Ripped From the Headlines, Lifetime Greenlights 53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer and Saving Alex, Based on True Stories

LIFETIME GREENLIGHTS TWO NEW MOVIES FOR NETWORK’S

RIPPED FROM THE HEADLINES FALL SLATE

53 DAYS: THE ABDUCTION OF MARY STAUFFER (WT)

SET TO STAR ALYSON HANNIGAN

SAVING ALEX BASED ON TRUE STORY OF A TEEN

SUBJECTED TO GAY CONVERSION THERAPY

Los Angeles, CA (April 3, 2019) – Lifetime has ordered two new original movies for the network’s Ripped From The Headlines fall slate, centered on true life events. People’s Choice winner Alyson Hannigan stars in 53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer (working title), the harrowing true story of high school teacher Mary Stauffer and her eight-year old daughter, Beth, who are held captive for 53 days by a former student who was obsessed with her. Daphne Hoskins stars as Beth. The second movie, Saving Alex (working title), follows the journey of 15-year-old Alex Cooper, held against her will in a gay conversion therapy home. Saving Alex stars Addison Holley, Ian Lake and Sarah Booth.

Ripped From the Headlines, Lifetime Greenlights <i>53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer</i> and <i>Saving Alex</i>, Based on True Stories 2 — Alyson Hannigan and Daphne Hoskins in 53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer — photo courtesy of Lifetime.

About 53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer

On May 16, 1980, the lives of teacher and missionary Mary Stauffer (Alyson Hannigan) and her eight- year-old daughter Beth (Daphne Hoskins), were forever changed when they were held at gunpoint on their way home. With their hands bound and forced into the trunk of Mary’s car, the mother and daughter were held captive by the man, Ming Sen Shiue, a former student from 15 years prior, who was obsessed with Mary and had been stalking her ever since. Enduring torture, rape and numerous threats, Mary turned to her faith to sustain her and her daughter while held in captivity for 53 days, before they were able to finally escape their horrific nightmare.

53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer is produced by Stalking Productions, Inc in association with Johnson Production Group and executive produced by Timothy Johnson and Michael Vickerman. Jim Donovan directs from a script written by Michael Vickerman.

About Saving Alex

Ripped From the Headlines, Lifetime Greenlights <i>53 Days: The Abduction of Mary Stauffer</i> and <i>Saving Alex</i>, Based on True Stories 3 — Addison Holley, Ian Lake, and Sarah Booth star in SAVING ALEX — photo courtesy of Lifetime.

Based on a harrowing true story, when 15-year-old Alex (Addison Holley) revealed she was gay to her devout Mormon parents, they feared so deeply for her soul that they took her from their Southern California home and placed her against her will in a conversion therapy home in Utah. Trapped for eight months with strangers (Sarah Booth and Ian Lake), Alex faced horrible punishments and beatings that were intended to cure her homosexuality. After realizing she would have to submit to their rules in order to survive, Alex was eventually allowed to attend school, where she became friends with a boy that was the president of the gay-straight alliance. He helped Alex get in touch with an attorney, who later helped orchestrate her escape.

Saving Alex is produced by SilverScreen Pictures and executive produced by Jeffrey Hunt, Kyle Clark and Lina Wong. Jeffrey Hunt directs from a script by Michelle Paradise.

– – – – – – – – – – –