Ricki Lake is returning to a dramatic character role as Judy Cox, the mother of Susan Cox Powell, in Lifetime’s upcoming movie She Married Her Murderer: The Susan Cox Powell Story.
Matreya Scarrwener has been cast as Susan, with Mike Dopud playing her father, Chuck Cox. Jonathan Whitesell will portray Susan’s husband, Josh Powell.
Elisabeth Röhm will direct the film for Lifetime’s Ripped From the Headlines lineup, which dramatizes real criminal cases.
A premiere is planned for early 2027, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
The Movie Follows the Cox Family’s Fight for Their Grandsons
Lifetime’s synopsis describes Susan as a young mother living in a controlling and abusive marriage. The story also addresses her father-in-law Steve Powell’s obsession with her, according to EntertainmentNow.
Judy and Chuck’s search for their daughter and custody fight for their grandsons form a central part of the movie as media attention grows around the family.
The film also depicts the Cox family’s advocacy through the Susan Cox Powell Foundation, including support for families of missing people, domestic-abuse awareness and stronger protections for children in custody cases involving domestic violence.
The Investigation Into Susan’s Disappearance Remains Unresolved
Susan was 28 when she was last seen at her home in West Valley City, Utah, on Dec. 6, 2009. Josh told investigators he had taken the couple’s sons, Charlie and Braden, on an overnight camping trip to Utah’s West Desert during a winter storm while Susan stayed home.
A released police case summary documents the discovery of Susan’s cellphone in the minivan Josh had been driving and her blood on the floor near a sofa in the family home. Investigators also recovered writings in which she expressed concerns about her marriage and what could happen if she pursued a divorce.
The Coxes received temporary custody of the boys in September 2011. On Feb. 5, 2012, Josh killed Charlie, 7, Braden, 5, and himself during a court-ordered supervised visit at his home in Graham, Washington. A Washington state fatality review documented how he locked the visitation monitor outside before setting the house on fire.
Police publicly identified both Josh and his brother Michael as persons of interest in Susan’s disappearance. Neither was charged in connection with her disappearance. ABC News reported in 2013 that investigators lacked the evidence needed to bring charges. Police ended the active phase of the investigation that year, saying they would continue to pursue credible new information. Susan has never been found.
Lake’s Earlier Lifetime Role Was in Under the Christmas Tree
Lake broke through as Tracy Turnblad in John Waters’ 1988 film Hairspray. Her later film credits included Cry-Baby, Serial Mom and Mrs. Winterbourne. Alongside her film work, she became a daytime television fixture as the host of Ricki Lake, which ran for 11 seasons.
In Lifetime’s 2021 holiday movie Under the Christmas Tree, she played a small-town pastry chef who helps bring together a marketing professional and a Christmas tree scout, played by Elise Bauman and Tattiawna Jones. She also appeared as herself in the 2022 comedy-drama Moon Manor.
Röhm Adds an Eighth Film to Her Lifetime Directing Credits
Röhm’s previous movies for the network include Girl in the Basement, Girl in Room 13 and Devil on Campus: The Larry Ray Story. Röhm previously directed Scarrwener in Husband, Father, Killer.
Before moving behind the camera, Röhm spent four seasons playing prosecutor Serena Southerlyn on Law & Order. For the new film, she and Kara Feifer will serve as executive producers through Röhm Feifer Entertainment. Waneta Storms wrote the screenplay.