Made-for-TV movies were “event television” before that term even existed.

These films took on bold stories, pulled in top-tier talent, and covered issues from nuclear war to domestic violence — sometimes sparking national conversations that kept people talking for weeks.

But as TV evolved, the made-for-TV movie lost its place in the lineup, edged out by reality TV, serialized dramas, and eventually, streaming.

Here’s a look back at the heyday of made-for-TV movies, why they faded, and how they left their mark on today’s TV landscape.

The Golden Age of Made-for-TV Movies

From the 1970s through the ’90s, made-for-TV movies dominated the airwaves.

Networks brought big stories to small screens, delivering gripping dramas that tackled hot-button issues and opened up conversations usually left untouched.

Take The Day After, which aired in 1983, for example. This gut-wrenching look at nuclear war pulled in over 100 million viewers, making it the most-watched TV movie in history.

This movie hit so hard that it sparked a national debate about nuclear policy.

Then there was The Burning Bed, starring Farrah Fawcett, in 1984.

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This movie exposed the harsh realities of domestic violence right in American living rooms and got families talking about a topic usually left unspoken.

These weren’t just movies; they were the kind of TV that brought families together to sit down, watch — and maybe even tackle tough issues together around the dinner table.

And it wasn’t all hard-hitting drama. TV movies spanned every genre.

Horror films like 1973’s Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark told chilling tales of couples plagued by demonic houseguests, while emotional sports dramas like 1971’s Brian’s Song captured the heartbreak of friendship and loss

Brian’s Song, following the bond and challenges between Chicago Bears players Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, brought fans to tears and has become a legendary tearjerker.

Being a Chicagoan and a Bears fan, this story hit especially close to home, even though I only watched it years later.

And then there was V: The Final Battle in 1984, a sci-fi thriller that delivered chills to rival anything in theaters at the time.

These movies didn’t just offer great storytelling — they brought it home for free.

There was no need to shell out for movie tickets and popcorn; you could sit back and watch a high-quality story unfold right in your living room.

Today, though, streaming services and high rental fees have made watching at home more costly, especially for new releases, which are often priced higher than a theater ticket (with popcorn included!).

Cutting the cord doesn’t exactly mean cheap, right?

Back then, though, TV movies were accessible to everyone, making them a staple of family entertainment.

Big Issues and Big Stars

What made these movies stand out? They weren’t afraid to take on real issues.

Hollywood might have been busy with action heroes and blockbusters, but made-for-TV movies tackled topics viewers could relate to — or sometimes feared.

In Sybil, released in 1976, Sally Field delivered a haunting portrayal of a woman with dissociative identity disorder, a performance that transformed the way mental health was depicted on screen.

If you haven’t seen this movie, add it to your list — it’s unforgettable and earned Field a well-deserved Emmy.

TV movies also pulled in some serious talent. The format allowed established actors to take on challenging roles without worrying about box-office sales.

Sally Field, Farrah Fawcett, Hal Holbrook — these stars added weight to stories that resonated deeply with viewers.

The 1972 film That Certain Summer, starring Holbrook and Martin Sheen, tackled homosexuality — a topic that was practically unheard of at the time.

Released in 1970, My Sweet Charlie addressed racial tensions in a way that brought difficult discussions into American homes.

These films dared to address issues still relevant today, even if modern audiences might not realize just how groundbreaking they were for the time.

The Evolution of Miniseries and Beyond

As made-for-TV movies gained popularity, networks realized some stories needed even more room to breathe.

Enter the miniseries: multi-part TV events that let viewers immerse themselves in epic storytelling without the commitment of a full series.

Shows like The Thorn Birds (1983) and Stephen King’s It (1990) captivated viewers over multiple nights, bringing the feel of a full-blown saga into your home.

Watching The Thorn Birds with my grandmother is a memory I’ll never forget. She was a devout Catholic, but even she couldn’t pull herself away from the story of a priest and his forbidden love.

Then there was It, tapping into a collective fear only Stephen King can pull off, and Tim Curry’s Pennywise made sure no one looked at clowns the same way again.

For those who wanted something a little quirkier, campy classics like The Langoliers (1995) found their audience despite — or maybe because of — their weirdness.

And let’s not forget Roots, the groundbreaking 1977 series that redefined what television could accomplish.

Its portrayal of generational trauma and resilience left an indelible mark on audiences and sparked a national conversation on history and identity.

If you haven’t seen it, Roots is a must-watch for its impact alone — a true cultural milestone that changed the landscape of TV forever.

Miniseries like these proved that TV could handle big, complex narratives just as well as movies.

But by the late ’90s and early 2000s, things were changing.

Shows like Twin Peaks and The X-Files brought in serialized storytelling, pulling viewers in with mysteries and long-running plot twists.

Suddenly, the standalone TV movie couldn’t compete with the depth and engagement these shows offered.

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And then came the reality TV boom — or the “horror,” depending on how you look at it.

Shows like Survivor and The Bachelor brought drama and suspense without the production costs of scripted movies.

Networks quickly realized reality shows were cheaper and just as addictive as the made-for-TV movies that used to dominate.

Bit by bit, TV movies lost their spot, edged out by reality TV’s high drama and low production costs.

A Lasting Legacy in Cable and Streaming

As traditional networks turned away from TV movies, cable channels like HBO, Lifetime, and Hallmark stepped in.

HBO was one of the first to dive into the made-for-TV format with gritty, no-holds-barred storytelling.

Hallmark became the go-to for feel-good holiday movies, creating snow-kissed, love-filled escapes perfect for cozy nights inside.

Lifetime, meanwhile, leaned into thrillers and dramas that nodded to classic TV movies, complete with twists, betrayals, and just the right amount of melodrama.

These channels proved that while mainstream networks were moving on, there was still a loyal audience for the format.

Then, streaming services changed the game all over again.

Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime started producing original films that felt like modern twists on classic TV movies.

Bird Box and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before pulled in millions of viewers and proved that standalone, accessible stories still pack a punch.

Streaming revived the spirit of the TV movie but with bigger budgets and fewer limitations.

Thanks to streaming, we’re seeing a revival of the made-for-TV movie in a fresh form.

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Shows like Black Mirror experiment with feature-length episodes that could easily be called modern TV movies.

And as streaming originals keep coming, we’re getting a steady stream of films perfect for at-home viewing — now with all the polish of a Hollywood release.

The golden age of made-for-TV movies may be over, but their legacy is undeniable.

They broke ground on sensitive issues, set the stage for long-form storytelling, and proved that powerful stories didn’t need a theater.

Today’s streaming originals, niche cable channels, and feature-length episodes owe a serious debt to the made-for-TV movie.

These weren’t just fillers in the TV schedule; they were a unique chapter in TV history — one that, for many of us, feels as fresh today as when they first aired.

The good news is that many of these older movies have made their way to streaming in one way or another. Amazon has a surprisingly good number of them, even if you can’t tell where they came from.

And YouTube, the largest platform for “TV” viewing in the world, has users who refuse to give up the ghost on this history. You can search for made-for-TV movies to see for yourself.

Were you around for the glory days of made-for-TV movies? Should the broadcast networks get back into that business? Let us know your thoughts below.

