or


[09/22/25 - 10:45 AM]
Lifetime Rounds Out October with 3 All-New "Ripped from the Headlines" Movies Featuring Garcelle Beauvais, Britt Robertson, Bianca Lawson, and Others
Previously announced film, "Taken At a Truck Stop: A Black Girl Missing Movie" executive produced and starring Garcelle Beauvais, also joins the slate for an October 25 premiere.

[via press release from Lifetime]

LIFETIME ANNOUNCES THREE NEW RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES MOVIES "SURVIVING MY FATHER: THE RACHEL JEFFS STORY" "THE WIDOW'S PAYBACK" AND "MONSTER IN MY FAMILY: THE STACEY KANANEN STORY" TO DEBUT THIS OCTOBER FEATURING BRITT ROBERTSON, BIANCA LAWSON, AND ELISHA CUTHBERT AMONG OTHERS

"TAKEN AT A TRUCK STOP: A BLACK GIRL MISSING MOVIE" STARRING AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY GARCELLE BEAUVAIS ALSO JOINS FALL SLATE

Los Angeles, CA (September 22, 2025) - Lifetime has announced three new original Ripped from the Headlines movies to debut this fall. Kicking off on Saturday October 4, Surviving My Father: The Rachel Jeffs Story is a powerful story of resilience based on the memoir "Breaking Free: How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs" and stars Kaitlyn Bernard (1922) as Rachel, Michael Eklund (The Call) as Warren Jeffs and Britt Robertson (The Rookie) as Barbara Jeffs. The following Saturday on October 11 is Monster in the Family: The Stacey Kananen Story starring Elisha Cuthbert (The Girl Next Door, Happy Endings) and Brendan Taylor (Firefly Lane, Supernatural, The Magicians) and is based on a true story of an adult survivor of horrific child abuse who was put on trial for the murders of her parents. Then on October 18, Teen Choice Award winner and NAACP Image Award nominee Bianca Lawson (Queen Sugar, Rogue, The Feast of All Saints) and Kheon Clarke (SkyMed, Riverdale), star in The Widow's Payback, a gripping thriller inspired by real stories that explores how far one woman will go when the system fails her. Previously announced film, Taken At a Truck Stop: A Black Girl Missing Movie executive produced and starring Garcelle Beauvais, also joins the slate for an October 25 premiere. The third installment of the award-winning franchise tells the story of trucker Kai (Beauvais) whose niece Toy (Sierra Sidwell, Buying Back My Daughter) is taken by an online predator and together with Kai's sister Madison (Marci T House, Murder in a Small Town), go on an harrowing manhunt to find Toy with the help of their trucking community.

Surviving My Father: The Rachel Jeffs Story

Starring Kaitlyn Bernard, Michael Eklund, Britt Robertson

Premiering October 4 at 8/7c

Surviving My Father: The Rachel Jeffs Story is a powerful story of resilience based on the memoir "Breaking Free: How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs". Daughter of Warren Jeffs (Michael Eklund), the notorious leader of a polygamist sect with 80 wives, Rachel (Kaitlyn Bernard) endured years of trauma from age 8 to 16. Subjected to her father's manipulation and abuse, Rachel navigated a maze of twisted "purity tests" and psychological games. When she finally spoke out, she faced disbelief and further isolation.

Undeterred, Rachel orchestrated a daring escape from her heavily guarded confinement. In a display of extraordinary courage, she not only secured her own freedom but returned to rescue her children from the polygamous community she left behind. The film chronicles Rachel's journey from victim to victor, showcasing the triumph of the human spirit over seemingly insurmountable odds. Her story illuminates the hidden world of polygamist cults while celebrating one woman's determination to reclaim her identity and rewrite her destiny. Britt Roberston also stars as Barbara Jeffs.

Surviving My Father: The Rachel Jeffs Story is produced by Bruce Harvey for CMW Horizon Productions Inc in association with Studio TF1 America with Amelia Burstyn, Meghan Hooper White and RivrMedia serving as executive producers. Ali Liebert directs from a script by Kelly Fullerton.

