On June 6, Lifetime announced the release of its new movie, “Jodi Arias: Dirty Little Secret”. The movie is based off of the real-life murder trial of Jodi Arias, who was found guilty on May 8 of murder in the first degree of her ex-boyfriend Travis Alexander. The crime was one rooted in lies, passion, sex and deceit–some of Lifetime’s favorite qualities.
The Jodi Arias trial first hit television in a 2009 episode of 48 Hours, beginning its constant broadcasting to the public. Arias agreed to speak with CBS News when she was in Estrella Jail, revealing an incredible story of what she claimed has taken place. CBS News reports that the interview served as “the first time in the history of 48 Hours, [an interview] was used as evidence in a death penalty trial.”
Alexander was found dead in his home in Phoenix, Arizona on June 4, 2008. His body was covered with almost thirty stab wounds and a bullet to the head. Arias was immediately made a suspect, who was accused of stalking Alexander after he had recently broken off their relationship. The Hollywood Reporter notes Lifetime described the trail as a “grand theater” that “[dominated] the cable news networks as she testified in her own defense and offered explicit insight into the sex, lies and obsession that led up to Alexander’s murder.”
Lost star Tania Raymonde will play Arias in the Lifetime film. Other cast members include the Mob Doctor’s Jesse Lee Soffer, Ugly Betty’s Tony Plana and Dexter’s David Zayas. The movie premieres on June 22 at 8 pm ET on Lifetime.