Lifetime will tear through three “Ripped From the Headlines” films this September.
The network has set consecutive debuts for Saturdays in September for (working title) A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story starring Keana Lyn Bastidas, John McLaren and veteran star Marilu Henner on Sept. 13; The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson starring Sam Trammel, Ashley Jones, Brielle Robillard and Steve Byers on Sept. 20; and I Was a Child Bride: the Courtney Stodden Story starring Holly Barrett as Stodden, Doug Savant as her actor husband Doug Hutchinson, and Maggie Lawson as Stodden’s mother, Krista, on Sept. 27.
Lifetime confirmed the below details on the three projects, all of which were inspired by true life tales.
A HUSBAND TO DIE FOR: THE LISA AGUILAR STORY
A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story casts Bastidas as the title character, a newly-married “bright and loving woman” who is expecting her first child with husband Darren, played by McLaren. Their lives seems picture perfect until Lisa discovers that Darren, who had dreams of becoming a professional golfer, is living a dark double life. After she is viciously attacked in her own home and left for dead, Lisa begins to unravel a horrific truth — the man she loved may be responsible. With the help of her grandmother, played by Henner, her parents, and a legal team, Lisa sets out on a journey to protect her child and find justice.
David Weaver (Girl in the Attic) directed from a script by Walter Klenhard (Garage Sale Mystery series). A Husband to Die For was produced by 1Department Entertainment in association with Lighthouse Pictures and Wishing Floor Films with Jameson Parker and Gemma Martini serving as executive producers for Lighthouse Pictures and Danielle von Zerneck for Wishing Floor Films.
Bastidas has starred in The Hardy Boys, McLaren in When Hope Calls, and Henner in dozens of films and TV shows while being best known for the iconic series Taxi.
Bastidas, McLaren and Henner.
Courtesy of Lifetime (3)
THE GIRL WHO SURVIVED: THE ALINA THOMPSON STORY
The Girl Who Survived casts Robillard as the 15-year-old title character, an aspiring model in 1980s Los Angeles who shockingly gets caught in the crosshairs of a dangerous serial killer. Pulling a fast one on her parents, played by Trammell and Jones, Alina sneaks away to an amateur photo casting call where she meets a photographer named William Bradford, played by Byers. Unbeknownst to the teenager, William is a serial killer who is using his charms to lure aspiring young women to secluded photo shoots that end in violence. After they meet, Bradford sets his sights on Alina as his next victim. But thanks to a series of fateful twists — and true to the title — Alina manages to make it out alive.
Michelle Ouellet (Christmas in the Spotlight) directed from a script by Christine Conradt (Pearl in Paradise, Open by Christmas). The Girl Who Survived was produced by Steve Boisvert and Brendan McNeill in association with Studio TF1 America for Lifetime. Pierre David, Tîm Johnson, Meghan Hooper White and Jones served as executive producers.
Robillard has been seen in Endlings, The Lake and The Holiday Shift. Jones has a long list of credits that includes The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, All Rise, True Blood and Major Crimes. Trammell is also a veteran star whose credits include True Blood, Homeland, The Order, Generation, Reckoning and This is Us. Byers’ credits include Slasher, Glow & Darkness, Supergirl, Reign, The Man in High Castle, Smallville and Wild Roses.
Jones, Trammell, Robillard and Byers.
Courtesy of Lifetime (3); Isaiah Trickey/FilmMagic
I WAS A CHILD BRIDE: THE COURTNEY STODDEN STORY
This project is also part of Lifetime’s “I Was / I Am” franchise that spotlights women reclaiming their narratives. I Was a Child Bride follows the controversial story of a then-16-year-old Stodden, played by Barrett, who married 51-year-old actor Hutchinson, played by Savant, in a polarizing union that captivated the media and the public. Encouraged by the dreams of her mother Krista, played by Lawson, Courtney was thrust into the public eye.
Narrated by Stodden herself and told through her perspective, the “deeply personal” biopic chronicles her “controversial and emotionally complex journey,” per Lifetime. Despite the fact that the marriage was widely covered by the celebrity weeklies back in the day, the network made it clear that this is not a “ripped from the tabloids” story but rather “a story of resilience and survival of a young girl coming of age under a harsh public eye whose voice was nearly lost” as well as “an exploration of childhood exploitation, trauma and transformation.”
Veteran producer and director D’Angela Procter (Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story) directed from a script by Kim Barker. MGM Alternative and Safier Entertainment produced the project for Lifetime with Stodden, Jared Safier, Barry Poznick and Kitty Gambel serving as executive producers.
Barrett is best known for a long run on the beloved series Life in Pieces. She’s been seen on Suits, American Housewife, Young Sheldon and Chicago Med. Savant is a veteran star who is known for Melrose Place and Desperate Housewives. Lawson has a long list of credits that include Psych, It’s All Relative, Back in the Game, Two and a Half Men, The Ranch, Lethal Weapon, Santa Clarita Diet and Outmatched.
Stodden, Savant, Barrett and Lawson
Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images; Courtesy of Lifetime (3)