Lifetime is adapting the story of the 1989 murder of Jose and Kitty Menendez at the hands of their own children; brothers Lyle and Erik. The TV movie begins filming in Vancouver and British Columbia this week.
The story of the Menendez brothers was adapted for Lifetime by Abdi Nazemian and is being directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato. The movie will give viewers insight into the brother’s mental state of mind, which lead to the murder, and the events that took place in the following months. It will also highlight the very public trial process following their arrest. During the trial, the brothers testified that their actions were the result of a lifetime of sexual abuse they endured from their father while their mother provided little to no help.
The brothers were eventually convicted of 2 counts of first-degree murder and were sentenced to life in prison without parole where they still sit today, 28 years since the crime.
Lyle and Erik, will be portrayed by Nico Tortorella (Younger) and Myko Olivier (Glee). Benito Martinez (How to Get Away with Murder) will play the father, an entertainment executive named Jose Menendez. Courtney Love (The People vs. Larry Flynt) is set to play their mother, Kitty Menendez. Courtney was in Vancouver last fall for a role in another project for Lifetime; a TV pilot called A Midsummer’s Nightmare.
Nico Tortorella took to Instagram to share a first look at his character Lyle:
According to the film’s IMDb page, Vancouver-based actresses Alison Wandzura and Jennifer-Juniper Angeli will play attorney Jill Lansing and prosecutor Pamela Bozanich respectively. Last year, Alison appeared in several episodes of Van Helsing while Jennifer was seen in Wayward Pines and Hallmark’s popular fall movie Pumpkin Pie Wars. Meredith Scott Lynn (Days of Our Lives) will play defense attorney Leslie Ambramson.
RELATED: Movies and TV Shows Filming in Vancouver and British Columbia
Menendez: Blood Brothers will be filming Vancouver and British Columbia until March 23rd and premieres June 10th on Lifetime. If you spot Menendez: Blood Brothers filming, be sure to let us know by tweeting us (@WhatsFilming) or via our Submit a Location page.
