Meghan McCain has shared the trailer for her new Lifetime film project starring Heather Locklear in her comeback role, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff: The Kristine Carlson Story.
The film, which is based on the book Heartbroken Open by Kristine Carlson, is executive produced by DailyMail.com columnist McCain, 36.
The movie follows Carlson, co-author of the book series Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff with her late husband Dr. Richard Carlson, and her struggles to come terms with his sudden death.
Heather, 59, plays Carlson in what is her first significant on-screen role since 2017.
Heartfelt story: Meghan McCain has shared the trailer for her new Lifetime film project starring Heather Locklear in her comeback role, Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff
Credits: The film, which is based on the book Heartbroken Open by Kristine Carlson, is executive produced by DailyMail.com columnist McCain, 36
The trailer begins with the bittersweet revelation that the late Carlson’s books have been ‘flying off’ bookshelves.
‘Right now his books are flying off the shelves,’ a male voice says as video of Carlson, played by Vampire Diaries star Jason MacDonald, signing books for fans flashes on screen. ‘Which sometimes happens when an author dies.’
Carlson’s daughters criticize her for the way she has been coping with their father’s death.
‘Sometimes it feels like dad’s death hasn’t affected you at all!’ one of the girls angrily tells her mother.
Bittersweet: The trailer begins with the revelation that the late Carlson’s books have been ‘flying off the bookshelves’
Grieving: Carlson (played by Heather) smells her late husband’s sweatshirt
But Carlson is attempting to find meaning in the difficult times.
‘All of the things that Richard and I lived by; seek first to understand, make peace with imperfection. Maybe there’s a lesson in all of this?’ she wonders.
And she does her best to support her children throughout the ordeal.
‘We’ll get through this,’ she tells her daughter with an optimistic tone. ‘Because the Carlson women are strong.’
‘It feels like dad’s death hasn’t affected you at all!’: Carlson’s daughters criticize her for the way she has been coping with their father’s death
Highs and lows: Carlson beams with joy as she revels in the good times
‘We’ll get through this’: Despite the tragedy, Carlson is determined to overcome the obstacle
Carlson was just 45 when he passed away from a pulmonary embolism in 2006 when he was just 45 years old, leaving behind and his wife and their two daughters.
Announcing the new gig on Instagram back in July, Meghan opened up about the personal significance of the project, explaining that the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff book series – which began in 1997 – helped her to process her own feelings of loss and grief in the wake of her father senator John McCain’s death from brain cancer in 2018.
‘I am beyond excited and honored to be partnering with @lifetimetv and @kristine_carlson to executive produce the legendary “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” book into a Lifetime film with icon @HeatherLocklear starring as Kristine,’ she wrote.
Through thick and thin: Carlson receives a tender hug from one of her girls
Heartbreaking: Carlson was just 45 when he passed away from a pulmonary embolism in 2006 when he was just 45 years old, leaving behind and his wife and their two daughters
Comeback gig: Heather plays Carlson in what is her first significant on-screen role since 2017
‘This book helped me through my own journey in grief and loss with inspiration from Kristine and the “Dont Sweat The Small Stuff” story.
‘I can’t wait to continue on this journey with the creation of this movie and to be given the opportunity to share it with all of you and be a part of the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” family.
‘I know this movie, like the book is going to help and inspire so many people and there is no better time than now for it to be made!’
‘The Carlson women are strong’: Carlson attempts to support her daughters throughout the ordeal
Moved: Announcing the project back in July, Meghan said, ‘This book helped me through my own journey in grief and loss with inspiration from Kristine and the “Dont Sweat The Small Stuff” story’
Moving forward: Heather plays a mother of two grieving the loss of her husband in the upcoming Lifetime movie
News of the project comes after Meghan joined DailyMail.com as a columnist in her first professional media move since quitting The View two months ago after regularly clashing with co-hosts over her conservative views.
In a statement, Meghan said she was looking forward to sharing her opinions ‘without fear of favor.’
The outspoken TV host and writer left the ABC show in July with two years remaining on her contract to move to Washington DC, where she will now write for DailyMail.com.
‘It’s a privilege to join the DailyMail.com team as a columnist. I’ve been an avid reader of the website for many years and have been impressed by its global influence and reach. It truly is a juggernaut.’
Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff premieres October 16 on Lifetime.
Coming soon: Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff premieres October 16 on Lifetime