The post Big Stories, Small Screens: The Rise and Fall of Made-for-TV Movies appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Lifetime’s latest thriller, inspired by actual events, will feature the debut of up-and-coming talent Gia De Sauvage in the leading role.

And TV Fanatic was lucky enough to score an exclusive sneak peek of the film!

Lifetime is easing into fall with nonstop thrilling films.

Inspired by actual events, Nightmare in the Desert is another on the agenda that will have viewers on the edge of their seats.

Nightmare in the Desert centers around Shae, a woman who returns to her childhood home after her father passes away.

The tragic death of Shae’s father results in her having to tie up some loose ends with her father’s finances and business, including selling the home.

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All of this brings Shae, accompanied by her boyfriend, to Joshua Tree National Park in the off-hours when she’s not focused on wrapping things up with her late father’s home.

The couple attempts to spend some fun quality time together, clearing their heads with a lovely hike through the park.

Of course, Shae’s boyfriend, Chris, also intends to pop the question to her somewhere along the way.

It all sounds perfect and lovely, except this is a Lifetime thriller, after all, and we have to work toward those happy endings!

Shae and Chris aren’t alone in the park, and there’s someone who has some ulterior motives when it comes to their future together.

Chris has his surprise proposal all planned out, but a mysterious person in the mix is watching the couple from afar and is hellbent on making sure that the proposal never happens.

And there is no line that person won’t cross to ensure to derail Chris’ plan, including taking a life if necessary.

But what’s the motivation behind disrupting a sweet moment?

It may have something to do with Shae’s childhood friend from her past coming into the picture.

Nightmare in the Desert stars Gia De Sauvage, fellow newcomer Tristan J. Watson, and Allen Williamson.

It marks De Sauvage’s first leading role.

The East Hanover, New Jersey native is fairly new to acting.

While her battle with anxiety initially prevented her from pursuing theatrical productions or taking bold risks in her youth, she overcame it and took to acting in college.

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She’s since worked with an acting coach who has inspired her to manage her anxiety and turn it into art, which viewers will see firsthand when they tune into Nightmare in the Desert.

Lifetime famously gives female artists opportunities and a platform to tell impactful stories that matter to women, about women, and for women.

There’s no better place for a young talent like De Sauvage to debut.

Get your first look at De Sauvage as Shae in our exclusive sneak peek.

In our clip, Shae is hiking with her boyfriend, Chris.

They appear to be having a great time and are wrapped up in one another, and Chris is likely awaiting the perfect moment to propose.

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But they’re certainly not alone in the park.

They have a watcher, and he’s not too pleased with what he’s seeing or understanding of Shae’s interest in Chris. But, shockingly, the watcher has a watcher.

Check out the clip!

You can catch Nightmare in the Desert premiering on Lifetime on Saturday, September 15, at 8/7c.

The post Nightmare in the Desert Sneak Peek: Gia De Sauvage Debuts in Thrilling Nail-Biter appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Seriously, kudos to the cast of Lifetime‘s latest “Ripped From the Headlines” contribution because a girl was thoroughly engrossed in this salacious tale of plural marriages and sexy man-of-the-cloth kinks going horribly wrong.

Sister Wife Murder served as a cautionary tale regarding polygamy and often volleyed between a cheesy, overly dramatic but fun thriller and a disturbing, heartbreaking piece.

Matthew Puts The “Daddy” in Daddario … In None of the Fun Ways

They had to know what they were doing, casting handsome, charming, and talented Matthew Daddario.

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It sells the story incredibly well, highlighting the severity of what happened and how easily it escalated.

Because someone conventionally attractive, suave, and deceptively calculating as Caleb is the world’s Apex Predator.

Not to toss around psych jargon, but Caleb was a narcissist with delusions of grandeur who benefitted from pretty privilege. He knew exactly how to lure women in and keep them under his thumb, or rather his “firm hand.”

What was most notable about Caleb was that he knew who to prey on and how it could benefit him.

He entered Chloe’s life as she was still grieving her father’s loss and needing some form of security.

Caleb provided this odd blend of protective boyfriend and paternal security and comfort.

His pearls of wisdom were so hollow and sounded like he was running a pyramid scheme run by Full House‘s Danny Tanner after googling “Bible Stuff.”

Bless his heart, actually; no, not really; he’d need to have one, right?

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But alas, for a young woman easing into Christianity, Caleb connected and got through to Chloe in a way no one else had since her father’s death.

You hate to see it.

Targeting Vulnerable Women: A Tale as Old as Time

Given the similarities between Chloe and Margo, it’s evident that he utilized the same tactics on Chloe and tapped into a similar longing.

He made it his mission to groom younger, lost women who were searching for something and then exploited the hell out of all their vulnerability.

Caleb was the worst!

Daddario, on the other hand, was deliciously sleazy as Caleb.

You could genuinely understand how the initial charm could lure vulnerable women into a relationship before the pretty mask slips back to reveal a truly vile, controlling, violent man.

When that revelation comes to light, it’s seemingly too late, and the women feel trapped.

It isn’t the first time Daddario has played a “bad guy,” but all those subtleties in his performance here were particularly creepy because of how realistic it came across.

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“Calebs” surround you daily, sneak up on you, and do serious damage.

Daddario’s understated performance quietly builds through the film until Caleb slips from pleasant to violent; it’s as jarring as that first slap.

This makes the film more effective and elicits the desired audience reaction.

Dia Nash Is One to Watch as the Strong But Vulnerable Chloe

Admittedly, it took a solid five minutes to adjust to seeing this Copy + Paste of Niecy Nash-Betts.

Some of us have watched Nash Jr. in The Rookie: Feds, but seeing this miniature version of the iconic actress doesn’t get any less jarring.

Are we not supposed to marvel over the fact that she stole her mother’s entire face?

That aside, Dia Nash is a breath of fresh air in this role and was genuinely enjoyable to watch.

One cannot wait to see what’s in store for her in the future, as she can very much hold her own if she continues her acting pursuits and adds more bullet points to her repertoire.

Chloe was instantly an endearing protagonist as you sympathized with her grief and how it led her to church and Caleb, Anna, and Margo.

She sought a sense of community and sanctuary to get herself and her life together.

As a result, she was a genuine and relatable character, someone easy to connect to and understand because, despite her choices leading her down this dark path, you could sympathize with her and them.

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Even when she folded faster than a card table after Game Night (seriously, their sexual relationship happened so quickly, my tea didn’t finish steeping), it never once crossed one’s mind to call out her naivete.

Sure, she got lost in those crystal baby blues, and that jawline that could cut glass, but Caleb filled a void outside of the steamy church romps that made baby Jesus blush.

One of the most standout scenes was Chloe opening up to the group and getting emotional.

It provided the deepest insight yet into Chloe’s emotional state, and that exact moment when her rough exterior cracked, letting viewers in was how Caleb wormed his way in, too.

You knew that things would change for Chloe at that moment, and they did.

House of Horrors and Horrific Attire

Can we talk about that awkward moment when you discover that the pastor you’re having a scandalous affair with is “married” to two other women and wants to marry you, too?

