or


[06/14/23 - 11:03 AM]
Lifetime Greenlights "Abducted by My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story," Executive Produced by Elizabeth Smart, Starring Michael Fishman and Summer Howell
Based on the true story of Elizabeth Thomas, the movie stars Michael Fishman and Summer Howell and is the harrowing account of a young girl whose kidnapping by a trusted teacher captivated the country and led to a nationwide manhunt.

[via press release from Lifetime]

LIFETIME CONTINUES PARTNERSHIP WITH ELIZABETH SMART WITH GREENLIGHT OF NEW RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES MOVIE "ABDUCTED BY MY TEACHER: THE ELIZABETH THOMAS STORY" STARRING MICHAEL FISHMAN AND SUMMER HOWELL PREMIERING AUGUST 12

FOLLOWING THE MOVIE LIFETIME TO AIR THE DOC SPECIAL "BEYOND THE HEADLINES: THE ELIZABETH THOMAS STORY WITH ELIZABETH SMART"

NEW YORK, NY (June 14, 2023) - After the recent success of The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story, which reached over two million total viewers when it debuted this past February, Lifetime reteams with Elizabeth Smart to executive produce the network's authorized Ripped from the Headlines movie Abducted by My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story, premiering Saturday, August 12 at 8p/7c. Based on the true story of Elizabeth Thomas, the movie stars Michael Fishman (Roseanne) and Summer Howell (Harland Manor) and is the harrowing account of a young girl whose kidnapping by a trusted teacher captivated the country and led to a nationwide manhunt. Following the movie at 10p/9c, Lifetime will air the doc special Beyond the Headlines: The Elizabeth Thomas Story with Elizabeth Smart.

Abducted by My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story

Elizabeth Thomas (Howell) was just a 15-year-old high schooler who wanted to make friends when she caught the eye of Tad Cummins (Fishman), a trusted, beloved and married high school teacher. Making her feel safe and loved, he groomed Elizabeth for months, and ultimately coerced her to go on the run with him after another student reported seeing him kiss Elizabeth. Elizabeth's abduction set off a nationwide manhunt and her over month-long ordeal came to an end when the pair was discovered in northern California and Cummins was arrested. After enduring sexual abuse at the hands of Cummins, Elizabeth was left to face those in her home town who thought that she was responsible for her own kidnapping. Ultimately, Elizabeth bravely stood up in court and helped send the teacher she once trusted to prison.

Smart continues her relationship with Lifetime after executive producing the films The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story and I Am Elizabeth Smart, as well as the doc specials Elizabeth Smart: Finding Justice and Smart Justice: The Jayme Closs Case.

Beyond the Headlines: The Elizabeth Thomas Story with Elizabeth Smart.

In the one-hour special executive produced by Elizabeth Smart, Elizabeth Thomas sits down for her first interview in five years, providing intimate and revealing details about her ordeal which has been extremely isolating and confusing. The topic of grooming continues to be widely misunderstood and Elizabeth Thomas' revelations provide rare insight into the experience of survivors. Elizabeth Smart, who intimately understands the personal trauma and fallout experienced by survivors travels to Tennessee to meet Elizabeth Thomas, hear her story and share their common experiences.

Abducted by My Teacher: The Elizabeth Thomas Story is executive produced by Joseph Freed and Allison Berkley of Marwar Junction Productions, Howard Braunstein and Elizabeth Smart. The film is produced by Juliette Hagopian of ET MB Films Inc. Shawn Linden directs from a script written by Kristine Huntley.

Beyond the Headlines: The Elizabeth Thomas Story with Elizabeth Smart is produced by Marwar Junction Productions. Executive producers are Allison Berkley and Joseph Freed from Marwar Junction, Elizabeth Smart and Leane Vandeman. Amy Winter and Nicole Vogel are executive producers for Lifetime.

###

ABOUT LIFETIME

Celebrating over 35 years of entertaining audiences, Lifetime is a premier entertainment destination for women dedicated to offering the highest quality original programming spanning award-winning movies, high-quality scripted series and breakout non-fiction series. Lifetime has an impressive legacy in public affairs, bringing attention to social issues that women care about with initiatives such as the long running Stop Breast Cancer for Life now in its 25th year, Stop Violence Against Women which relaunched in 2018, and Broader Focus, a major global initiative dedicated to supporting and hiring female directors, writers and producers, including women of color, to make its content. Lifetime Television(R), LMN(R), Lifetime Real Women(R) and Lifetime Digital(TM) are part of Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC, a subsidiary of A+E Networks. A+E Networks is a joint venture of the Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst Corporation. Interact with Lifetime on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook





  [june 2023]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· ABDUCTED BY MY TEACHER: THE ELIZABETH THOMAS STORY (LIFETIME)





[10/24/25 - 02:30 PM]
Video: First Look at Upcoming New Drama "Memory of a Killer" Starring Patrick Dempsey and Michael Imperioli - Premiering This January on FOX
Dempsey stars as a hitman, Angelo Doyle, leading a dangerous double life while hiding an even deadlier personal secret - he has developed early onset Alzheimer's.

