Lifetime’s Flowers in the Attic: The Origin limited prequel series is based on Garden of Shadows by V.C. Andrews ghostwriter Andrew Neiderm and delves into the twisted history of the Foxworth family. The official trailer opens with Olivia Winfield begging the audience to listen to her story and judge her, if you dare. Oh, there will definitely be judgement passed down, Olivia.
The limited series will premiere as the finale event of the ATX TV Festival on June 5, 2022. A release on Lifetime follows on July 9th, with the four-part prequel debuting new episodes on consecutive Saturdays. The limited series wraps up on July 30th.
Lifetime obtained the rights and licenses to V.C. Andrews’ catalog and A&E’s already adapted Andrews’ popular novels into 18 films. Andrews’ novels have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide.
Flowers in the Attic: The Origin was written by executive producer Paul Sciarrotta, Amy Rardin, and Connor Good. Jennie Snyder Urman, Joanna Klein, Dan Angel, RubyRock Pictures’ Zoë Rocha, and Aquarius Content’s Gary Pearl also serve as executive producers. Executive producer Declan O’Dwyer directed parts one and two, with Robin Sheppard directing parts three and four.
The prequel is an A+E Studios production in association with Sutton St. Productions and CBS Studios.
Lifetime’s trailer and premiere date announcement was accompanied by details on the prequel’s four parts along with cast and character descriptions:
The premium series stars Jemima Rooper as Olivia Winfield Foxworth and Max Irons as Malcolm Foxworth, parents to Corinne Foxworth and grandparents to Cathy and Chris Dollanganger. Hannah Dodd stars as Olivia’s daughter, Corinne; while T’Shan Williams takes on the role Foxworth Hall’s longtime staff member and Olivia’s observant housekeeper, Nella Jennings. Kate Mulgrew plays Mrs. Steiner, Malcolm’s loyal house manager and head of the Foxworth Hall staff. Kelsey Grammer portrays Malcolm’s illustrious father Garland Foxworth, who is married to new wife Alicia, played by Alana Boden.
Paul Wesley stars as John Amos, Olivia’s cousin whose revelations change her life forever. Callum Kerr stars as Christopher, a close relative of the Foxworth family whose life will be eternally intertwined with Corinne’s from the moment they set eyes on each other. Luke Fetherston and Buck Braithwaite star as Malcolm and Olivia’s sons Joel Foxworth and Mal Foxworth, respectively.
Flowers in the Attic: The Origin tells the story of the headstrong and determined Olivia Winfield (Rooper) who is working alongside her beloved father, Mr. Winfield (Hamlin), when she finds herself unexpectedly wooed by one of the nation’s most eligible bachelors, Malcolm Foxworth (Irons). After a whirlwind romance, Olivia finds herself as the mistress of the imposing Foxworth Hall, where she soon discovers that the fairytale life she expected has quickly become a nightmare.
Under Malcolm’s debonair exterior lies a dark heart, and a twisted evil lurks inside Foxworth Hall that will threaten Olivia’s happiness and that of her children. Her attempts to keep them all safe ultimately push Olivia to become to most terrifying version of herself, leading to her inevitable — and notorious — decision to lock her grandchildren in the attic…
Part 1, airing July 9 at 8/7c, introduces Olivia Winfield as she gives up her career, her home, and her name to become Mrs. Malcolm Foxworth, the wife of the nation’s richest man. Leaving behind her father, when she arrives at her new home, Olivia soon realizes that life at Foxworth Hall is far from the fairytale she imagined it would be and begins to question the choices that led her down this path of eventual destruction.
Part 2, airing July 16 at 8/7c: As Olivia and Malcolm’s family grows in unexpected and questionable ways, she is committed to giving them a childhood full of joy and safety, no matter the cost. However, her efforts prove to be futile as she battles the evils of Foxworth Hall, and her husband’s twisted obsession over a family secret severs their relationship even further.
Part 3, airing July 23 at 8/7c: After a devastating and unimaginable loss that will haunt her for the rest of time, Olivia finds both her son and daughter in forbidden relationships. She opposes their unions, but as she tries to hold on, more destruction finds her and pushes her further to her breaking point. Finally, blood is on her hands as an old foe’s fate waits to be revealed.
Part 4, airing July 30 at 8/7c: After losing all her children due to tragedy and tension, Olivia’s newfound religious beliefs instilled in her by her cousin, and her desire to wreak vengeance on those around her, drives her to become the most notorious and terrifying version of herself; a woman capable of locking her grandchildren in the attic upon the return of her daughter after tragedy strikes the family once again…
