actors," said Lopez. "Chyler Leigh, Matt Czuchry and Patricia Wettig are all currently starring in some of the most successful dramas on television which will resonate strongly with our viewers. The 19th Wife will be an exciting production on all levels."

The movie will be executive produced by Barbara Lieberman (Lifetime's Lying to be Perfect) and Andrea Baynes (Sex and the Single Mom). Rod Holcomb (The Good Wife) will direct the teleplay by Richard Friedenberg (James Patterson's Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas). Sony Pictures Television will produce.

Source: Lifetime Press Release