<< back                                                 May 23 2005 The Hollywood Reporter
Author: Kimberly Speight

Just a week after the series finale of "Everybody Loves Raymond" aired, co-star Patricia Heaton is lining up her next project.

TNT confirmed that the actress is in final negotiations to star in the cable network's movie "The Engagement Ring," a romantic comedy/drama in the vein of "Moonstruck."

In the story, a engagement ring lost 50 years ago leads to a breakup between two childhood sweethearts who remain resentful neighbors after each inherits neighboring wineries. Now, the woman's daughter (Heaton) and the man's nephew meet over business and find that their growing attraction is hindered by the misunderstandings of the past.

Production is likely to start in August, with the movie set to air during the holidays as a Johnson & Johnson Spotlight Presentation. There is no director attached.

Heaton teamed with TNT to star opposite Jeff Daniels in the network's remake of Neil Simon's "The Goodbye Girl," which aired last year.

The actress has won two Emmys for her role on CBS' "Raymond," the last episode of which aired May 16.