Caleb was collecting wives like Infinity Stones, and wonders will never cease over the audacity of an “ain’t sh*t man.”

Variety was the spice of life, as he somehow smoothed over getting McNasty with Margo during the retreat and convinced Chloe to join his harem.

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Baby girl should’ve done a quick Google search on the polygamy lifestyle to get an idea of what she was signing up for.

Assuredly, she would’ve politely backed out of that mess had she done so.

Admittedly, their wedding was kind of cute with all that handholding with the wives as the First Wife “married” them.

And Chloe looked gorgeous.

Hell, even the picture they all took together was precious.

But she jumped feet first into a House of Horrors with no idea that she was signing up for a twisted wife hierarchy situation, frumpy clothes, housework, and taking care of the communal baby.

And that’s not even including Caleb’s controlling nature reeling its ugly head with the mind games he played with sexytime, pitting the women against each other, and, you know, the horrendously abusive nature.

It’s safe to say God did NOT sanction this foolishness.

I’m pretty sure God’s line is busy whenever Caleb calls, and Caleb simply takes liberties upon himself.

Chloe’s age shone through most once she got into that house and rebelled against everything like a teenager, regardless of the consequences.

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But that’s essentially what saved her, and I was delighted that she never lost that fighting spirit and that youthful quality to question and push against everything unapologetically.

The strength and courage she exuded kept her from submitting and ever accepting this as her new normal.

Pour One Out for Margo

Ashley Dulaney was a delight as Margo.

She succeeded in making this woman so likable and sweet that her death was utterly devastating.

The most endearing moments and displays of sisterhood (minus that yucky sister-wife stuff) were between Chloe and Margo.

You sensed that Margo was filled with excitement that she had someone in that house with her so she wasn’t so isolated and alone, but she was also terrified for Chloe.

Margo didn’t wish that situation on her worst enemy, and what kept her trapped with Caleb and Anna was Maizy.

She also feared she had nowhere else to go because of her troubled past.

If only she could accept that her mother would’ve happily welcomed her back with open arms much sooner.

As the two youngest brought into this disturbing marriage, Margo and Chloe connected over their backgrounds and feeling trapped, but for a bit, they at least had one another.

You could tell that Margo was losing her spirit before Chloe got there, like a wild horse broken and finally tamed.

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However, Chloe brought that spark back in her, and eventually, she was willing to challenge Caleb as well.

A culmination of issues seemed to brew regarding Margo.

Overhearing Caleb’s view of their daughter’s future was certainly the last straw for Margo, but having to listen to Chloe getting abused and seeing another young woman enduring what she had to was a driving force for her.

It was interesting how, through Chloe, she saw that this woman didn’t deserve the situation they were in, and through that, she was slowly realizing that neither did she.

Of course, her tumultuous relationship with Anna was likely another factor.

The film did a great job of subtly pushing Anna as a red herring suspect in Margo’s disappearance and murder.

Pretty People Get Away with Murder (Except This Time)

It was an off element of the film despite all the grace and conflict that Ashley Williams brought to Anna.

Unlike Chloe and Margo, Anna didn’t feel like a fully-fledged character.

They were angling for Serena Joy from The Handmaid’s Tale, but it didn’t quite click.

The thought process was to show the complexities of how women like Anna can be victims and complicit enablers.

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But very little was compelling about how Anna came across as a brainwashed, dutiful wife for most of the film and then came through clutch in the end “because plot.”

Her excitement over the prospect of a new baby was illuminating, if not predictable.

But nothing else about the character resonated, including why she chose to save Chloe over obeying her husband.

She went from the First Wife solid in her faith in God and her husband and seemingly a willful participant may be in it for producing children, to rattled and his undoing.

But it could have translated better with a little insight into her mind.

Nevertheless, Ashley Williams is so endearing as the romantic lead in our favorite fluffy films that it was nice to see her play someone more buttoned up and disturbingly flawed.

Maybe after burying the second wife, whom she barely seemed interested in, and seeing that her husband had gotten increasingly more violent was all it took to knock some sense in her (insensitive pun unintended).

Nevertheless, it was a relief to see that this particular abusive polygamist who danced with the devil got his just deserts.

I guess Caleb wasn’t God’s favorite after all.

Sister Wife Murder certainly wasn’t my absolute favorite in Lifetime’s extensive Ripped From the Headlines repertoire.

Still, it was enjoyable, with a solid (and ridiculously beautiful) cast and an understated tone.

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But now I’m curious about your thoughts, TV Fanatics.

Hit those comments below and let us know if you tuned in, what your thoughts are, and so much more!

The post Sister Wife Murder Review: Nash Thrills & Daddario Delivers Chills appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Well, they aren’t until you find out that your favorite pastor is a polygamist!

It’s the gist of “Sister Wife Murder,” which teases spice, scandal, and a lot of danger!

Polygamy is a Hot Button Topic

Polygamy is on a lot of minds lately, as we see during entire franchises devoted to plural marriages and scandalous news bits.

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And Lifetime never wastes time plunging into the nitty-gritty of it all (or providing us with an exclusive sneak peek)!

We have a delicious cast and an irresistible plot that’ll have us shoveling popcorn in our mouths and relishing all the drama — and murder.

Ripped from the Headlines

It’s another nail-biting Ripped from the Headlines film, but that’s part of the excitement, am I right?

Based on real events, Sister Wife Murder will center on a gorgeous woman seeking a deeper connection with God and a new church home.

Unfortunately, she may get more than she bargained for with that journey.

Dia Nash — who is every bit the spitting image of her multitalented mother, Niecy Nash — plays Chloe, who is barely embarking on her spiritual journey when she attends church for the first time one random Sunday.

Chloe doesn’t anticipate that the devilishly handsome pastor Caleb runs this particular House of the Lord.

It’s a delight to see the impossibly handsome Shadowhunters cast member Matthew Daddario playing a selfish pastor who proclaims that God told him he could be selfish and take on multiple wives.

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Is Collecting Wives God-Approved?

We’re not one to question the Big Guy, but he probably has nothing to do with Caleb collecting wives like Pokemon.

Chloe develops a crush on Caleb and discovers that he’s been seeing another woman behind his wife’s back, or so she thinks.

She’ll quickly learn about Caleb’s lifestyle choices, which you can glimpse in our exclusive sneak peek.

After Chloe learns this secret after meeting his first wife, played by Hallmark alum Ashley Williams, and interacting with his second wife, Margo (Ashley Dulaney), it seems Chloe wants in on some of this action.

The Deadly Results

And, of course, by “action,” we mean a steamy love affair with the man of the soiled cloth, Caleb.

However, becoming part of this plural family may have some deadly results!

If the first look at Chloe and how she approaches Caleb in our sneak peek is any indicator, Chloe is spunky.

And that may bode well for her if she doesn’t want to become a victim!

But who should she be watching out for? It’s hard to say!

We can tell that Caleb is a charmer, and he doesn’t hesitate to bring up Biblical men who had partaken in polygamy.

It mollifies Chloe and challenges what she believes as a fledgling woman of faith.

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Anne is also there to give her two cents on the situation.

Sister Wife Murder premieres Saturday, July 13 at 8/7c on Lifetime!

