Lifetime to air five new movies based on V.C. Andrews' books

Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Lifetime said it plans to air this year five movies based on V.C Andrews' Casteel family gothic novels.

"The movie event series follows Heaven Casteel and her siblings after their father devises a scheme that threatens to destroy their dreams and separate the family forever," a press release from the cable network said.

Heaven, which was filmed last year, stars Annalise Basso, Julie Benz, Chris William Martin and Chris McNally.

"I was a big fan of VC Andrews books when I was young.. So it was a huge thrill for me to play Kitty in the "Heaven" series," Benz tweeted.

Basso and Martin returned for the second and third films, Dark Angel and Fallen Hearts, joined by Jason Priestley and Kelly Rutherford. Those movies are in production, with Priestley directing Fallen Hearts.

Priestley will also star in Gates of Paradise opposite Daphne Zuniga.

Lizzie Boys and Keenan Tracey have been cast in Gates of Paradise and Web of Dreams, which are also filming now.

Best known for her Flowers in the Attic and My Sweet Audrina novel series, Andrews died of breast cancer in 1986 at age 63. Andrew Neiderman has continued writing books under Andrews' name ever since.