Gina Gershon is set to star in a new original TV movie for the Lifetime network based on the life of Donatella Versace, the very blonde, very tan vice president and chief designed of the Versace Group.
“House of Versace” will focus on the luxury designer’s rise in the fashion world after her brother’s tragic slaying in 1997. Sara Sugarman (“Vinyl,” “Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen”) will direct from a script by Rama Stagner (“Blue Sky,” “American Dreams”).
Accompanying Gershon in the cast are Raquel Welch (as Lucia), Enrico Colantoni (as Gianni Versace) and Colm Feore (as Santo). The film is based on Wall Street Journal investigative reporter Deborah Balls book “House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival,” which explored Gianni Versace’s murder, Donatella Versace’s drug addiction and the reemergence of the Versace brand.
“House of Versace” premieres October 5 on Lifetime, the latest of its higher profile original biopics that have recently included the Allison Anders-directed June Carter Cash film “Ring of Fire” and Mary Harron’s “Anna Nicole.” After the film, Lifetime will air the hourlong Gianni-centric documentary “Versace: Beyond the Headlines,” from CBS EYE productions.
