“Christmas Dilemma”: TV One Taps Essence Atkins For Directorial Debut On Original Holiday Film

Silver Spring, MD – TV One’s new original holiday film “CHRISTMAS DILEMMA” marks the first project directed by Essence Atkins and builds on the actor’s longstanding relationship with TV One. As an actor, Atkins’ TV One credits include original films such as “Girlfriend’s Getaway” and its sequel, along with “Coins For Christmas,” and “Coins For Love.” Filmed in Atlanta, the movie stars BJ Britt (Being Mary Jane, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Brittany Hall (Ballers, Satisfaction), Carl Anthony Payne II (Martin, 5th Ward), and Christopher B. Duncan (Black Lightning, The Jamie Foxx Show). The premiere date is set for Sunday, December 6, 2020, at 7 pm ET/ 6C with an immediate encore at 9 pm ET/ 8C.

“I am blessed to have the opportunity to collaborate with TV One once again to direct my first movie,” remarked Atkins. “I am immeasurably grateful for the opportunity to helm a film that I can declare I’m proud of. This entire experience has taught me so much and was a true delight.”

“CHRISTMAS DILEMMA” follows a newlywed couple Jay (Britt) and Monica (Hall) as they struggle to decide which set of in-laws they should join for their first Christmas. After each pleads their case and even attempts a little trickery, they decide to bypass the guaranteed disappointment of picking one family over the other. Unbeknownst to them, the decision is made for them when their families show up at their home unexpectedly. Drama ensues as the in-laws’ clash, long-lost relatives decide to make an appearance, and Jay’s grandmother joins the holiday festivities accompanied by her caretaker who just happens to be Jay’s gorgeous ex-girlfriend.

“This will undoubtedly be a different kind of holiday, so we thought an offbeat Christmas comedy was the perfect choice,” remarked Robyn Green Arrington, VP Programming and Production. “Additionally, having consistency behind-the-scenes during this unpredictable time was a must, so working long-time production partner, Swirl was a no-brainer. Continuing our tradition of giving deserving and prepared talent an opportunity to diversify, made the decision to have Essence Atkins at the helm of “CHRISTMAS DILEMMA” easy.”

“CHRISTMAS DILEMMA” is produced for TV One by Swirl Films, with Eric G. Tomosunas and COO Robert A. Boyd II, serving as Executive Producers. James Seppelfrick, Ron Robinson, and Keith Neal serve as producers for Swirl Films. For TV One, Jason Ryan is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production, Donyell Kennedy-McCullough is Senior Director of Talent & Casting, and Robyn Greene Arrington is Vice President of Original Programming and Production.

ABOUT CARL ANTHONY PAYNE

Carl Anthony Payne, a successful actor, producer, director, two-time NAACP image Award-winner, and People’s Choice award winner, was born in the small town of Clinton, South Carolina. He began working towards his acting career at a young age by studying at the First All Children’s Theatre, which was an off-Broadway reparatory theatre company. He later attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City. Payne continued his education and training at Howard University in Washington, D.C. Payne is best known for his recurring roles as Theo Huxtable’s best friend “Cockroach” on the ever-popular and classic NBC hit series, The Cosby Show and as “Cole Brown” on the FOX network TV series, MARTIN.

ABOUT BRITTANY HALL

Brittany Hall was born on September 30th in Washington D.C. where she discovered her love for the performing arts. At an early age, she began performing in school plays, community plays, and dance recitals. As a member of her high school theatre group, Brittany wrote her first play which she performed with the group in front of the entire school during the Annual Holiday Rally. In 2009, Brittany was cast in VH1’s hit reality show “Real Chance of Love 2,” where she was given the nickname ‘Hot Wings.’ She appeared on series such as ABC’s “Ravenswood”, BET’s “Being Mary Jane” and a supporting role in VH1’s Drumline 2. In 2017, Brittany joined Season 3 of HBO’s Ballers as Amber. She was upped to series regular for Season 4 and 5. She also appears alongside Sanaa Lathan in Netflix’s original comedy “Nappily Ever After.” In 2018 Brittany founded Actors Play LA, a community organization and training studio for actors located in Hollywood, California. Brittany starred in her first lead role, as well as served as executive producer in “Test Pattern,” a feature film written and directed by Shatara Michelle Ford.

ABOUT BJ BRITT

BJ Britt was born in Wilson, North Carolina, Britt made his television debut in 2003 appearing in the recurring role of Devon Fox in “One Tree Hill.” He is best know for being cast as Agent Antoine Triplett in the ABC series Agents of Shield and Paul Patterson, Jr. in the hit BET series “Being Mary Jane.” Later he joined the cast of the second season of “Unreal” where he played the leading role of The Bachelor. Simultaneously he also played the recurring role of Will Baker in “Pitch” for Fox. Currently, he can be seen recurring on the ABC show “A Million Little Things” as Isaac Martin. Britt has also appeared in other shows such as “Magnum P.I”, “Raising Hope”, “Sons of Anarchy”, “Vampire, Diaries” and “Veronica Mars” amongst others.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER B. DUNCAN

Christopher B. Duncan is from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He received his B.F.A. in Acting from The University of Colorado, Boulder. He also worked with The Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Additional theatre credits include “The Old Settler” at The Pasadena Playhouse for which he received an Ovation Award nomination. “Black Star Line” at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago. “Rosetta Street”, “How The Other Half Loves” and “Equus” at The West Coast Ensemble. He received an NAACP Theatre Award nomination for Best Actor in the Los Angeles Production of “Full Court Press”.

For more information about TV One’s upcoming programming, including original movies, visit the network’s companion website at www.tvone.tv.