Looking ahead, Lifetime programming continues to embody the network’s philosophy: It tells stories about women from women’s perspectives. Those stories may be ripped from the headlines, based on nonfiction bestsellers, or reimaginings of beloved old stories, but they’re all powered by women, both on camera and behind the scenes.
“The Good Father: The Martin MacNeill Story”
Airs: Oct. 2, 2021
This is a sordid tale of a beloved doctor (Tom Everett Scott) whose picture-perfect facade unraveled, revealing a trail of lies, after the murder of his wife. The film is executive produced by legal commentator and host Nancy Grace and directed by Annie Bradley (“In the Dark”). Grace, who reported on the case and previously worked with Lifetime (“The Eleventh Victim”), says, “There are some stories that are so gritty, they can’t be soft-pedaled, and Lifetime is the perfect place to tell this story.
“And it’s women-centric,’’ she says. “It’s being told from the point of view of one of the female victims.” — Diedre Johnson
“Dying to Belong”
Airs: Oct. 9, 2021
It’s a case of twice-told tales for executive producer Danielle von Zerneck with her remake of this Lifetime classic first produced by her father, Frank.
The story of a college student trying to find the truth about her friend’s death during a hazing incident, the picture features Shannen Doherty, who appears in two movies for the network this October, and Favour Onwuka.
“Lifetime is wonderful at thinking outside the box when it comes to embracing the gifts and skills of the actors with whom they like to be in business,” says
von Zerneck.
The actor-turned-producer has produced eight movies for Lifetime through her company, Wishing Floor Films. — D.J.
“List of a Lifetime”
Airs: Oct. 10, 2021
This picture focuses on Brenda Lee (Kelly Hu), who, after being diagnosed with breast cancer, goes in search of the daughter she gave up for adoption to urge her to get checked for the BRCA gene.
The film, which premieres during Breast Cancer Awareness Month and will anchor Lifetime’s public affairs campaign Stop Breast Cancer for Life, falls under the network’s Broader Focus initiative, which champions women in key production roles. — Addie Morfoot
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff”
Airs: Oct. 16, 2021
Heather Locklear stars as Kristine Carlson, the real-life muse for husband Richard Carlson’s bestselling inspirational nine-book “Don’t Sweat” series.
When Richard died unexpectedly at age 45, Carlson said she felt like she died with him. It was Big Stuff — financial insecurity, frenemies, and her daughters’ anger, isolation and grief — and she was sweating it.
Locklear and Carlson bonded at Carlson’s home, where Richard’s leather jacket — a poignant memory lovingly preserved — still hangs on the back of the chair where he left it 15 years ago. — R.F. Terry
“Switched Before Birth”
Airs: Oct. 23, 2021
Directed by Elisabeth Rohm, this pic focuses on two women, played by Skyler Samuels and Justina Machado, who are undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment. Though they become friends, their worlds are turned upside down when one gives birth to twins — one of whom belongs to the other mother.
“I liked the story being told of a woman having a hard time getting pregnant,” says Machado. “Everything else in her life was going great and then a very human situation happens.” — A.M.
“Torn From Her Arms”
Airs: Oct. 30, 2021
Inspired by the real-life separation of a mother and daughter at the U.S. border, this story highlights four courageous women: mother Cindy Madrid (Fátima Molina); her 6-year-old daughter, Ximena (Camila Núñez); Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Ginger Thompson (Gloria Reuben); and Texas immigration lawyer Thelma Garcia (Judy Reyes).
After Cindy and Ximena are separated, they endure perilous journeys and inhumane living conditions. The film tells their stories, as well as those of Thompson, whose 2018 reporting of the story led to a national outcry, and Garcia, who worked to reunite mother and daughter. — A.M.
“Highway to Heaven”
Airs: Nov. 6, 2021
Had it not been for her grandmother’s religious faith and crush on (late star) Michael Landon, Jill Scott might not have been so well-acquainted with the original “Highway to Heaven.” Now Scott stars in and is an executive producer on the updated movie version.
Having already starred in four films for Lifetime — “Sins of the Mother,” the rom-com “With This Ring,” Emmy-nominated Michigan water crisis film “Flint” and the all-Black remake of “Steel Magnolias” — Scott credits the network’s “humanity” in the storytelling as the reason she keeps returning. — D.J.
“Safe Space”
Airs: 2022
Debuting in 2022, this thriller sees Boris Kodjoe making his directing debut alongside his wife, Nicole Ari Parker, who stars in the movie about a widow and her son (Nik Sanchez) who is on the autism spectrum. After the boy witnesses a murder, the two must fend off an intruder (Drea de Matteo) and her accomplice.
About casting a working actor on the autism spectrum, Kodjoe said, “We have to do our best to represent all facets of humanity on-screen.” — R.F.T.
