Lifetime Television Marks Tenth Anniversary of Princess Diana's Death with Special Three Night Programming Event Saturday, August 25, Sunday, August 26, and Monday, August 27

Original Groundbreaking 1995 BBC Interview with Acclaimed Journalist Martin Bashir and Princess Diana Explored Her Marriage, Parenthood, Adultery and Depression

Historic Conversation to be Followed by Lifetime Original Movie 'The Murder Of Princess Diana,' Fictionalized Account of Her Death

NEW YORK, Aug. 15 -- Ten years after her death, Princess Diana remains an iconic figure to millions worldwide, the subject of more than 180 books into the transcendent achievements of her life and the circumstances of her death. Lifetime Television is marking the anniversary of that tragic evening of August 31, 1997, with three nights of special programming featuring a seminal moment in television journalism and a Lifetime Original Movie Event, beginning with the candid and explosive 1995 BBC landmark interview conducted by award-winning journalist Martin Bashir, airing Saturday, August 25 at 8PM (ET/PT), Sunday, August 26 at 5PM (ET/PT) and Monday, August 27 at 11PM (ET/PT).

During the now historic hour-long discussion -- which was her first-ever one-on-one sit down with the media about her personal life -- Princess Di shared some of her most intimate secrets, which ultimately confirmed years of rumors and speculation, and sent shock waves throughout the British monarchy, Great Britain and beyond its shores.

Following the poignant conversation will be the Lifetime Original Movie "The Murder of Princess Diana," which airs August 25 at 9PM (ET/PT) and August 26 at 6PM (ET/PT) as well as Monday, August 27 at 9PM (ET/PT). Starring Jennifer Morrison ("House"), the movie is a fictionalized account of the book by the same name by Noel Botham, which theorized that the car crash that claimed the lives of the Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi Fayed and their chauffeur Henri Paul, was a conspiracy.

In the revolutionary BBC interview, the "People's Princess" opened up to Bashir about her personal and private life. She shed light on the breakdown of her marriage to Prince Charles and how the intense media scrutiny made her personal life almost unbearable. Additionally, she discussed her depression and eating disorder, her love affair with her riding trainer James Hewitt, as well as the difficulties of raising her children in a royal fishbowl.

During the interview, Princess Diana said:

-- About self-destructive behavior: "Yes, I did inflict upon myself. I didn't like myself. I was ashamed because I couldn't cope with the pressures."

-- About her turbulent marriage: "My husband and I had to keep everything together because we didn't want to disappoint the public, and yet obviously there was a lot of anxiety going on within our four walls."

-- About being the Queen of England: "I'd like to be a queen of people's hearts, but I don't see myself being Queen of this country. I don't think many people will want me to be Queen. Actually, when I say many people I mean the establishment that I married into, because they've decided that I'm a non-starter."

LifetimeTV.com features two clips from the interview. In the first, the late Princess of Wales discusses how she found peace coming to the aid of those rejected by society, and in the second clip, Diana reflects on what she expected entering into marriage with Prince Charles and how the media attention weighed on her through the years. The site also features additional broadband video including remembrances from women on Diana's legacy.

Martin Bashir was named co-anchor of ABC News' "Nightline" in October 2005 and is based in New York. The internationally acclaimed, award-winning journalist joined ABC's newsmagazine "20/20" in September 2004, and continues to report for the program. Mr. Bashir is best known for making landmark documentaries, including "Living with Michael Jackson," and is also known for his investigative reporting for ITV, British television's most popular network.

The BBC Interview with Princess Diana and Martin Bashir was originally part of the broadcaster's "Panorama" series. Mike Robinson was producer and Steve Hewlett was editor. The interview was acquired from BBC Worldwide America.

"The Murder of Princess Diana" is produced by Universal TV Limited, formerly WTTV Limited, the television arm of Working Title Films ("United 93," "Bridget Jones' Diary," "Pride and Prejudice") for Lifetime Television. Simon Wright ("Tales of the City") is the executive producer and Priscilla Parish ("The Robber Bride") serves as associate producer. Julia Stannard ("Sharpe's Challenge") is producer and John Strickland ("Big Love") is the director. Emma Reeves ("Doctors") and Reg Gadney ("Kennedy") wrote the teleplay.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including LifetimeTV.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE Lifetime
http://www.lifetimetv.com