Lifetime's College Admissions Scandal Movie Casts Penelope Ann Miller, Mia Kirshner as Stars
While several film and TV projects chronicling the juicy Hollywood-adjacent college admissions scandal are in the works, it seems safe to say that the upcoming Lifetime TV movie about the story is going to be the trashiest/cheesiest/best. Now, the flick has cast its leads.
Penelope Ann Miller ("Riverdale," "American Crime"), Mia Kirshner ("Star Trek: Discovery," "The L Word"), and Michael Shanks ("Stargate: Atlantis," "Saving Hope") are set to star as the film's main characters: two moms, and the man they conspire with to help cheat their kids' way into swanky schools.
Deadline was first to report the news, and shared a breakdown of the trio's roles, as well as the film's plot:
'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 charismatic college admissions consultant Rick Singer (Shanks) 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.
The story is inspired by the real-life scandal -- dubbed Operation Varsity Blues by the FBI -- which ensnared more than 50 wealthy parents and officials from top-tier colleges back in April. The biggest names among them included actresses Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, as well as Loughlin's husband, fashion designer Mossimo Giannulli. Huffman's husband, actor William H. Macy, has not been charged with any crime.
Huffman already pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, after admitting to paying someone to take the SAT on her daughter's behalf. Loughlin, who was accused of paying $500,000 in bribes to get both of her daughters into USC by posing as athletic recruits, pleaded not guilty to charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering; she is poised to go to trial alongside Giannulli. Loughlin has since been fired from her numerous TV jobs, including roles on Hallmark series "When Call the Heart" and Netflix's "Full House" revival, "Fuller House."
There's no exact premiere date yet, but "The College Admissions Scandal" is set to debut sometime this fall on Lifetime.
[via: Deadline]