[10/24/25 - 02:02 PM]
"20/20" Is Friday's Most-Watched Newsmagazine Across the Board
In addition, "20/20" posted its best Adults 25-54 in more than four months.

[10/24/25 - 02:01 PM]
ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 Across the Board, Leading NBC in All Key Demos for the 4th Straight Week
"Nightline" grew year to year across the board: Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[10/24/25 - 01:05 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Makes Television History - Rising for Fifth Straight Week
The October 21 episode scored 6.63 million Total Viewers and a 1.38 rating among Adults 18-49, hitting new season highs in both demographics.

[10/24/25 - 08:01 AM]
Netflix Announces "Hollywood Arts," A Brand-New Spinoff of Hit Live-Action, "Victorious," with Daniella Monet Returning as Star and Executive Producer
The series is set to debut on Netflix in 2026, followed by releases on Nickelodeon and Paramount+.

[10/24/25 - 07:14 AM]
FOX Sports Readies for Major League Baseball's 121st World Series Presented by Capital One
Action leads off Friday, October 24, between the National League and current reigning World champion Los Angeles Dodgers and American League champion Toronto Blue Jays from Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports App and FOX One.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "Love Is Blind" Season 9: The Reunion - Official Trailer - Netflix
Denver singles shake up their search for "the one" and step into the pods, braving twists, turns and love triangles to find their soulmate sight unseen.

[10/24/25 - 07:01 AM]
Experience the Family, the Fun, and the Fantastic! Marvel Studios' "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" Lands Exclusively on Disney+ November 5
Continuing the celebration of Marvel's First Family, the announcement was made live from SpaceCon 2025 in San Antonio, where The Fantastic Four: First Steps Immersive Pop-Up Experience invites attendees to step inside the iconic Baxter Building.

[10/24/25 - 06:00 AM]
The CW Network and Xfinity Celebrate 11 Years of the NASCAR Xfinity Series by Presenting the Third Stage of the Championship Race Commercial-Free
Taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, on Saturday, November 1, the commercial-free stage presented by Xfinity was created to thank the loyal race fans who have supported the NASCAR Xfinity Series for more than a decade - helping the series grow through their unwavering enthusiasm, increased viewership, and continued trackside attendance.

[10/23/25 - 05:01 PM]
Video: "As You Stood By" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When two women plot to end an abusive marriage through murder, an unexpected visitor arrives - threatening to shatter everything they've carefully planned.

[10/23/25 - 02:33 PM]
Largest Audience for "NBA Tip-Off" Doubleheader Since 2010 as NBA Returned to NBC and Debuted on Peacock
Tuesday night's audience across NBC and Peacock peaked at 7.1 million viewers from 10:45-11 p.m. ET as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder to a one-point win over the Houston Rockets in double overtime.

[10/23/25 - 02:28 PM]
The 305 Just Got Hotter: "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" Moves to BET Season 7 Premieres Tuesday, November 4 at 8 PM ET/PT
The upcoming seventh season dives deeper than ever into Miami's thriving entertainment scene, following a cast of stars who are rebuilding, rebranding, and redefining success in real time.

[10/23/25 - 01:30 PM]
Critically Acclaimed Noir Thriller, "Dark Winds," to Return to AMC and AMC+ Sunday, February 15
The series' gripping fourth season focuses on the search for a missing Navajo girl, which takes Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito from the safety of Navajo Nation to the gritty terrain of 1970s Los Angeles in a race against the clock to save her from an obsessive killer with ties to organized crime.

[10/23/25 - 12:01 PM]
Video: BET+ Releases Trailer for Horror Film "A Demon's Revenge"
In the film, following the bloodshed in Belize, Peaches, played by Jhoné Lucas, delves deeper into Caribbean folklore and the terrifying truth that lurks beneath.

[10/23/25 - 12:00 PM]
FOX Entertainment Acquires Equity Stake in Chain, Forging Strategic Partnership with Experiential Food Phenomenon Co-Founded by B.J. Novak
Included in the investment is a first look development deal through Chain Media.