Lifetime uses Anne Rule’s novels to expand their Ripped from the Headlines slate

Lifetime announced the new Ripped from the Headlines slate for the summer. All five films will be based on Ann Rule’s true crime novels.

Lifetime has announced a fresh slate of Ripped from the Headlines movies for this coming summer. All five new films will be best on books from New York Times best-selling true-crime author Ann Rule.

Some of her previous books-turned-movies that aired on the network include Too Late to Say Goodbye with Rob Lowe, Capture of the Green River Killer with Tom Cavanagh, and more.

The titles chosen from the writer’s library of riveting novels are Danger In The Dorm, Mortal Danger, Practice to Deceive, Bitter Harvest and Empty Promises — the film version of which will be titled A Murder to Remember. Casting is currently underway for all five films.

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Not only will the movies feature powerful women in leading roles, but Lifetime promises that female directors will make up 80% of the titles and women of color will account for at least 60% of those directors. The majority of these movies will also be written by women.

While all of these movies are still in the pre-production process, Lifetime did include synopses for each title in their recent press release so we can tell you what each one will be about, even if we don’t know who will star yet.

Danger In The Dorm

A college campus is terrorized by the potential threat of a serial killer after an honor student named Becky Swafford turns up murdered in her dorm room.

Becky’s best friend and mother refuse to give up on solving her murder, no matter the toll it takes on their lives. Ramona Barckert will write and Karen Lam will direct.

Mortal Danger

Flight attendant Grace Tanner is riveted and completely charmed by the perfect Paul Carter, but things take an ugly turn when Paul becomes jealous and controlling over Grace. He attacks her in a fit of rage, but she manages to escape and go into hiding.

Grace works with the police to hunt Paul down before he can find her, or hurt someone else. The film will be directed by David Weaver and written by Richard Blaney and Gregory Small.

A Murder to Remember

As we mentioned above, A Murder to Remember is based on Rule’s true crime collection titled Empty Promises. The film begins with the happy Rivera couple celebrating their one-year anniversary while on a camping trip deep in the wilderness.

Then Javier Rivera turns up dead and his wife, Robin, finds herself alone in an unknown place. She turns to a nearby camper named Sam for help, but it’s not clear if Sam is the friend she thinks he is or a wolf in sheep’s clothing. The film will be written by Amber Benson and feature the directorial debut of actress Robin Givens.

Practice to Deceive

A local man named Russel Douglas is found dead immediately after Christmas and the small island community he’s from descends into chaos as investigators try to uncover the truth behind his twisted murder. Ashley Williams will direct Christina Ray’s script.

Bitter Harvest

Bitter Harvest will follow a supposedly perfect marriage between a successful doctor and mother. They have three adorable children and a gorgeous home in a wealthy neighborhood, what could go wrong? Apparently, a lot. Behind closed doors, the marriage between the Greens is not as amazing as they pretend. Shamim Sarif will direct while Benjamin Anderson and Conor Allyn will write the script.

What do you think about Lifetime’s next slate of Ripped from the Headline movies? Are you a fan of Ann Rule’s true crime novels? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.