Hit the comment section below and let us know your thoughts!

The post Sister Wife Murder Sneak Peek: Chloe ‘Confronts’ Pastor Caleb appeared first on TV Fanatic.

It can be Lifetime's specialty to portray the latest in the summer's Ripped From the Headlines slate, which brings forth scandalous love and murder with the Amish Affair.

It's a win for Ryan McPartlin fans, who will see the heartthrob in a whole new light than his usual fare.

As we've learned with many of these Lifetime films, the Amish community is rife with drama and scandal, just like any other.

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In this instance, Amish Affair tells the story of a young woman who falls desperately in love with an Amish leader only to find herself in the worst position possible.

Amid their affair, her beau's ailing wife dies, and suddenly, it's a matter of who could be responsible for her murder with only one suspect in mind.

TV Fanatic was fortunate to score an exclusive sneak peek at the film.

In it, we get a glimpse into Hannah and Aaron's love affair.

They share a special moment with each other out in the woods.

As the two have a hot and heavy makeout session in the grass, Hannah's conscience gets the better of her.

She breaks away from him and starts to voice her thoughts about how guilty she feels about this situation.

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For Hannah, all she can think about is that Sarah, Aaron's wife, whom she's been tasked with helping to assist, has been nothing but kind and nice to her.

It makes it a little harder to literally roll around with this woman's husband when she's been so nice, right?

In the clip, Aaron professes to understand how she's feeling about the matter; after all, he's carrying on behind his wife's back with another woman.

But as soothing and charming as he sounds while reassuring Hannah, not a word out of his mouth seems authentic or remorseful.

And those bedroom eyes of his merely suggest he's more than happy to keep carrying on with their sexcapades.

Hannah says she wants to start a family but can't have one with him.

And he lets her know that they can't have a family while Sarah still exists.

He also claims that God is somehow the architect of their lives and actions and that he'll one day bless them with sons.

Good old Aaron suggests that God has given them the stamp of approval to carry out their affair.

But there's something far more insidious beneath the surface as Sarah is positioned as an obstacle between God-sanctioned greatness.

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It doesn't bode well for the woman who will eventually turn up dead, right?

Mackenize Cardwell and Ryan McPartlin star in this scandalous new flick, and we cannot wait to see how it unfolds!

Amish Affair premieres Saturday, July 6 at 8/7c on Lifetime. Until then, check out our exclusive clip below!

The post Amish Affair Sneak Peek: Did God Sanction a Scandalous Affair? appeared first on TV Fanatic.

With its retro vibes and fascinating explorations of mental health and other themes, The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story is compelling.

It's also helmed by a truly dynamic duo, Teri Hatcher and Tahmoh Penikett.

We had the distinct pleasure of hopping on Zoom with Penikett to discuss the importance of this story and the complexities of his role.

The incredibly insightful and passionate star also speaks about his excellent collaboration with Teri Hatcher, the personal inspiration he drew from for his role, and so much more. Check it out!

This is such a fascinating story and film, and I'd love to know how you got involved with this project.

Yeah, it was the typical way. The manager or the agents sent me the script and said they were interested, "Would you take a look? Would you like to read?" It's the normal process.

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I asked who was attached. They said Teri wasn't locked, but they were strongly trying to get Teri Hatcher. And I said, Teri Hatcher?

As actors, one of the things that we are most attracted to is working with people we respect and who are accomplished.

Not always, but if you respect an actor's work, you know they have an excellent reputation, you jump at those opportunities.

We do this because we enjoy the experience of acting with an individual. It's the dance.

It's reciprocal give and take. And when you do it with the best people, it's one of the best highs in the world. And I knew the opportunity to work with Teri would supersede even a bad script. I said, if Teri's doing it, I'm in. I read the script.

I was super encouraged. Very happy. I was like, this is fantastic.

The funny thing is, I hadn't heard about it. So, I researched afterward and discovered how big of a story this was and how relevant it was.

Teri Hatcher is like a television icon. You guys have great chemistry in the film. I was going to ask you about working with her if that chemistry was instant.

I've been very blessed in my career. I've worked with four different Academy Award nominees. I've worked with some Emmy Award winners. Man, it's exciting because you know it will up your game.

There are only two ways about it. They're going to make you better. Or you're going to be left behind.

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I've been doing this for a long time. I say this with humility, but I'm a veteran myself. I jump at the opportunity to work with somebody who is going to impress me, and who is going to be excellent at their job and recognized amongst our peers as excellent at their job.

And Teri is that. She's so accomplished. She's done so many hours of television.

She's such a craftsman. One of my biggest concerns, Jasmine, was that she was coming straight from a project in Europe. She went right into the wardrobe, off the plane, jet-lagged, and they worked her the next day.

Wow!

She went right into it. And as you know, much of the material is very heavy. For an artist, it's difficult. But she just dived right in like a pro.

You can see that veteran mentality with her. She shuts out anything else that doesn't need to be there.

She focuses on the work, and she bangs it out in every take. As an actor, when you see someone commit so much to each scene, they're so invested in telling the truth and being there; it's the best experience because you know that this person is truly passionate about the craft the way you are.

You can get to it and tell the story. I love working with artists like that. I would jump at the opportunity to work with Teri again.

We found some opportunities to get to know each other and have good conversations between all that heavy material.

I love that your passion for the craft comes through when you talk about it.

I also had the pleasure of interviewing Bill Pullman for another Lifetime movie a while back. You say almost the exact same thing about being around other people who elevate you and being able to feed off of each other.

I'm a big fan of Bill and have had the opportunity to work with him. I did a movie with him about 12 years ago. And like a stellar cast. Richard Schiff, Bill Pullman, Marcia Gay Harden, Alfred Molina.

Related: Bill Pullman Reflects On Remarkable Murdaugh Murders Transformation, Fast-Paced Filming & More!

The little old me was number five on the list, and I couldn't believe it. I got to do a lawyer-type story called Innocent with them, and Bill was such a sweetheart.

I am a big fan of his work and love his son's work on Outer Range.

The Killer Inside was very heavy material. You told me how Teri navigated it, but how did you navigate it?

Ed was such an interesting character because he was just so solid, stable, and routine. This situation shook him up, and it's really interesting to see a character like that get put in such an unusual situation.

Yeah. Not to take away anything from committed partners these days, but this story was set during an era when many of those values were prevalent — especially in Wichita, in the South, where many traditional conservative values are much more prevalent.

You're committed. You raise a family together; you work hard.

You're an upstanding contributing individual to your community and a good neighbor, but you keep to yourselves. You don't air your grievances or personal issues to your family or the greater community.

That is the detriment and issue with many of those old values and beliefs. Those aren't good, positive, healthy ways to live.

And for me, as an actor, you try to find things you understand about the character right away as best you can. And you find intuitive things that connect with you right away. Sometimes, you immediately think, " Oh, this guy reminds me of this person."

Related: Would You Kill For Me: Mary Elizabeth Bailey on Healing, Hope & Bringing Her Story to the Small Screen

Ed reminded me of my grandfather on my father's side. I'm Native American on my mother's side, and I'm British Welsh on my father's side.

