LIFETIME Television Announces Production on the Lifetime Original Movie 'The Murder of Princess Diana'

Murder of Princess Diana,' Starring Jennifer Morrison ('House'), From Working Title Television, The Sister Television Company of the Award-Winning UK Working Title Films ('United 93,' 'Bridget Jones' Diary' and 'Pride and Prejudice')

Premieres in August To Coincide With 10th Anniversary of Diana's Death

LOS ANGELES, Calif., June 6 -- Fascination with Princess Diana continues, with more than 180 books currently in print and 14 new titles planned for this summer to coincide with the 10th anniversary of her death, along with the ongoing official British government inquest into the accident that caused it. Today, Lifetime Television announced it has started production on the Lifetime Original Movie "The Murder of Princess Diana," a fictionalized account of the book by the same name by Noel Botham, which theorized that the car crash that claimed the lives of the Princess of Wales, her companion Dodi Fayed and their chauffeur Henri Paul, was a conspiracy.

The movie is produced by Working Title Television, the sister company to the award-winning production company, Working Title Films, which explored a similarly explosive dramatization in the critically acclaimed "United 93," along with producing such international hits as "Bridget Jones' Diary" and "Pride and Prejudice."

"The Murder of Princess Diana" stars Jennifer Morrison ("House") and is currently filming in Luxembourg and Paris. The telefilm is scheduled to premiere on Lifetime in August.

In making the announcement, Susanne Daniels, President, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks, said, "An iconic figure to millions during her life, Princess Diana's death is still viewed as an unsolved mystery, despite the official police investigation that concluded that the crash was a tragic accident. In fact, in a recent BBC poll, 31% of British citizens surveyed said they believed her death was not an accident. In this movie, we are sharing a dramatic story that will appeal to millions of people's continued fascination with both the facts and speculation surrounding the case."

"This is the first ever dramatic portrayal of events around the evening of, and immediately after, Diana's tragic death. It raises some very difficult questions," added Executive Producer, Simon Wright.

"The Murder of Princess Diana" focuses on the hours leading up to and directly following the tragic deaths of Diana, Fayed and Paul. In the movie, Rachel (Morrison), an American journalist in Paris, witnesses the fateful accident. As the shocking news of Diana's death reverberates around the world, Rachel is suspicious that something rings false with the official version surrounding Diana's death. Rachel begins her own investigation searching for the truth - leading her to believe there is much more to the story than a simple car crash.

Enlisting the help of her former lover Thomas, a police officer, Rachel finds herself further embroiled in what she believes is a conspiracy to murder the Princess. As she gets closer to uncovering the details of Diana's death, Rachel soon learns that there are powerful people out there who will stop at nothing to silence her.

Jennifer Morrison currently stars as Dr. Allison Cameron on the hit FOX series, "House." Prior, Morrison had a recurring role on "Dawson's Creek" where she played Joshua Jackson's on-and-off again girlfriend. Morrison's feature film credits include "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "Surviving Christmas," "Intersection," "Mall Cop" and "Stir of Echoes." Morrison has a degree in theater from Loyola University Chicago and studied with the famed Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

"The Murder of Princess Diana" is produced by Working Title Television for Lifetime Television. Simon Wright ("Tales of the City") is the executive producer and Priscilla Parish ("The Robber Bride") serves as associate producer. Julia Stannard ("Robber Bride") is producer and John Strickland ("Big Love") is the director. Emma Reeves ("Doctors") and Reg Gadney ("Kennedy") wrote the teleplay.

Working Title Television is the sister television company of Working Title Films, a British film production company, based in London, England. It has been one of the most successful British film companies of recent years. It produces feature films and some television productions. It is famous for its Richard Curtis-scripted romantic comedies and Coen Brothers films, but has in recent times moved into many other types of film, such as "United 93" "Bridget Jones: Edge of Reason," "Pride and Prejudice," "Nanny McPhee" and "Love, Actually."

Founded by Working Title Films in 1984, Working Title Television (WTTV) produces high quality event television films for the UK, US and international markets. WTTV makes a small number of high end TV movies and mini-series in partnership with UK and US broadcasters. The company's productions have won 8 BAFTAs, a Golden Globe, an RTS Award and have been nominated for 10 Emmys. Some of WTTV's recent productions include "The Robber Bride," "Perfect Strangers," "The Other Woman," The mini-series "Tales of the City" and its two Emmy nominated sequels "More Tales of the City" and "Further Tales of the City" for Showtime and the Golden Globe winning "The Last of the Blonde Bombshells" for HBO and the BBC starring Judi Dench and Ian Holm.

LIFETIME is the leader in women's television and one of the top-rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multi-media company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, LMN, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including LifetimeTV.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of The Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

SOURCE LIFETIME Television
http://www.lifetimetv.com/