Monster in the Family: The Stacey Kananen Story

Starring Elisha Cuthbert and Brendan Taylor

Premiering October 11 at 8/7c

Based on a true story, Monster in the Family: The Stacey Kananen Story follows Stacey (Elisha Cuthbert), who survives a childhood of abuse and fear, only to face a shocking twist when her brother Rickie (Brendan Taylor) confesses to her that he killed their parents. She is further betrayed when Rickie claims she helped him commit the crimes. What began as a family's relief at a father's disappearance, unravels into a web of buried bodies and manipulation that leaves Stacey fighting for her freedom. Her story exposes the devastating cycle of trauma, betrayal, and resilience at the heart one woman's struggle to reclaim her own life. The film is also based on the book Fear of Our Father: A True Story of Abuse, Murder, and Family Ties written by Stacey Kananen and Lisa Bonnice.

Monster in the Family: The Stacey Kananen Story is produced by Bruce Harvey for CMW Lakeside Productions Inc. in association with Studio TF1 America. Jeff Vanderwal and J.C. Mills serve as executive producers for Cineflix Productions. Timothy O. Johnson, Amelia Burstyn, and Meghan Hooper White serve as executive producers. Jessica Harmon directs from a script written by Jill Blotevogel.

The Widow's Payback

Starring Bianca Lawson, Kheon Clarke

Premiering October 18 at 8/7c

Amanda Bibbs (Bianca Lawson) is a devoted wife whose world shatters after her husband is murdered. When the hunt for his killer and justice stalls and painful secrets rise to the surface, Amanda embarks on a high-stakes journey of deception and courage to take matters into her own hands. Assuming a daring new identity, she infiltrates a dangerous underworld and seduces Percy "Slide" Daye (Kheon Clarke), the ruthless criminal mastermind behind her husband's death. As she gains his trust and penetrates his inner circle, Amanda risks everything to expose the truth and fight for justice.

The Widow's Payback is produced by Navid Soofi for PF Oak Productions Inc. in association with Studio TF1 America. Stacy Mandelberg, Tim Johnson and Meghan Hooper White executive produce. Steve Adelson directs a script from Avery O. Williams.

Taken at a Truck Stop: A Black Girl Missing Movie

Starring Garcelle Beauvais, Marci T House, Sierra Sidwell

Premiering October 25 at 8/7c

In Taken at a Truck Stop, Kai (Garcelle Beauvais), a tough, tenacious trucker and co-owner of her family's business is thrown into a harrowing manhunt after her sister Madison's (Marci T House) neurodivergent daughter, Toy (Sierra Sidwell), is abducted by an online predator. When law enforcement hits a dead end, Kai leverages her loyal trucking network and social media influence to launch a grassroots rescue mission to find her niece. The gripping story underscores the realities of online exploitation, the strength of community, and the inequities in media coverage of missing girls of color. This installment of the Black Girl Missing franchise continues to shine a spotlight on stories too often overlooked. for its unflinching portrayal of the disparities in missing persons cases involving Black women and girls.

The Black Girl Missing franchise has garnered critical acclaim and multiple award recognitions, including a Gracie Award win for Made for TV Movie, an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Television Movie, an Astra Award win for Best Broadcast Network or Cable TV Movie and nominations for a NAMIC Vision Award and Black Reel Award for Television. Naturi Naughton who starred in Abducted at an HBCU: A Black Girl Missing Movie also won an NAACP Image Award for Best Actress.

Taken at a Truck Stop: A Black Girl Missing Movie is produced by Navid Soofi for PF Maple Productions in association with Studio TF1 America, Garcelle Beauvais Productions and Gilbertson Entertainment. Garcelle Beauvais, Jason Egenberg and Gordon Gilbertson executive produce. Kailey Spear and Sam Spear direct from a story by Germaine Hill and Teleplay by Francesca Gailes & Jacqueline J. Gailes.

###

ABOUT LIFETIME

Celebrating over 40 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 and Stop Violence Against Women. Lifetime Television(R), LMN(R), Lifetime Real Women(R) and Lifetime Digital(TM) are part of A+E Global Media(TM). A+E Global Media(TM) (aegm.com) is a joint venture of The Walt Disney Company and The Hearst Corporation.





  [september 2025]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· MONSTER IN THE FAMILY: THE STACEY KANANEN STORY (LIFETIME)
· SURVIVING MY FATHER: THE RACHEL JEFFS STORY (LIFETIME)
· TAKEN AT A TRUCK STOP: A BLACK GIRL MISSING MOVIE (LIFETIME)
· WIDOW'S PAYBACK, THE (LIFETIME)





[09/08/26 - 12:34 PM]
ESPN and Apple Music Collaborate on "Monday Night Football" Music Curation for the 2026-27 Season, Leading Up to ESPN's First-Ever Super Bowl and the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show
The first song and artist Apple Music has selected is the recently-released single, "Dead Fresh" by Lil Baby, which will run in ESPN's Week 1 promotional efforts.

