Lifetime is making its first foray into microdrama. Tides of Temptation, executive produced by Taye Diggs, will premiere July 7 on Microhouse Films, Diggs’ new mobile-first vertical platform launching the same day with six additional titles yet to be revealed.
The series is the first of five vertical projects set as part of a partnership between Lifetime and Microhouse Films, with Tides of Temptation serving as the platform’s tentpole launch title.
Set on the lush Caribbean island of Nevis, the series follows Constance (Mea Wilkerson), a young woman whose life is controlled by her demanding brother Malik and her abusive boyfriend Wes. When ambitious young athlete Jamal (Q Stenline, known as SwagBoyQ) enters her world and confronts the danger around her, everything fractures. As the two fall hard for each other, they quickly realize their dangerous new love could cost them everything.
The series serves as a digital companion to Lifetime’s upcoming film Terry McMillan Presents: Paradise with You, which Diggs also leads and which premieres in the fall. The two projects share a common story world but each stand on their own.
The cast also includes Troy Brookins, David John Craig, Lamon Archey, Apphia Castillo, and Frank Corbie. Gary and Edmund Entin directed from a script by Nanea Miyata with a story by Ejay Jamison. The series is executive produced by Diggs, Shelby Stone, and Autumn Federici, and produced in association with Motion Entertainment, a WPP Media Company, with Chet Fenster also executive producing. Troy Brookins co-produces.
“The next generation of entertainment is being shaped by mobile-first audiences, and Microhouse was created to help lead that evolution,” Diggs said. “We’re building a home for creators and premium storytelling in this space, and Tides of Temptation represents exactly the type of project we want to champion as we launch the platform and begin this partnership with Lifetime.”
“Vertical storytelling represents an exciting new opportunity for Lifetime,” added Elaine Frontain Bryant, executive vice president and head of programming at A&E, Lifetime, and LMN. “Together, we’re creating stories designed for the way audiences are engaging with content today while staying true to the compelling storytelling that defines Lifetime.”
Tides of Temptation premieres July 7 on Microhouse Films.