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October 20, 2004

Sequel to Hallmark’s hit movie to air November 20

‘Love’s Enduring Promise’ based on Janette Oke’s best seller

by Jerry L. Van Marter

LOUISVILLE — “Love’s Enduring Promise,” the sequel to the Hallmark Channel’s highest-rated original movie ever, “Love Comes Softly,” premieres Nov. 20.

      Based on the best-selling novel by Janette Oke, the holiday movie stars January Jones (“Love Actually”) as Missie Davis, a bright and beautiful elementary schoolteacher in the 1880s whose love for the American prairie is matched only by her passion for books.

       When Missie encounters Grant (McKenzie Astin of “How to Deal”), a handsome New England railroad executive, she feels as though she’s met a hero from one of her novels.  But their courtship is complicated by the appearance of “Nate” (Logan Bartholomew of “American Wedding”), a mysterious young man who helps Missie’s family in a time of need. Torn between two worlds, Missie finds herself at a crossroads, forced to choose between the love of two very different men — and two very different futures.

      Jones, Astin and Bartholomew are joined in “Love’s Enduring Promise” by Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff from the original cast of “Love Comes Softly.”

      “Love’s Enduring Promise” is the second installment of an eight-book franchise by Oke, who, in her genre, ranks second in popularity only to Laura Ingalls Wilder of “Little House on the Prairie” fame.  Michael Landon Jr., son of “Little House” producer, director and star Michael Landon, serves as co-writer and director of “Love’s Enduring Promise” as he did for “Love Comes Softly.”

      The films are co-produced by Faith & Values Media, a consortium of religious media organizations that includes the Presbyterian Church (USA).