[09/08/26 - 12:01 PM]
Netflix Top 10: Week of August 31 - "The Whisper Man" Tracks Down No. 1 in This Week's Top 10
"Death of the Pastor's Wife" held the top spot of the English TV list with 13.9 million views.

[09/08/26 - 12:01 PM]
Drama and Rumors Bloom as "The Real Housewives of Potomac" Season 11 Launches on Sunday, Oct 11. at 8 P.M. ET/PT
Returning "housewives" include Karen Huger, Gizelle Bryant, Ashley Darby, Dr. Wendy Osefo, Stacey Rusch and Tia Glover.

[09/08/26 - 11:13 AM]
Jamie Demetriou and Amelia Dimoldenberg to Host Next Two Episodes of "Saturday Night Live UK," with Musical Guests Royal Blood and Rachel Chinouriri
They'll join the previously announced Jeff Goldblum and CMAT.

[09/08/26 - 10:30 AM]
Prime Video Announces September 24 Premiere Date for "Go Deep: The DeSean Jackson Story"
The groundbreaking documentary traces the story of a father, his two sons, and their family's pursuit of the American Dream through football excellence.

[09/08/26 - 10:09 AM]
FOX MLB Posts Best Regular Season Thursday Night Baseball Telecast Since 2022
2,668,000 viewers tuned-in to FOX Thursday for a two-game slate highlighted by the Cubs' 2-1 win over the Brewers in most of the country.

[09/08/26 - 10:03 AM]
"Moonshiners" Celebrates 250 Years of American Rebellion, Risk and Reward in All-New Season Premiering Tuesday, September 29 at 8PM ET/PT on Discovery Channel
It's a 250-year celebration of life, liberty and the pursuit of tax-free liquor when America's favorite Appalachian distillers return in an all-new season.

[09/08/26 - 10:02 AM]
ESPN Studio Lineup Continues 2026 Momentum with Record August Audiences
As a year-long pattern of strong viewership continued, multiple programs delivered their best August viewership on record, while overall studio show audiences increased 13% year over year.

[09/08/26 - 10:01 AM]
"The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" Scores Four Special Episodes Post-"Sunday Night Football" This Fall on NBC
The first Sunday night show is set for September 27 when Fallon will welcome an all-star lineup of guests, including Sylvester Stallone and Luke Bryan.

[09/08/26 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Siren: The Voices of Shelley" Beattie Debuts September 22
While searching the internet one day, Hollywood veteran Marlee Matlin came upon the story of athlete Shelley Beattie - a fellow Deaf woman whose life felt eerily like her own.

[09/08/26 - 09:40 AM]
Following Their Emmy Win for Outstanding Animated Program, "South Park" Is Making a Big Change
Creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone announced: "Inspired by the bravery and patriotism of Apple and Google, we are changing the name of South Park to SOUTH AMERICA. We especially want to thank our parent company Paramount -- a Skydance Capitulation."

[09/08/26 - 09:29 AM]
Paramount+ and T-Mobile Arena Launch Paramount+ Plaza in New Multi-Year Partnership
The agreement establishes a prominent new platform for the streaming service to connect its expansive portfolio of original series, films, live sports and iconic franchises with millions of fans visiting Las Vegas.

[09/08/26 - 09:04 AM]
Terror on Tubi Continues with First Look Photos of "R.L. Stine's Pumpkinhead 2"
Cassandra Peterson, famously known as Elvira, joins Bean Reid and Adeline Lo in spooky sequel premiering October 9.

[09/08/26 - 09:01 AM]
UPtv's "Most Uplifting Christmas Ever" Returns November 5 with Eight Premiere Movies and a Thanksgiving Marathon of "The Rookie"
Vivica A. Fox, Kelley Jakle, Kym Johnson Herjavec, Carson Kressley, Franco Lo Presti, Gilles Marini, Rob Mayes, and Jonathan Stoddard are among the featured talent.

[09/08/26 - 09:01 AM]
Comedy Central Announces the Return of "Drunk History" with New Episodes on Comedy Central YouTube Channel
The brand-new short-form episodes will launch on Tuesday, September 15, with a premiere episode about Madonna's legendary first performance at the inaugural MTV Video Music Awards, starring Meghan Trainor as Madonna.