Lifetime Reveals its Extensive Fall 2023 ‘Truly Unbelievable’ Movie Lineup, Showcasing Seven New Original Films Starring Acclaimed Talent. All of these movies were produced earlier this year, and the fall roster includes a significant milestone for Lifetime with its 500th original film, the two-night special event ‘Murdaugh Murders: The Movie,’ featuring Bill Pullman in the role of Alex Murdaugh.
On the surface, Alex Murdaugh is a respected South Carolina attorney, a devoted husband, and father, but hidden beneath the facade is a life entangled in drugs, ultimately leading to murder. This two-part movie will serve as the flagship of the fall lineup, premiering on October 14th and 15th at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CT. The new original movies will all make their debut on Saturdays at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CT from September 16th to October 28th.
Lifetime’s full fall 2023 schedule is below, with more details on each movie:
How She Caught a Killer
Release Date: September 16th
nspired by actual events, the film ‘How She Caught a Killer’ follows rookie detective Linda Murphy, portrayed by Sarah Drew, who has recently graduated from the police academy. She becomes aware of a series of unsolved murders targeting sex workers, thanks to conversations with her superior, detective David Goodman (Eric Keenleyside). Determined to bring the serial killer to justice, Linda teams up with FBI agent Neil Carter, played by Jamall Johnson, and is willing to go undercover to crack the case.
Delilah Hamlin takes on the role of the killer’s first victim, a former sex worker with aspirations of becoming a nurse.
Produced for Lifetime by Suspense Productions and Tiny Riot, the film boasts an executive production team featuring Timothy O. Johnson, Stacy Mandelberg, Jason Egenberg, and Sarah Drew. Robin Hays directs the film based on a script by Yuri Baranovsky and Angela Gulner.
Sarah Drew, known for her previous roles in Lifetime movies such as ‘Stolen By Their Father: The Lizbeth Meredith Story’ (2022), ‘Reindeer Games Homecoming’ (2022), which she also wrote, ‘Twinkle All the Way’ (2019), and ‘Christmas Pen Pals’ (2018), leads the cast.
Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard
Release Date: September 23rd
“Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard” is a gripping true-story-based film that follows the close friendship between Magen (played by Emily Osment, known for her roles in “Young Sheldon,” “The Kominsky Method,” and “Hannah Montana”) and Heidi (portrayed by Anna Hopkins from “The Expanse”). These two friends have shared a bond for over a decade.
The story unfolds when Magen decides to fake her own pregnancy to coincide with Heidi’s real one. She travels from Houston to Austin to support Heidi during her pregnancy journey. However, a few weeks after Heidi gives birth, she mysteriously disappears along with her newborn daughter. This sudden disappearance raises suspicions about Magen’s loyalty and true intentions. Authorities start to believe that she is concealing a dark secret, and as they delve deeper into the investigation, they uncover a web of twisted and elaborate deception. The film also features Ian Lake from “Locke & Key” and Briar Nolet in key roles.
“Stolen Baby: The Murder of Heidi Broussard” is a MarVista Entertainment production for Lifetime. The executive producers include Caitlin Delaney, Shane Boucher, Keith Nietupski, and Larry Grimaldi, with direction by Michelle Ouellet and a script written by Ali Salerno.
Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story
Release Date: 30th September
Barbara Weaver, played by Miranda MacDougall in “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story,” was deeply committed to her husband, children, and faith within their conservative Ohio Amish community. They lived a traditional life devoid of modern conveniences. However, her husband, Eli, portrayed by Luke Macfarlane, harbored forbidden desires as an Amish man. He succumbed to temptations involving both women and technology, maintaining a secret online identity as “Amish Stud” to engage in extramarital relationships. Eli even confided in his mistresses about his sinister desire to end his wife’s life.
When Barbara was discovered dead from a gunshot wound, suspicion immediately fell on Eli. Despite having a solid alibi, investigators stumbled upon a significant clue—a secret cell phone belonging to Eli. Their inquiry ultimately led them to Barb Raber, portrayed by Kirsten Vangsness, a married Conservative Mennonite who had been engaged in an affair with Eli and was conspiring with him to murder his wife.
The responsibility of securing justice for Barbara Weaver now rests with the dedicated detectives investigating the case in “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story.” This gripping narrative is adapted from the book “A Killing in Amish Country: Sex, Betrayal, and a Cold-Blooded Murder” by bestselling authors Gregg Olsen and Rebecca Morris.
The production of “Amish Stud: The Eli Weaver Story” for Lifetime is a collaboration between Stud Productions Inc., Milojo Productions, and Johnson Production Group. Executive producers include Timothy O. Johnson from Johnson Production Group, Laurie Pozmantier, Gregg Olsen, Oliver DeCaigny, Rebecca Morris, and Luke Macfarlane. Jill Goldhand serves as a co-executive producer, and Navid Soofi takes on the role of producer. Stacey Harding directs the film from a screenplay written by Hunter Smith and Kim Izzo.
The cast also includes Brent Stait, Mark Krysko, Clare Filipow, Kara Cubitt, Millan Tesfazgi, Milo Shandel, Dean Paul Gibson, Brad Abramenko, Larry MacDonald, Michael Querin, Ryder Miller, Peter Chao, Nelson Giles, Lilliana Nekrash, and Laura MacDonald.
