Bethenny Frankel Enters Her ‘Actress Era’ In Lifetime’s ‘Danger in the Dorm’
From Bravo reality series to Lifetime movie. The Real Housewives of New York City alum Bethenny Frankel is starring in a new ripped-from-the-headlines flick, which premieres June 16. While Frankel gave acting a shot in her 20s, Danger in the Dorm is her first major acting credit.
“In my actress era,” Frankel wrote when she shared a trailer for the movie on her Instagram Story.
Bethenny Frankel says starring in the Lifetime movie ‘exceeded my wildest imagination’
Frankel is no stranger to being in front of the camera after starring in eight seasons of RHONY. But acting in a movie is completely different from appearing in a reality show, she realized.
“In my 20s I briefly attempted acting and was shocked to be asked to immerse myself in such a significant role. My greatest takeaway is to recognize the thankless hard work that the cast and crew input every day,” Frankel said when her casting was announced.
“It exceeded my wildest imagination and I watch TV and movies differently now,” she went on to say. “Cold outdoor scenes and 13-hour days are the norm. It was an incredible experience that I’m grateful to have been afforded. This embarks another possible new chapter in my 50s. As if being an accidental influencer wasn’t enough…. I’m not worthy!”
What is Lifetime’s ‘Danger in the Dorm’ about?
Danger in the Dorm is inspired by one of true crime author Ann Rule’s earliest works, which looked at the case of Nancy Wyckoff, an 18-year-old who was stabbed to death in her dorm room at Oregon State University in 1972.
The movie adaptation tells the story of Kathleen (Clara Alexandrova), whose childhood best friend and fellow classmate, Becky, is murdered. After Becky’s tragic death, Kathleen must shed her rebellious youthful spirit in order to catch a killer who’s preying on young girls around campus, Meanwhile, he mother, Joanne (Frankel), tries to protect Kathleen from suffering the same fate as her friend.
According to Frankel, her acting debut passed muster with the harshest of critics – her own daughter.
“I think I rose to the occasion. I loved the role, and when it mattered, I mustered it up,” Frankel told Us Weekly. “My daughter, who would criticize me — not in a rude way but she would tell me [if I did badly] — she was like, ‘Mama, you were good.’ … So, I think I stuck the landing.”
Danger in the Dorm airs Sunday, June 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime.
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