Drew Peterson Lifetime Movie to be Aired in January
Hollywood star Rob Lowe will play the accused wife-killer.
Updated at 12:05 p.m. on Thursday.
Drew Peterson: Untouchable, Lifetime's made-for-TV movie based on the Drew Peterson saga, will air in January, said Joseph Hosey, author of the nonfiction book Fatal Vows: The Tragic Wives of Drew Peterson, which the book is based off of.
Hosey, who is also editor of Shorewood Patch, said the airing date is set for Jan. 21.
The movie has been in the works for nearly a year. In June, it was reported Rob Lowe signed on to play the former ex-Bolingbrook cop Peterson.
The film will explore the two cases in which one of Peterson's wives was killed and another mysteriously disappeared and also features Kaley Cuoco, who stars the Big Bang Theory, as Stacy Peterson.
From a Lifetime release:
Peterson allegedly drowned his third wife, Kathleen Savio, in March 2004 but was not arrested until the disappearance of his next wife, Stacy Peterson, attracted attention to her death.
Peterson has been in jail ever since awaiting trial.
In February, the appellate court heard arguments from prosecutors and defense attorney Steve Greenberg over what—if any—hearsay evidence can be used against Peterson at his murder trial.
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow had brought the case to the appellate court in a bid to reverse Judge Stephen White’s decision to exclude most of the 13 hearsay statements he wants to use against Peterson.
The case had ascended all the way to the state's highest court, but just last week, the Illinois Supreme Court sent the case back to the Third District Appellate Court in Ottawa to take the case again and make up its collective mind about it.
Peterson will likely spend at least another three months in jail before his trial could conceivably start, meaning he won't likely be able to see the movie when it airs.
According to reports, it took Lowe, who now stars in NBC's hit comedy show Parks and Recreation, nine hours to get into full Peterson attire.
"I have to say, it's an interesting choice," Hosey said upon hearing Lowe would play Peterson. "They're really going to have to ugly him up, but that's showbiz, I guess."
Lowe has said he's never played anyone quite like Peterson, calling his story "so compelling and dark and tragic... very complex."
“It’s a real transformative character for me to play," Lowe told Parade Magazine. "It’s just a very different style than anything I’ve ever done before and I think people are going to be surprised.”
Lowe said crews shot two different endings should Peterson's trial move forward and he be found guilty or innocent, the Parade report said.
A verdict, however, seems unlikely considering where the case stands now.
What do you think of Lifetime releasing a movie about Drew Peterson? Weigh in with a comment below.
Erin Gallagher
11:38 am on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Joe, you should plan a viewing party somewhere. Maybe a pizza place with a back room and a TV?
son of a son of a cumbers
6:45 pm on Thursday, December 8, 2011
Why couldn't Hosey play Drew? He's good at acting like he's a reporter.
Freddie Kissell
11:39 am on Monday, December 12, 2011
Are you retarded?
Tina
11:56 am on Friday, December 9, 2011
UGH @ Sons comment. Just finished the book yesterday ...loved it! Lots of interesting details! Can't wait to see if they do Joe's Book justice! And who will play all those "interesting" people .Drew sure did surround himself with some "colorful" characters. If you haven't read the book you really should check it out before the movie!
Flora Dora
7:18 am on Saturday, December 10, 2011
Sounds like son of a cumbers is as green with envy as a cucumber!
Freddie Kissell
11:38 am on Monday, December 12, 2011
No doubt, Dorothy!
aaron
2:12 pm on Monday, December 12, 2011
I still say Donald Sutherland would be perfect. Ill bet if we took a vote we would all agree....Aaron.
aaron
2:15 pm on Monday, December 12, 2011
Just google the movie called "The Italian Job".....you will see. I'd do things so they are straight nightmare real scary. I'd get the truth and key points across.