Buying Back My Daughter
Release Date: October 7th
Murdaugh Murders: The Movie
Release Date: Two-Part Movie Event that airs October 14th & 15th
“Murdaugh Murders: The Movie” delves into the chilling true story of Alex Murdaugh, portrayed by the renowned actor Bill Pullman, known for his roles in “The Sinner” and “Halston.” Alex Murdaugh was convicted in the double homicide of his wife, Maggie, and their son, Paul. The Murdaugh family, a wealthy and influential dynasty in the South Carolina low country for over a century, controlled criminal prosecutions in the state’s 14th circuit district. However, beneath the facade of power, luxury, and formal attire, Alex harbored a multitude of dark secrets.
Even with his considerable influence, Alex couldn’t shield the Murdaugh family’s reputation from being tarnished when Paul was involved in a fatal boating accident that claimed the life of a young girl. While Maggie was consumed by concern for Paul, Alex grappled with a hidden addiction to opioids and the embezzlement of insurance settlements from his own clients to sustain his habit and the family’s extravagant lifestyle. Then, in June 2021, the shocking discovery of Maggie and Paul’s murders shifted the spotlight onto Alex. The narrative took another bizarre turn when an attempt was made on Alex’s life, causing his web of indiscretions and deceit to unravel, ultimately leading to the downfall of his once-charmed existence.
Marking the 500th Original for the Channel, the movie marks an important juncture in the Lifetime Fall 2023 Lineup and also stars Lauren Robek as Maggie Murdaugh, Curtis Tweedie as Paul Murdaugh, and Donovan Stinson as Detective Hume, the investigator working to unravel the mystery behind the murders.
Produced by Murdaugh Productions Inc. in collaboration with Johnson Production Group, the film is helmed by director Greg Beeman, with a script penned by Michael Vickerman. Stacy Mandelberg, Timothy O. Johnson, Jason Ryan, Oliver DeCaigny, and Michael Vickerman serve as executive producers, while Navid Soofi takes on the role of producer.
Bad Romance: The Vicky White Story
Release Date: October 21st
Based on actual events, the film revolves around the life of Vicky White, portrayed by Wendi McLendon-Covey, a solitary corrections officer who finds herself drawn to a prisoner played by Rossif Sutherland. To secure their potential happy ending, she embarks on a daring mission to break him out of prison.
For divorced corrections officer Vicky White, portrayed by McLendon-Covey, each day is a monotonous repetition of the last, akin to the movie “Groundhog Day.” However, her routine takes an unexpected turn when a new inmate named Casey White, played by Sutherland, arrives at her facility. A secret attraction blossoms between them, with Vicky providing Casey with special attention, believing he’s the only man who truly sees her the way she longs to be seen.
As Casey’s impending transfer to a lengthy prison sentence looms, Vicky is pushed to make a daring and risky decision. She resolves to break Casey out of prison, and together, they embark on an eleven-day journey, evading the authorities in pursuit of their freedom. For Vicky, even the potential tragedy awaiting them is a price worth paying for the opportunity to live life to the fullest once again.
An intriguing little entry into the Lifetime Fall 2023 Lineup, “Bad Romance: The Vicky White Story” is produced for Lifetime, with executive producers including Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tom Patricia, Gladys Gonzalez from John Carrabino Management, and Howard Braunstein. Stan Brooks directs the film, which features a script by Gregory Small and Richard Blaney, with Juliette Hagoplan as the movie’s producer. Wendi is represented by UTA manager Gladys Gonzalez and attorney David Krintzman.
Would You Kill for Me? The Mary Bailey Story
Release Date: October 28th
Told from three different perspectives, “Would You Kill for Me? The Mary Bailey Story” delves into the tumultuous relationships among three generations of women: Ella (played by Melissa Joan Hart), her daughter Veronica (portrayed by Olivia Scriven), and her granddaughter Mary (brought to life by Presley Allard), whom she raises on behalf of Veronica. As the story unfolds, Veronica becomes deeply entangled with Willard (played by Connor McMahon) and eventually marries him. However, their lives take a dark turn as Willard’s abusive behavior escalates.
Veronica’s world shatters when her best friend Susan (played by Celina “Spookyboo” Myers) becomes pregnant with Willard’s child, further complicating their already toxic relationship. This turmoil leaves Ella, Mary, and her half-brother Sammy vulnerable to Willard’s alcoholic rampages, and the family lives in constant fear for their safety. The tension culminates in a harrowing night when Willard is fatally shot, but the identity of the trigger-puller remains a mystery until the film’s dramatic conclusion.
Based on the real-life experiences of Mary Elizabeth Bailey, the author of “My Mother’s Soldier,” who was forced to confront unimaginable challenges at the age of 11, “Would You Kill for Me? The Mary Bailey Story” is a gripping production from Mb Ontario Film, Inc. and MB Quebec Film Inc, in association with Johnson Production Group, Inc. Marking the end of the Lifetime Fall 2023 Lineup, producers Brendan McNeill and Steve Boisvert are at the helm, with executive producers including Timothy O. Johnson, Stacy Mandelberg, Pierre David, Roxanne Boisvert, and Melissa Joan Hart. The film is skillfully directed by Simone Stock, with a screenplay by Gregg McBride, adapted from Mary Elizabeth Bailey’s book, “My Mother’s Soldier,” for which she also serves as a consultant on the film.
