Exclusive: T.D. Jakes On Producing Lifetime Films ‘Lust’ & ‘Envy’
Premiering on Lifetime this week is the first of two films from producer T.D. Jakes - Lust: A Seven Deadly Sins Story (April 10th at 8pm ET/PT) and stars Keri Hilson, Tobias Truvillion & Durrell ‘Tank’ Babbs. With Special appearances by Ms. Juicy, LeToya Luckett, and Clifton Powell. Envy: A Seven Deadly Sins Story debuts April 17th at 8pm ET/PT and stars Serayah, Rose Rollins and Kandi Burruss. With special appearances by Donovan Christie Jr., Gregory Alan Williams, Da Brat, DC Young Fly, Clifton Powell and Hosea Chanchez.
Jakes has had a successful partnership of Lifetime with films such as Faith Under Fire and I Am Somebody’s Child. Both Lust and Envy are based on two books from the Seven Deadly Sins anthology by Victoria Christopher Murray.
Lust: A Seven Deadly Sins Story is a grounded morality tale that explores the power of lust, but at what cost? Tiffanie Cooper (Keri Hilson) is about to have the wedding of her dreams to her soul mate, the dashing Damon King (Tobias Truvillion), founder of King Enterprises. But when Damon’s old friend Trey Taylor (Durrell ‘Tank’ Babbs) arrives, fresh from prison to step in as Damon’s best man, Tiffanie’s whole world gets rocked. Sexy and mysterious, Trey triggers a passion in Tiffanie that she never expected, and suddenly the life she’s always planned with Damon is uncertain. But Trey still carries wounds from his history with Damon, and his intentions toward both Tiffanie and Damon are not to be trusted.
In Envy: A Seven Deadly Sins Story, Gabrielle Flores (Rose Rollins) has it all - a devoted husband, a beautiful daughter, and one of the best PR firms in the country. When Gabrielle’s father suddenly reveals she has a half-sister, Keisha (Serayah), as a result of a brief affair, only-child Gabrielle is delighted to welcome her into her life. But Keisha, who grew up with nothing, wants more than a sisterly bond from Gabrielle—she wants her life, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it.
Bishop T.D. Jakes and Derrick Williams serve as executive producers on both films, alongside TV host, Shaun Robinson, who under the Broader Focus initiative, will executive produce movies for the first time.
BlackFilmandTV.com’s Wilson Morales recently spoke with Jakes on producing both films and if any changes were made in the transition from book to screen.