•• TV movie “Hornet’s Nest” will air at 8 p.m. March 31, according to TNT officials. Sherry Stringfield (“ER”) and Virginia Madsen (“Sideways”) star in the movie, an adaptation of the Charlotte-based novel of the same name by Patricia Cornwell.

“Hornet’s Nest” filmed last December at the StarNews Media newsroom on 17th Street and other Port City locations, such as the New Hanover County courthouse.

The movie features reporter Andy Brazil (Robbie Amell), Police Chief Judy Hammer (Madsen) and her top deputy, Virginia West (Stringfield). The story begins with everyone desperate to solve the latest crisis: a serial killer targeting out-of-town businessmen. Hammer and West make the murder investigation their top priority.

“Hornet’s Nest” will premiere as part of the TNT Mystery Movie Night, the network’s new film series adapted from contemporary crime novels.

•• Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to “The Magic of Belle Isle” once titled “Summer at Dog Dave’s, starring Morgan Freeman, Virginia Madsen, Madeline Carroll, Kenan Thompson and Fred Willard. Greenwood Lake served as Belle Isle during the summer shoot, with residents serving as extras in the film. Rob Reiner directed the drama, which will receive a summer 2012 release in theaters and through Ultra VOD.

In an effort to tap into his original talent, Monte Wildhorn (Morgan Freeman), a wheelchair-bound authormoves to a rural town – a Belle Isle cabin, where he befriends a single mother (Virginia Madsen) and her three kids, who help reignite his passion for writing.

••  Here’s an exclusive message from Virginia Madsen wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy!!