Lifetime to Premiere Three “Ripped From the Headlines” Films This September
Lifetime is set to captivate audiences this September with a trio of compelling original movies inspired by true events, collectively dubbed “Ripped From the Headlines.” The network will debut each film on consecutive Saturdays, offering a month-long slate of dramatic storytelling.
The lineup includes A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story premiering September 13th, The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story on September 20th, and I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story concluding the series on September 27th. All three projects aim to delve into complex narratives of survival, resilience, and the darker sides of human relationships.
A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story – A Descent into Deception
A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story stars Keana Lyn Bastidas as Lisa Aguilar, a newlywed expecting her first child. Her seemingly idyllic life with husband Darren (John McLaren) unravels when she discovers his hidden double life and shattered dreams. The story takes a harrowing turn after Lisa is brutally attacked in her home, leading her to question everything she thought she knew about the man she loved.
According to a network release, Lisa, with the support of her grandmother (Marilu Henner), parents, and legal counsel, embarks on a quest for justice and to protect her unborn child. David Weaver directed the film from a script penned by Walter Klenhard. Production was handled by 1Department Entertainment, Lighthouse Pictures, and Wishing Floor Films, with Jameson Parker, Gemma Martini, and Danielle von Zerneck serving as executive producers. Bastidas, McLaren, and Henner bring their talents to this gripping tale of betrayal and survival.
The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story – Escaping a Serial Killer’s Grip
The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story transports viewers to 1980s Los Angeles, where 15-year-old aspiring model Alina Thompson (Brielle Robillard) unwittingly crosses paths with a dangerous serial killer. Alina, played by Robillard, deceives her parents (Sam Trammell and Ashley Jones) to attend a photography casting call, where she encounters William Bradford (Steve Byers), a photographer masking sinister intentions.
The film recounts how Bradford uses his charm to lure young women into perilous situations, and how Alina narrowly escapes becoming his next victim. Michelle Ouellet directed from a script by Christine Conradt, with Steve Boisvert and Brendan McNeill producing in association with Studio TF1 America. Pierre David, Tîm Johnson, Meghan Hooper White, and Jones served as executive producers. The cast boasts veteran actors Trammell, Jones, and Byers alongside Robillard, promising a suspenseful and harrowing narrative.
I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story – Reclaiming a Narrative
I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story is part of Lifetime’s “I Was / I Am” franchise, dedicated to amplifying the voices of women reclaiming their stories. The film centers on Courtney Stodden (Holly Barrett), who at age 16, entered a highly publicized marriage with 51-year-old actor Doug Hutchinson (Doug Savant).
Narrated by Stodden herself, the biopic offers a deeply personal account of her journey, exploring themes of exploitation, trauma, and transformation. Lifetime emphasizes that this is not a sensationalized retelling of tabloid headlines, but rather “a story of resilience and survival” and “an exploration of childhood exploitation.” D’Angela Procter directed the project from a script by Kim Barker, with MGM Alternative and Safier Entertainment producing alongside Stodden, Jared Safier, Barry Poznick, and Kitty Gambel as executive producers. Barrett is joined by Savant and Maggie Lawson, who portrays Stodden’s mother, Krista.
These three films promise a compelling September for Lifetime viewers, offering a blend of suspense, drama, and poignant real-life stories.
