Download Discussion Guide

The inspirational drama about a young girl’s long road to redemption makes its world television premiere on gmc Saturday, February 18th at 7 PM ET, with encore telecasts 9 and 11 PM.

Based on an original screenplay written by Cas Sigers Beedles and Terri J. Vaughn, A Cross to Bear tells the unflinching and inspiring story of Erica (newcomer Danielle Deadwyler), a would-be dancer with no family connections who finds herself fighting alcoholism and living on the streets with her newborn child after being left by her boyfriend.

One ill-fated night, a tragic event shatters Erica's life. Traumatized and at rock bottom, she finds refuge at the home of Joan (award-winning veteran actress and director Kim Fields) – a former nurse who has dedicated her life to helping women like Erica, Tina (Tamika Tanner) and Fae [NAACP Image Award© nominee Malinda Williams (Idlewild, “Soul Food”)].

Erica struggles to forge a new path for herself. As the cause of her personal hell is revealed, slowly, with the help of Joan’s unique brand of tough love, the friendship of Tina, a former crack baby, and the guidance of other women who have found new beginnings at Joan’s House, Erica finds the will to live and learns the redemptive power of forgiveness.

A Cross to Bear also stars Jackie Long (Soul Men, “Love that Girl!”), and features appearances by Angie Stone (The Fighting Temptations, “Lincoln Heights”), Kenny Lattimore (“The Young and the Restless”), and LeCrae Moore and Karon Riley (“35 and Ticking”). The film is produced by Sigers Beedles, Terri J. Vaughn (“Meet the Browns,” “The Steve Harvey Show”) and Tandria Potts (“As Written: Chrisette Michele”), with Shandra McDonald-Bradford co-producing. Tandria Potts also directs the film.