My grandparents, my dad's parents, are World War II veterans. They went through the war in Britain. My grandfather was an RAF pilot and a bomber.

So he experienced and went through horrendous stuff, but they were married for 62 years.

During the Second World War, people often forget that 60 million people died at the time.

If you do the math for what that would equate to today, we're talking hundreds of millions of people; if there was ever a just war, that was it.

Yet you think about the trauma they experienced, the PTSD, the inability to talk about it, especially British, the English are very similar to the South and those conservative values.

You don't air your stuff. My grandfather was such a committed husband, and he loved his wife so much. They had four wonderful children, survived a world war, and immigrated to Canada.

And this is a very intimate thing that I'm going to share with you, but I'll share it with you a bit.

He was having some issues near the end of his life, just memory issues that happened with a lot of elderly people, but I will never forget how, in a confused moment, the one thing he remembered and the one thing he wanted more than anything was his wife.

Related: 29 TV Characters Who Have Served Their Country

I get emotional even thinking about it, just the way he said it.

I was a young man at the time, but I remember it resonating with me in such a way.

I want that in life. I want to be that committed. I want to find a life partner where, no matter what's happening, there is confusion, duress, or mental illness. I know I've got a partner who has my back and those qualities, that commitment, and that love I wanted to come through in Ed.

You can see in the script that this guy was beyond committed.

He was such a rock. He loved his wife so much and was committed to a fault because he did not give away anything. However, he realized later that there were some things he could not see because of his devotion and commitment to his wife.

I understood at a cerebral and emotional level because of my experience with my grandfather; that was the part of it that I could communicate through this character and by portraying him.

You did that incredibly well. The film is fascinating because, in a way, it's balancing this exploration of trauma with this unorthodox love story, and you're onto something about how dated it is.

Their love isn't something you see anymore in modern romances, that level of commitment.

I love hearing you talk about that because it was one of the instant things I connected to while watching the film.

And how about getting to play around in the 70s? What was that like for you?

I love that era, too. I'm old enough to remember some of it.

I've been doing this for over 20 years as a professional, but wearing the clothes was so familiar and comfortable to me. It was, and I say this humbly, but Teri, everyone said, "God, look at the clothes they got you." They somehow found the most perfect seventies and eighties clothes for me.

Related: Nine Monumental TV Episodes That Changed Television Forever

I also tried to listen to music from that time to get me in the headspace.

It's a very different time. They didn't have the distraction that we have. A significant aspect of this story is the amount of news and press they were listening to, and it was a fraction of the information that we're all taking in today, a fraction.

We are inundated with news and tweets and updates and trauma here and violence here and another war here, another typhoon and a flood, and this many dead… We are overwhelmed that our poor little brains can't handle it.

And yet, we consume it and can't stop. And that is a very interesting part of this story.

It feels grounded and truthful to an era that a lot of people, I believe, who will watch this movie will know because they experienced it like, wow, that really was that way.

It wasn't as distracted. You were more consumed and present with the conflicts and threats that were happening in the story that we are today.

Today, we are so scattered. Again, to your point, part of the reason we don't see examples of that with relationships today is that it's hard to zero in.

We've got children, work, and activities, and then we're all consumed with social media and everything that's going on, being inundated by all these networks and conflicting information. And we don't know what's real or not.

So I really think that's an aspect of this film that people will respond to. They'll drop in; they'll feel grounded. And then we realize and remember an era that wasn't that long ago was very different.

And maybe when we touch on the aspects of trauma and mental health issues, we realize how we've gone in a really bad direction in a lot of ways, but positive in other ways, like specifically not having so much stigma about these issues and talking about it.

Related: 19 Most Moving Mental Health Stories on TV

And yet we're still celebrating and consumed with social media, which has been proven, especially with children and many people, to increase depression and suicide, and it's challenging.

It is.

The film also does a good job of alluding to that. I enjoy the fact that the BTK killer was hovering in the background. You don't usually see many stories that explore the societal, communal impact and trauma that happens to people who aren't directly affected by something like that.

Most films explore the actual killer or specific victims and their families. In contrast, you could feel how scary this collective fear was for the entire community. I thought it was interesting to explore because you don't see that angle often, especially in this era.

Awesome. I'm really happy you enjoyed it. I'm excited for people to see it.

It's an important film.

Related: The Ethics of True Crime: Are Viewers Complicit In an Exploitative Enterprise

I think Lifetime has been so successful in telling stories like these because we live in an era, too, where, unfortunately, to the detriment of independent film and smaller productions, big feature films with massive budgets are the only ones that are really drawing in the audiences as a whole.

But is it affecting them in a way that a personal film, a real story that's based on true events, can affect people?

Maybe not. And that is the beauty of film. That's why we go to see art like this.

People will respond to this one in particular. Lifetime does an excellent job exploring these based on real-event stories, and people need to connect in that way.

I don't want to delve off in a different direction, but I think it has to do with everything. There's a real focus in the media as a whole. There are forces out there that are really trying to divide us all the time.

They're constantly stoking the anger and the bigotry between groups and trying to make us all individuals and demonize other groups. And at the end of the day, we're all humans. And we have more in common than we have differences.

We need to find those aspects in individuals, even if we have different political and religious views. Empathy is lacking today and is impossible to attain through social media. We need to get back to that. Everyone needs to be reminded about that.

This is an era in which we touch on some of those issues. We all need to find common values and love for each other moving forward. It's essential for the survival of humanity, really.

It is. I was going to ask what some of your final thoughts were to entice people to watch, but you've really covered all of it well.

I can't recall if this is your first time working with Lifetime, but I would love to see you join forces with them again.

It's my second. I did a film for them about four years ago. Everyone I've dealt with so far in Lifetime in my two experiences has been fantastic. They've been really respectful to the artists and the craft.

Related: Yoga Teacher Killer: The True Story of Kaitlin Armstrong and Moriah Wilson

I enjoy working with them. They're wonderful. You can tell the caliber of actors and stories they're telling.

It's just a testament to how much people are responding. The audiences are responding to them, and I look forward to hopefully doing more work with them in the future.

— This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story premieres Saturday, June 29 at 8/7c on Lifetime.

The post Tahmoh Penikett on The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story’s Powerful Themes and Collaborating with Teri Hatcher appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Lifetime delivers another "Ripped from the Headlines" film devoted to the tragic murder of a cyclist by a yoga teacher that was deemed the "Love Triangle Murder."

Caity Lotz stars in Yoga Teacher Killer: The Kaitlin Armstrong Story alongside hubby Kyle Schmid, and it certainly illuminates an unsettling tale.

A Perfunctory, Sensationalized Account of a Tragedy

Listen, Caity Lotz is a fantastic actress. She has gifted us incredible performances, particularly as Sara Lance in the entire Arrow Universe.

She was no less affecting as Kaitlin Armstrong, channeling something akin to Lizzy Caplan's performance in the remake of Fatal Attraction.

Related: Are You Ready for SEVEN New Lifetime Movies & A Tragic Documentary?

The film ticked all the boxes of taking us through the highlights, for lack of a better word, of Kaitlin Armstrong's world leading up to her brutally murdering Moriah Wilson and the follow-up as she fled the country, got plastic surgery, got captured, and evaded arrest.

