'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything else about the chilling story of a man who killed his family

'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer' tells the horrific story of how Watts murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters and then confessed to the police of his crimes
UPDATED JAN 21, 2020
Christopher Watts (Getty Images)
Christopher Watts (Getty Images)

On the early morning of August 13, 2018, Christopher Lee Watts killed his pregnant wife and their two daughters. When he was interviewed, he admitted to the police that he killed his pregnant wife by strangulation and their daughters by asphyxiation due to smothering. He then disposed the bodies of his daughters in oil tanks and buried his wife in a shallow grave at his work site. 

Lifetime is bringing this chilling story with 'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer'. 

Release date

'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer' premieres on Saturday, January 25, 2019, at 8/7c.

Plot

'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer' tells the horrific story of how Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters and then confessed to the police of his crimes.

People met Watts first when he was seen making desperate pleas to television news cameras for the safe return of his family. But soon, his story begins to fall apart after he fails a lie detector test, eventually confessing to the murders and revealing the gruesome details of the crime.

The official synopsis of the movie reads: "When Chris Watts tearfully pleaded to television cameras for the safe return of his missing pregnant wife Shan'ann and their two young daughters, dark secrets loomed just beneath the surface. As the story spread, hearts went out to the distraught father and husband, who appeared to lead a charmed life. But days later, after failing a lie detector test, Chris confessed to brutally murdering his family and slowly revealed the horrific details of their deaths. Friends and family were left reeling, looking for answers as his double life and secret affair came to light."

Cast

Ashley Williams as Shan'ann Watts

Actress Ashley Williams attends the 2016 Entertainment Weekly & People New York Upfronts VIP Party at Cedar Lake on May 16, 2016, in New York City. (Getty Images)

Williams is playing the role of Chris Watt's pregnant wife Shan'ann Watts, who was strangled to death. The actress is known for her work on 'The Jim Gaffigan Show' and 'Good Morning Miami'. On 'How I Met Your Mother', she starred opposite Josh Radnor in a recurring role as Victoria.

Sean Kleier as Chris Watts

Sean Kleier attends a screening of the YouTube Original Feature Film 'Price Of Free' at MOMA on November 1, 2018, in New York City. (Getty Images)

Kleier will play the role of the evil husband and father Chris Watts. The actor is perhaps best known for his role of Lex Von Weber on 'Odd Mom Out' and Agent Stoltz in 'Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp'. 

Creators

'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer' is directed by Michael Nankin, who is known for his television projects 'Picket Fences', 'The Agency', 'Chicago Hope', 'Early Edition', 'Battlestar Galactica', 'Heroes', 'Lie To Me', 'CSI', 'Hell on Wheels' and 'Black Sails'.

Trailers

Take a look at the trailer for 'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer' here. It offers us a sneak peek into the movie and also shows Watts being interviewed by the police. In between are flashbacks of the life the family lived before the notorious killings.

The trailer in itself is terrifying as the truth about Watt's crimes are not unknown. The movie will include the investigation that went into nailing the killer and his final confession.

Where to watch

Lifetime's 'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer' will premiere on January 25, 2019, at 8/ 7c.

After 'Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer', the network will air 'Beyond the Headlines: The Watts Family Tragedy' on Jan uary 25 at 10/ 9c. The documentary will include special segments including new interviews with Tammy Lee and Shan'ann's close friends Cassandra Rosenberg and Cindy DeRosset. 

If you liked this, you'll love these

'Beyond the Headlines: The Watts Family Tragedy'

'Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile'

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