Lifetime has cast three of its lead roles in theupcoming movieabout thecollege admissions scandal.
With production set to begin this month, Penelope Ann Miller (Riverdale, American Crime) and Mia Kirshner (Star Trek: Discovery, The L Word) have signed on to headline the movie, aptly titledThe College Admissions Scandal.The fictionalized account will follow the story of over 50 wealthy and elite families who tried to cheat the college admissions system.
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Michael Shanks (Stargate: Atlantis, Saving Hope) has been cast asRick Singer, the college admissions consultant who has admitted his role as the ringleader of the scam and pleaded guilty in March to multiple charges in the real-life, high-profile scandal.
According to the network,The College Admissions Scandal“follows two wealthy mothers, Caroline (Miller), a sought-after interior designer and Bethany (Kirshner), an owner of a successful financial services firm, who share an obsession with getting their teenagers into the best possible college.”
When Singer “offers a side door into the prestigious institutions of their dreams, Caroline and Bethany willingly partake with visions of coveted acceptance letters in their heads. But when Singer cooperates with the FBI and pleads guilty, the mothers who risked everything for their kids, must face the consequences of their crimes and the loss of trust and respect from their families.”
On March 12, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts announced that ithad charged 50 people, including actressesFelicity HuffmanandLori Loughlin(and her husband, fashion designerMossimo Giannulli) in the cheating scandal. Along with coaches, admissions counselors and fellow parents, they were accused of alleged crimes such as falsifying SAT scores and lying about the athletic skills of their children.
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Loughlin and Giannulli were indicted on an additional charge offraud and money launderingin April. If convicted, they face up to 20 yearsin prisonfor each charge.
The couplepleaded not guiltyafterturning down a plea dealbecause it included jail time. Their attorneys have not returned PEOPLE’s requests for comment.
The College Admissions Scandalis part of Lifetime’sRipped From the Headlinesmovie slate which includesEscaping the NXIVM Cult: A Mother’s Fight to Save Her Daughter,Abducted: The Mary Stauffer StoryandTrapped: The Alex Cooper Story.
The College Admissions Scandalis set to premiere this fall on Lifetime.
source: people.com
