Blackout - 2001 - TV

Directed by James Keach

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Credited cast overview:
Jane Seymour .... Kathy Robbins
Corin Nemec .... Eric Sessions
Alexandra Picatto .... Blair Robbins
William Russ .... David Robbins
Erik Knudsen .... Ian Robbins
John Henry Canavan .... Chris

Plot Summary

BLACKOUT, a new television movie starring Jane Seymour ("Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" ), William Russ ("Come On, Get Happy: The Partridge Family" ), Corin Nemec ("Stephen King's The Stand" ) and Alexandra Piccato, was the "CBS Wednesday Movie," Wednesday, Jan. 24 (9:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT). The suspense drama revolves around a mother's frantic efforts to save her children from the hands of a psychotic killer during a terrifying citywide blackout.

Kathy Robbins (Seymour) is a tireless mother and full-time student dedicated to her children. One evening, she agrees to drive her teenage daughter, Blair (Piccato), to Donaldson's department store at the local mall, with her young son in tow. Her husband, David Robbins (Russ), can't join them since he has important business to take care of with his public relations company.

On the way to the mall, Kathy and her children stop off at the post office and encounter an unsettling young man, Erik (Nemec), who is overly attentive to Blair. Overhearing their discussion about their shopping expedition, he casually offers to take Blair to the mall, and Kathy, suspicious of his intentions, informs him that his help is unwanted and unnecessary. Assuming that they have been the last of the creepy Erik, Kathy reluctantly agrees to let Blair head over to the mall alone and meet her there later.

Upon Blair's arrival at the mall, she meets up with some school friends -- and Erik. He seductively flirts with her, but this time around, his actions and his talk about her "overbearing mother" make Blair uncomfortable. Afraid, Blair leaves to meet her mother at Donaldson's.

When they meet up at the register, Kathy insists that Blair try on a dress before paying for it and Blair grudgingly agrees. Moments later, the store is plunged into darkness -- the result of a massive citywide blackout. Terrified, Blair, who is alone in the dressing room, waits for her mother, unaware that Erik is roaming the store, trying to find and capture her.

Hysteria and looting sweep over the store while Kathy frantically calls her husband via cell phone, informing him of their predicament. Finding no immediate way to get to Blair, Kathy and her son beg the security guard for his help, unwittingly making him another victim of Erik's deranged plan.

Yet, Kathy's efforts are in vain -- Erik has masterminded a murderous plan to capture both of her children in a twisted attempt to seek revenge on his own overbearing mother.

Jane Seymour won a Golden Globe Award for her performance in the long-running CBS series "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." She received Emmy Award nominations for her roles in the television mini-series "War and Remembrance" and the limited series "Captains and the Kings." She won an Emmy as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Mini-Series for her portrayal of Maria Callas in "Onassis: The Richest Man Alive." Her feature film credits include the role of Bond girl Solitaire in "Live and Let Die," as well as roles in "Somewhere in Time," "Young Winston" and "Battlestar Galactica." She starred in many television movies including "Yesterday's Children," "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman: The Movie" and "A Marriage of Convenience," all on the Network.

William Russ' numerous feature film credits include "American History X," "Aspen Extreme," "Traces of Red," "Disorganized Crime" and "The Unholy." His television credits include a recurring role on the series Ally McBeal" and numerous movies, including "Come On Get Happy," "The Test of Love," "Replacing Dad," "Access Denied," "Night Sins" and "A Promise to Keep."

Corin Nemec's television credits include the mini-series "The Stand," as well as "The Breakthrough," "My Son Jonny" and "For the Very First Time." He also played the title character in the award-winning television special "What's Alan Watching?" His extensive list of feature film credits includes 'Tucker: A Man and his Dream," Solar Crisis," "Operation Dumbo Drop" and " Drop Zone."

Alexandra Piccato appeared in the lead role in the musical production " Angelina Ballerina" at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles. She also appeared in the independent feature film " Portrait of a Friend" and has co-hosted more than 50 episodes of the " Kidsong's Television Show" on PBS.

BLACKOUT was produced by Once Upon a Time Productions, Catfish Productions and CBS Productions. Stanley M. Brooks ("Behind the Mask," "Too Close For Home") and Joel Fields are the executive producers. Nicholas Tabarrok is the producer. James Keach ("The Stars Fell on Henrietta" and "Enslavement: The Fanny Kimble Story") directed the film from a script by Tom Vaughan ("Cold Feet") and Bill Wells, ("A Crime of Passion," "Promise Kept: The Oksana Baiul Story") based on a story by Wells.