Unlike some other renditions of Lifetime Films, where they deep dive into a fictionalized version of an actual event, this film didn't spend too much time adding any real context to the leading players.

They felt like caricatures, which is an odd statement to make when we know they're all inspired by real-life human beings.

In addition to being a mouthful, Yoga Teacher Killer was so straightforward in its approach that it could have served as a documentary reenactment.

And that's no shade whatsoever to the cast.

Caity Lotz does a lovely job of playing up the unhinged, if you will, nature of Kaitlin Armstrong.

As we know from watching him on Big Sky, Kyle Schmid is just charming enough to make Colin Strickland sympathetic as the root of the friction in a love triangle.

And a criminally underused and underserved Larissa Dias of When Calls the Heart acclaim elicits that twinge of discontent from witnessing a young woman's life robbed from her in her prime.

But it's overall a fascinating conundrum the film faces.

On the one hand, it never leans deeply enough into the sensationalized aspect to be entertaining, even if it does come at the expense of the feelings, sentiments, and truthtelling of the real individuals the film reflects.

On the other hand, it doesn't provide enough context, case facts, or conscious effort to round out the characters and connections to elicit genuine investment in this tragedy.

Related: Lifetime True Crime Movies That Hit the Mark

By toeing that line in between, it falls short of what viewers expect from True Crime on both fronts.

Does Colin Strickland Bear Some Blame in Destroying Two Women's Lives?

The film spins an interesting narrative when it comes to Colin.

What we're led to believe, as was also presented during the Kaitlin Armstrong Trial, is that this murder was motivated by Kaitlin's love for Colin and jealousy over Moriah.

There's enough emphasis on Colin's role in dating both women that the implication is that he inadvertently is the cause of the gruesome murder.

They even dance along the lines of whether his brief relationship with Moriah constitutes cheating.

It's complicated because the film goes out of its way to hold Colin accountable in little ways, including having his best friend end their friendship after the murder and having detectives call him to the carpet for his mishandling of things and the lies.

Related: Jennifer Love Hewitt to Direct and Star in Lifetime Holiday Movie

But in the same breath, the film also goes out of its way to lean into how Kaitlin Armstrong was an unstable woman obsessed with a man and unwilling to let him go or ever call things quits.

It's another instance where they try to cater to both narratives to avoid taking a strong stance, and it simply doesn't work out well for the film and its depiction of this story.

It was evident that Colin was less invested in his relationship with Kaitlin than she was.

He voiced his feelings on where they were and how little they seemed to be working out many times, but it was as if she could not recognize or hear any of it.

Setting aside the eyebrow-raising decade-age difference between Colin and Moriah and their "instant" connection that came across as superficial in its portrayal, she's who he seemed to build a bond with.

From the TV Movie's perspective, his initial intentions were honest: to end things with Kaitilin and see where things could go with Moriah.

But then he comes across as a dick for going on dates with this new woman before he's even moved out of the place he shared with Kaitlin.

He comes across as horribly insensitive when he opts to give things with Kaitlin another go despite their relationship surpassing its expiration date and leaving Moriah in the lurch.

No good can come from engaging in a relationship with someone mere days after they supposedly came out of another.

There is cause to argue that he strings both women along and leads them on.

It's not a good look on him that he continues to spend time with Moriah behind Kaitlin's back and doesn't tell her anything.

Related: Single-Season Shows That Live On In Our Hearts

His intentions likely weren't the purest, so he hangs out with Moriah and changes the name of her contact information on his phone to keep Kaitlin in the dark.

It's evident that he's at least aware that he's doing something wrong; otherwise, there wouldn't have been so much deception in the first place.

But even knowing all of that, it seems patently unfair that there's a narrative of Kaitlin potentially being a perfectly normal, happy woman who got pushed to this point by the actions of her on-and-off-again boyfriend.

It shifts blame to him in a manner that still feels uncomfortable despite him dancing within the lines of infidelity.

Is Kaitlin Armstrong's Treatment a Product of Societal Sexism or Enabling It?

It seemed as if there was a conscious effort to acknowledge some inherent sexism at play with Kaitlin's story.

She was a woman deeply in love with Colin and wanted to start a family and move forward with her life.

Kaitlin's sister implied that Colin had spent years wasting her time, seemingly keeping her in limbo with their relationship, not moving forward or backward.

Kaitlin's biological clock was ticking, and her connection with Colin became deeper simply because she invested so much time in that relationship and wanted something to come from it.

Her desires are perfectly reasonable, yet the intensity of how she displayed them had secondary characters treating her as if she was crazy or "too much."

It's valid to imply that there's some sexism in how people respond to that.

Related: Bridgerton Season Finale Review: Two Weddings and a Butterfly Ball Close Out This Chapter of Delights

But it's also frustrating that she could be seen as even the slightest bit of a victim because some guy led her on, and she didn't have the wherewithal to call him out, recognize that the relationship wasn't meeting her needs, and leave.

She further falls right into the inherent sexism of the love triangle situation by discovering that Colin and Moriah dated while she and he had broken up and opting to hold Moriah accountable for that rather than Colin.

Because the woman is always at fault, right? Isn't that what society teaches us?

Yoga Teacher Killer Plays Heavily into Mental Illness Tropes

From the second we're introduced to Kaitlin Armstrong, the overall sentiment is that she's overwhelming, full-on, and "too much."

Every other shot around her is of people put off by how intense she comes across and reacting to her behaving as if she's just slightly "off."

She's the tired trope of the crazed, obsessive girlfriend who makes her entire personality and existence revolve around loving Colin.

We saw them at the yoga training with her colleagues, who barely managed to be polite as she droned on about herself and her perfect relationship.

She came across as self-absorbed and narcissistic, sending people running in the opposite direction.

Related: Grace Ryder's Shocking Departure: How 9-1-1: Lone Star Might Write Her Out

During her birthday speech to Colin at a party, she focused on how devoted she was to him and their relationship, which had some of their friends side-eyeing her.

We're fed all these bits about how she's "not quite right in the head" and obsessive.

And it colors things in such a way to paint the picture that she's mentally unstable.

It does feel like a cheap shot at those with mental health issues as she heavily falls into the category of a woman viewed as histrionic.

But it's also something about her that largely needs to be addressed despite leaning into it.

The whole thing with her allergies seems a bit off because one can presume the entire point of her supposedly allergic reaction to mango was redirecting everyone's attention to what she preferred.

We saw all the scratches over her torso, which were again referred to as her "allergies" when coupled with her high emotions and anxiety, felt more like a byproduct of whatever mental health issues she was battling.

Of course, the body scratches were also a reference to her scrubbing herself clean obsessively after murdering Moriah in such a cold and calculated manner.

They would volley back and forth between her being a scorned woman and one "off her rocker."

And how Kaitlin was undoubtedly a product of the intersection between problematic mental illness depictions and sexism.

There was a lot of emphasis on her being emotionally unstable and unhinged rather than smart.

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Perhaps that was to sell the idea that she wasn't operating in her right frame of mind when she killed Moriah and proceeded to flee the country after all of that.

But she was also smart enough to evade the cops somehow.

