{"id":73457,"date":"2015-10-07T17:26:33","date_gmt":"2015-10-07T17:26:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2015\/10\/07\/malinda-williams-victoria-rowell-start-production-on-ups-a-baby-for-christmas\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T03:38:20","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T03:38:20","slug":"malinda-williams-victoria-rowell-start-production-on-ups-a-baby-for-christmas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/malinda-williams-victoria-rowell-start-production-on-ups-a-baby-for-christmas\/","title":{"rendered":"Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell Start Production On UP’s A Baby for Christmas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Malinda Williams, Victoria Rowell, Kristoff St. John Start Production On UP’s A Baby for Christmas<\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

October 7, 2015<\/p>\n

\"UpTV\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Production began this week in Atlanta on the UP Original Movie A Baby for Christmas<\/strong>, a romantic comedy starring Malinda Williams<\/strong> (UP\u2019s Marry US For Christmas, \u201cSoul Food\u201d) and Victoria Rowell<\/strong> (UP\u2019s Marry Me for Christmas, \u201cThe Young and the Restless\u201d) and Karon Riley<\/strong> (UP\u2019s Marry US For Christmas, 35 and Ticking). Building on the popularity of UP\u2019s highly successfully Marry Me for Christmas movie franchise, A Baby for Christmas will premiere exclusively on UP on Sunday, December 13 at 7 p.m. EST.<\/strong> as part of UP\u2019s \u201cEverything you Love About Christmas\u201d annual Christmas programming slate.<\/p>\n

\"Malinda<\/a><\/p>\n

The film reunites the ensemble cast which includes GregAlan Williams<\/strong> (\u201cNecessary Roughness,\u201d \u201cThe West Wing\u201d), Chrystale Wilson<\/strong> (Marry US For Christmas, \u201cFor Richer or Poorer\u201d), DeEtta West<\/strong> (UP\u2019s Lyfe\u2019s Journey and Marry US for Christmas) Clifton Powell<\/strong> (Ray, Norbitt) and Kristoff St. John<\/strong> (20 Ft Below: The Darkness Descending, \u201cFamily Time\u201d), Rowell\u2019s long-time \u201cThe Young and the Restless\u201d co-star. A Baby for Christmas is produced by Atlanta-based Swirl Films from a script by Rhonda Freeman-Baraka<\/strong> (UP\u2019s Marry Me for Christmas, Marry US for Christmas), who will make her directorial debut.<\/p>\n

\"Marry<\/a><\/p>\n

This Christmas, the Chandler family, much to Stephanie’s (Victoria Rowell) dismay, seem to be distracted from the usual family holiday traditions. Marci (Malinda Williams) and Blair (Karon Riley), who tied the knot in last year\u2019s Marry US For Christmas<\/strong>, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child due on Christmas day. The couple is doing everything in their power to ensure that they have the perfect baby girl – from meditation to changing their eating habits. Work-wise, Marci is trying to juggle impending motherhood with meeting the demands of her top client, Friendly Family Floral. Blair is back to running his own firm. Money is tight but he and Marci are happy and eagerly awaiting the arrival of their little bundle of joy. Meanwhile, Marci\u2019s Aunt Myra (DeEtta West) and Uncle Donald (GregAlan Williams), who recently retired, are feeling useless. Eventually they find a meaningful way to occupy their time at the urging of Donald\u2019s cousin, Gavin Brooks (Clifton Powell). Aunt Elizabeth (Chrystale Wilson) is obsessed with getting a promotion at work. Add to the mix, Stephanie\u2019s blooming romance with Lawrence (Kristoff St. John) \u2013 who is torn between being with her or continuing his mission work. It appears the Chandler\u2019s have abandoned their Christmas traditions and lost the spirit of Christmas. That is, until a group of kids at an orphanage helps the family to realize there is more to Christmas than wrapping gifts and baking cookies.<\/p>\n

\"Rhonda<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a joy to bring the heart-warming Chandler family back this year with another magical story about love, family and Christmas,\u201d<\/strong> said Barbara Fisher, svp, original programming, UP. \u201cThe chemistry between this talented ensemble cast brilliantly shines in a story packed with wonderful funny moments as the Chandler family deals with a frenetic Christmas season. The third in this beloved series of films will be one of the many highlights of our \u2018Everything You Love About Christmas\u2019 programming.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the best times I\u2019ve ever had on a movie set have been with the cast of the UP\u2019s Marry Me for Christmas franchise,\u201d<\/strong> said Baraka. \u201cMaking my directorial debut with the third installment of this series and directing what I sincerely believe to be one of the best casts to ever appear on TV is beyond exciting! Can\u2019t wait to see the magic unfold \u2014 again!”<\/strong><\/p>\n

UP\u2019s Marry Me for Christmas franchise includes Marry Me for Christmas<\/strong> and Marry US for Christmas<\/strong> both of which set premiere ratings milestones for the network. Both premieres ranked in the top 10 among all ad-supported cable networks in key African American demos for the time period.<\/p>\n