Sarah Drew And Eric Johnson To Headline Lifetime’s ‘When I Said I Do’

EXCLUSIVE: Sarah Drew (Mistletoe Murders, Grey’s Anatomy) and Eric Johnson (Vikings, Fifty Shades franchise) will headline the upcoming Lifetime movie When I Said I Do (working title), inspired by the song of the same name from Clint and Lisa Hartman Black. The project was announced to be in the works at the network’s Upfronts presentation last month.

The Blacks will executive produce and appear in When I Said I Do, which premieres on May 23 at 8/7c as part of the network’s upcoming spring Love of a Lifetime original movie slate.

Drew stars as Ali Corley, a widowed search-and-rescue K-9 handler who has rebuilt her life after losing her husband in the line of duty. Devoted to her family and her high-risk career, she’s reluctant to open her heart again — until she meets Shawn Willis (Johnson), a quiet, steadfast rescue specialist with a past of his own. As their connection deepens into something real and healing, they are forced to confront grief and fear — and discover whether they have the courage to choose love again.

Black and Hartman Black also appear as themselves, hosting a relationship podcast that plays a meaningful role in shaping the characters’ emotional journey.

“Lisa and I are very proud to bring our song to Lifetime and to develop a love story we hope viewers relate to and enjoy. We know our fans have followed our love story all these many years, and we’re thrilled to share a song that expresses the values and principles that have guided us in our marriage,” said Black.

Mary J. Blige and Toni Braxton have also collaborated with the network to bring their songs to life. Blige recently expanded her relationship with Lifetime with a three-picture deal to adapt three songs into movies. Her first project to emerge from the deal is Be Happy, inspired by her 1994 song of the same name off the hit second studio album “My Life.” It stars Tisha Campbell, Mekhi Phifer, and Russell Hornsby, with  Gabourey Sidibe making her debut as director.

When I Said I Do is produced by Caitlin Delaney of Magic Motion Media in association with ITV America Nashville and Happy Accidents. Alongside the Blacks, Adam Reed executive produced for ITV America, as well as Holly Hines and Eric Jarboe for Happy Accidents. Stefan Brogren directs from a screenplay by Bart Baker.

Drew is represented by Innovative Artists, Vault Entertainment and Yorn, Levine. Johnson is represented by Anonymous Content and Gary Goddard Agency.