Most of the investigation was puzzling all around.

The paperwork screwup with them spelling her name wrong and getting her date of birth wrong, resulting in invalid warrants, was frustrating.

It didn't make much sense that she could flee the country easily without being flagged anywhere or that law enforcement wasn't keeping tabs on her.

It felt like she escaped the country too easily.

Conversely, the manhunt to find her leading authorities to Costa Rica was intense.

But Kaitlin even getting far enough out of law enforcement's reach when she attempted to flee again during her transfer was also frustrating.

In Yoga Teacher Killer, the Real Victim Disappears from the Narrative

Overall, the film was serviceable, but it feels as if the real victim got lost in the narrative.

Regarding real facts about the case, we know that Moriah Wilson was a rising star, a pro-cyclist headed places with a bright future and many people who adored her.

Related: Prequel Problems: Why Are TV Execs So Fixated On the Past?

But there wasn't enough narrative space in the film for her to feel like her story was being told amid all of this.

We barely had enough scenes with her to connect to this woman and feel the full breadth of her death, loss, and the devastation unleashed on a community.

If this were a work of pure fiction rather than inspired by actual events, she'd come across as a mere plot device.

It's not a thought you'd like to have when watching a film inspired by true events, especially regarding the victim.

Yoga Teacher Killer was serviceable, but it's also a film that will likely slip your mind seconds after the credits roll, which is unfortunate.

Over to you, Lifetime Fanatics.

What were your thoughts on this film? Let's hear them below!

The post Yoga Teacher Killer Falls Short on Depth and Substance Despite Caity Lotz’s Best Efforts appeared first on TV Fanatic.

So who better to direct, produce, and star in a Christmas flick for the network's 2024 It’s a Wonderful Lifetime movie slate?

Deadline reported today that Hewitt will be pulling triple duty on a Yuletide flick with the working title of The Holiday Junkie.

The project is a personal one for Hewitt, as it's inspired in part by her love of the holiday season, as well as the loss of her mother, who passed away in 2012.

Additionally, Hewitt's husband, Brian Hallisay, will be co-starring, and the couple's children will also appear in the film.

“To be able to direct and be in this movie with my husband is such a special opportunity. And to be back home with Lifetime feels as right as Christmas magic!” Hewitt said, in a statement issued to Deadline.

Related: Lifetime True Crime Movies That Hit the Mark

"Jennifer is beloved by Lifetime and our viewers,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP, Head of Programming Genres for A&E, Lifetime and LMN.

“We’re excited to work with her again on this special project near and dear to her and to have it as one of our cornerstones for our It’s a Wonderful Lifetime slate.”

Hewitt will play a woman named Mimi who runs a decorating and party-planning business with her mother.

When Mom passes away just before Christmas, Mimi is forced to take on the busy season by herself for the first time.

Related: The Age of Nostalgia: Why Young Audiences Are Seeking Out Old TV

It's a bit of a bleak premise, but we're guessing Mimi will wind up finding love and happiness by the time the credits roll. Call it a hunch!

Hewitt got her start back in the '90s, with teen-focused fare like Party of Five, Can't Hardly Wait, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

These days, Hewitt is charming a whole new generation with her work on the ABC first responder drama 9-1-1.

Hewitt has a long history with Lifetime, having produced and starred in the network's original movie The Client List back in 2010.

The film was so popular that it spawned a series, which Hewitt also starred in.

This won't be Jennifer's first time behind the camera, as she directed multiple episodes of The Client List and The Ghost Whisperer, a series of hers that ran on CBS from 2005 to 2010.

What do you think, TV fanatics? Are you as excited as we are for Jennifer Live Hewitt's return to the Lifetime network?

Hit the comments section below to share your thoughts!

The post Jennifer Love Hewitt to Direct and Star in Lifetime Christmas Movie The Holiday Junkie appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Someone who has succeeded at that is Elizabeth Smart.

She's not only overcome her experience as an abduction survivor, but she's become a staunch advocate for those like her, and one of many methods is through helping others tell their stories.

And that's where we are with her partnership with Lifetime as she continues to produce some Ripped from the Headlines stories about women and the traumas they've overcome.

The next film on her agenda, executive produced by Smart, is The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story, one of many new upcoming Lifetime movies.

TV Fanatic was fortunate to get the full trailer for the film, and it's as harrowing and disturbing as you can imagine.

If you're not familiar with the story, Tanya Kach was a 14-year-old who was lured away from her school in a Pittsburgh suburb and into the home of a trusted individual.

And that's where she would remain for an entire decade.

Tanya dealt with things that many young teens have faced: bullying, feeling isolated and alone, and vulnerable.

She was considered an at-risk youth who not only faced issues at school when she was picked on and bullied by her peers but had a difficult time at home as well.

And that's when the security guard who monitored her middle school took an interest in her and exploited her.

Tom Hose, the security guard, takes an interest in Tanya and begins grooming her.

Sadly, he succeeds in luring her away from school one day and to his home under the guise of looking out for her.

From the trailer, Tanya appears to turn to Tom when she feels she has nowhere else to go.

We get the impression that she had an altercation with her mother and that the woman turned her away, or Tanya no longer feels like she can stay with her.

It leads her to Tom, where she initially finds some solace.

But as the time goes by, things start to escalate.

He reminds her she can't tell anyone she's staying with him.

He begins to tell her that the only way she can be safe is if he locks her away in an upstairs room, assuring her that it won't be forever.

Except it damn near is!

As the years go by, Tanya is still locked away in that upstairs room, as if she were a princess in a grim fairytale.

We're treated to a montage as the years flash by: one, two, five, and up to ten.

After an entire decade, Tom is comfortable believing that Tanya has finally accepted her fate and she won't leave him.

Only then does he allow her to leave the house and get a job at a grocery store.

Little does he know, with a taste of freedom, that Tanya is ready to escape her captor after years of sexual abuse and separation from everyone she knows.

Jordyn Ashley Olsen will deliver a wonderful performance as Tanya Kach.

We've also seen the diversity of Robert Baker's work.

From Supergirl to Grey's Anatomy, he's always a standout and will deliver a chilling performance as Hose, groomer, and abductor.

Following the film, Elizabeth Smart will host the Beyond the Headlines special, which delves into the harrowing experience of the real Tanya Kach.

But first, check out the exclusive trailer below!

The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story premieres June 8 at 8/7c on Lifetime!

The post The Girl Locked Upstairs: The Tanya Kach Story Promo Sheds Light on Grooming appeared first on TV Fanatic.

They've got us covered with a seven-movie drama slate that includes Teri Hatcher, Betsy Brandt, and Caity Lotz, among others.

The winner on the list seems to be the announcement that Teri Hatcher (Desperate Housewives) is starring with Tahmoh Penikett (Battlestar Galactica) in its upcoming psychological drama The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story. 

You’ve got to wait until the end of June for this one, but hey, we’re used to waiting these days.

Based on a truly unbelievable stalking case, the thriller tells the true story of an unassuming housewife who becomes the target of a mysterious stalker whom she and the cops fear is the BTK Slayer.

THE GIRL LOCKED UPSTAIRS: THE TANYA KACH STORY 

Premieres Saturday, June 8 at 8/7c.

