Drama double for Hallmark and Fireworks

Fireworks International has inked multi-territory deals with the Hallmark Channel for two mini-series – Blonde (2×120') and Guilty Hearts (2×120')

The Hallmark Channel picked up Blonde, which aired last month during the May Sweeps on CBS, for Latin America, Australia, Asia, Israel, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Middle East and Russia.

Budgeted at US$17m, Blonde is based on the best-selling novel of the same title by Joyce Carol Oates and combines fact with fiction to chronicle Norma Jeane Baker’s troubled rise to become cultural icon Marilyn Monroe.

Veteran scriptwriter Joyce Eliason (The Last Don) adapted the novel, Joyce Chopra is director and Robert Greenwald is executive producer. Poppy Montgomery (NYPD Blue, Relativity, The Other Sister) stars as Norma Jeane/Marilyn Monroe.

The Hallmark Channel has also acquired Firework’s crime thriller Guilty Hearts for Latin America. It is a tense mini-series based on a real-life story from producer Dan Wigutow (Fatal Vision, Blind Faith, In a Child’s Name).

Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden stars as an unhappy wife, dedicated mother and faithful churchgoer. An affair with the local physician who is a revered elder in her church turns dark when his wife is found murdered.

Also featuring Treat Williams and Olympia Dukakis, Guilty Hearts is set to air on CBS next season.