V.C. Andrews' Dawn


V.C. Andrews' Dawn is an American limited television thriller drama series based on the novel with the same name by V. C. Andrews and directed by Linda-Lisa Hayter. It stars Brec Bassinger as Dawn Longchamp and Donna Mills as her wicked grandmother Lillian Cutler. The series includes four movies: Dawn, Secrets of the Morning, Twilight's Child, and Midnight Whispers. It premiered on Lifetime on July 8, 2023, and aired through July 29.

Cast

''Dawn''

''Secrets of the Morning''

''Twilight's Child''

''Midnight Whispers''

  • Brec Bassinger as Dawn Longchamp aka Eugenia Grace Cutler
  • Megan Best as Christie Longchamp
  • Khobe Clarke as Jimmy Longchamp
  • Clara Alexandrova as Fern
  • Corey Woods as Tricia
  • Sawyer Fraser as Jefferson Longchamp
  • Emrik Lopez as Gavin Longchamp
  • Matthew James Dowden as Bronson Alcott
  • Dane Schioler as Philip Cutler
  • Chelsey Reist as Betty Ann Cutler
  • Dean Redman as Luther
  • Bronwen Smith as Charlotte
  • Joey McIntyre as Michael Sutton
Also starring Helena Marie as Sally Longchamp, Tanja Dixon-Warren as Mrs. Boston, Madeleine Kelders as Mrs. Bradley, and Cheryl Swan as Mrs. Dalton

Production

On September 15, 2022, it was reported that Lifetime and A+E would produce V.C. Andrews's Dawn film series for airing in 2023. It produced by VC Secrets Productions with Merideth Finn and Michele Weiss who also executive produced Lifetime movies Flowers in the Attic and Petals on the Wind. The leading roles were cast with Brec Bassinger as Dawn and Donna Mills as her wicked grandmother Lillian Cutler. Fran Drescher, Joey McIntyre, Jesse Metcalfe, Khobe Clarke, Jason Cermak, Miranda Frigon, Elyse Maloway, Dane Schioler, Corey Woods and Helena Marie round out cast.

Reception

The first film received average reviews from critics, who noted Mills and Bassinger's performances. Joel Keller from Decider wrote in his review: "While it’s tempting to give V.C. Andrews’ Dawn a recommendation just on the strength of the performances of Mills and Bassinger, the rest of the first episode is cheaply made with an underbaked story and clunky dialogue." Jasmine Blu from the TV Fanatic give it the positive review praising performances: "Bassinger had a daunting task ahead of her playing off against the iconic Donna Mills, but damn if she didn't hold her own!"