Tanya Kach (Jordyn Ashley Olsen) was fourteen and at risk, struggling with an unhappy home life and the victim of bullying at her new school.

Feeling isolated and lonely, she is befriended by Tom Hose (Robert Baker), the school’s security guard, who manages to lure Tanya to his home, where he held her captive and sexually abused her for over a decade.

Convinced he had Tanya brainwashed and that she would never attempt escape, Tom eventually allows her to take on a part-time job. Out from under Tom’s watchful eye, Tanya finally finds the courage to take a dangerous step toward freedom. 

Immediately following the movie’s premiere, Lifetime will debut Beyond the Headlines: The Tanya Kach Story with Elizabeth Smart. The doc will follow executive producer Elizabeth Smart as she meets the real-life Tanya Kach, who, at 14 years old, vanished from a Pittsburgh suburb.

GASLIT BY MY HUSBAND: THE MORGAN METZER STORY

Premieres Sunday, June 9 at 8/7c

Based on a true story (wait, aren’t they all?), the movie follows Morgan (Jana Kramer) and Rodney Metzer (Austin Nichols), who were childhood sweethearts and married by the time Morgan was just 21 years old.

The couple loses their first child shortly after birth but are overjoyed when they have twins a year later. Tensions begin to rise when Rodney loses his job and goes into debt. Rodney blames their fights on Morgan’s drinking – even if she’d only had one – and convinces Morgan that she pushed him down the stairs in a blackout rage.

The couple finally separates, and Morgan’s life begins to turn around until Rodney gets diagnosed with cancer. Not long after, a masked intruder breaks into Morgan’s home and assaults her. Rodney shows up only minutes after the intruder is gone; when authorities question him, Rodney’s story doesn’t seem to be adding up.

Does Rodney really have cancer, and is he the hero that he claims to be, or has he been gaslighting Morgan for decades? J. Barrett Cooper, Denise Dal Vera and Maximo Sherman also star.

YOGA TEACHER KILLER: THE KAITLIN ARMSTRONG STORY

Premieres Saturday, June 15 at 8/7c

Hot take: I’ll watch anything with Kyle Schmid, but the same can be said for City Lotz, so this is definitely going on my calendar!

Yoga Teacher Killer is based on the true events of a deadly love triangle that led authorities on an international manhunt.

When pro-cyclist Moriah Wilson (Larissa Dias) is found dead after a short-lived affair with fellow professional Colin Strickland (Schmid), all signs point to Texan yoga teacher and Strickland’s on-and-off girlfriend Kaitlin Armstrong (Lotz).

After being accused of allegedly killing Wilson in a jealous rage, she vanishes into thin air. On the run, Kaitlin alters her appearance in an attempt to elude the authorities as they work to track her down, leading them to places that they never expected to find her.

DANGER IN THE DORM

Premieres Sunday, June 16 at 8/7c

Bethenny Frankel sure has come a long way since Real Housewives!

Inspired by one of Ann Rule's earliest true crime works, Danger in the Dorm tells the story of Kathleen (Clara Alexandrova) after the tragic murder of her childhood best friend and fellow classmate, Becky.

Now, she must shed her rebellious youthful spirit in order to catch a killer who’s preying on young girls around campus, even as her mother, Joanne (Frankel), tries to protect Kathleen from suffering the same fate as her friend.

THE BAD ORPHAN

Premieres Saturday, June 22 at 8/7c

The psychological drama centers on Jessica (Betsy Brandt) and Karl (Mark Taylor), loving parents to Rhiannon (Eve Edwards), who, after years of trying to add to their family, are elated to adopt Gabby (Chloe Coco Chapman), an 8-year-old orphan born with personal challenges.

Their ideas of a perfect family come into question when they discover that Gabby is a troubled little girl, and the family begins to believe things aren’t what they seem.

As the unsettling behavior of their “child” worsens and lies are uncovered, cracks in the family dynamic form, with Jessica becoming increasingly concerned that her adopted daughter Gabby is a threat to their family. 

DEVIL ON CAMPUS: THE LARRY RAY STORY

Premieres Sunday, June 23 at 8/7c

When ex-convict Larry Ray (Billy Zane) unexpectedly moves into his daughter’s dorm, he enthralls her friends with conversations and promises to help them with personal transformations by preying on their insecurities and fears.

Under Ray’s influence, the students uncover false memories of childhood trauma that Ray uses to further alienate them from their families. As the students continue to fall under Ray’s control, he begins to target their friends and family, extending his reach of emotional, financial, sexual abuse and mental manipulation. 

As the students get pulled deeper into the cult, Ray's control moves from emotional and mental to sexual as well, creating a web of lies and deceit.

THE KILLER INSIDE: THE RUTH FINLEY STORY

Premieres Saturday, June 29 at 8/7c

The Killer Inside: The Ruth Finley Story follows Ruth (Teri Hatcher) and her husband, Ed’s (Tahmoh Penikett), tranquil life in Wichita, Kansas, which is suddenly turned upside down when Ed suffers a heart attack.

As Ed fights for his life in the hospital, Ruth starts to receive mysterious threats, leaving her in a state of panic. With the city held hostage by the terror of the BTK killer, Ruth finds herself enveloped in paranoia, convinced that she will be the next victim, as the menacing phone calls escalate into chilling letters. 

Amidst the frenzy of the police's pursuit of BTK, Ruth is abducted, sending shockwaves through the community. Yet her sudden reappearance shortly after the kidnapping leaves investigators baffled and scrambling for answers.

As suspicion mounts and new evidence comes to light, the authorities entertain the unsettling notion that the perpetrator may be someone intimately connected to Ruth.

The Life and Murder of Nicole Brown Simpson

We’d be remiss not to mention the two-part documentary that airs across two nights on June 1 and 2 beginning at 8/7c that examines the life and murder of Nicole Brown Simpson.

It’s been 30 years since she was murdered, and the documentary provides an opportunity for Nicole’s own narrative and voice to be heard in one of the most notorious crimes and trials in history.

The project features 50 participants, including those who knew Nicole the best – her friends and family – to shed new light on her life and tragic death. With unprecedented access to exclusive home videos and interviews, the documentary will reveal shocking new details in the tragic story.

“What happened to our sister Nicole should never have happened to her or to any other woman,” said the Brown Sisters.

“Her life was stolen from her, and while her abuser is finally gone, it doesn’t take away the anguish we feel or the pain of her children who lost their mother. We hope that sharing Nicole’s story will help others recognize the signs and get the help they need, and her legacy will continue to live on.”

Nicole Brown Simpson’s murder and O.J.’s proclaimed innocence have been the subject of scrutiny for years, but the story has always been missing one key side…Nicole’s.

Now, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of her death, Nicole’s story will finally be told as her three sisters – Denise, Dominique, and Tanya – and her closest friends come forward for the first time to share her truth.

We thank Lifetime for ensuring that we've got a lot to do this summer when it comes to watching TV.

And you bet we'll do our darndest to write about all of these in more depth so we can all enjoy them together!

The post Are You Ready for SEVEN New Lifetime Movies & a Tragic Documentary? appeared first on TV Fanatic.