Lifetime Unveils September Slate: Three True-Life Dramas Hit Airwaves
From Heartbreak to Survival: Network Announces Compelling “Ripped From the Headlines” Films
Lifetime is set to captivate audiences this September with a trio of “Ripped From the Headlines” films, each delving into astonishing true-life narratives. The network will premiere a new movie every Saturday throughout the month, offering viewers gripping tales of resilience, danger, and personal triumph.
A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story
Kicking off the September lineup on Saturday, September 13, is the premiere of *A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story*. This film stars **Keana Lyn Bastidas** as **Lisa Aguilar**, a young woman whose seemingly perfect new marriage takes a terrifying turn. **Lisa** discovers her husband, **Darren** (played by **John McLaren**), harbors a dangerous secret life. After a violent attack in their home, **Lisa**, with the support of her grandmother (portrayed by veteran actress **Marilu Henner**), her parents, and legal allies, embarks on a quest for justice and to protect her unborn child. The film is directed by **David Weaver** from a script by **Walter Klenhard**.
The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story
The following Saturday, September 20, Lifetime presents *The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story*. This film features **Brielle Robillard** as 15-year-old **Alina Thompson**, an aspiring model in 1980s Los Angeles. **Alina** falls prey to a dangerous serial killer, **William Bradford** (played by **Steve Byers**), who lures young women to secluded photo shoots. Despite being targeted, **Alina** miraculously escapes her deadly encounter, a testament to her survival. The film also stars **Sam Trammell** and **Ashley Jones** as **Alina’s** parents. **Michelle Ouellet** directed from a script by **Christine Conradt**.
I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story
Concluding the September programming on Saturday, September 27, is *I Was a Child Bride: The Courtney Stodden Story*. This installment is part of Lifetime’s “I Was / I Am” series, empowering women to retell their own experiences. The film chronicles the highly publicized and controversial marriage of **Courtney Stodden** (played by **Holly Barrett**), then 16, to 51-year-old actor **Doug Hutchison** (portrayed by Doug Savant). **Courtney’s** mother, **Krista** (played by **Maggie Lawson**), reportedly encouraged her daughter’s pursuit of fame. Narrated by **Stodden** herself, the biopic explores childhood exploitation, trauma, and transformation. **D’Angela Procter** directed the film from a script by **Kim Barker**.
These films highlight the enduring power of personal stories to resonate with a wide audience. In fact, true crime content continues to dominate streaming services, with reports indicating that over 70% of viewers have watched a true crime series or documentary in the past year alone, demonstrating a significant public appetite for these narratives (Insider, 2020).