Body of Influence: Lifetime’s Upcoming Thriller Explores Social Media, Family Secrets, and Murder
Lifetime is set to unveil its next original telefilm, and it’s a gripping blend of domestic mystery, online obsession, and emotional suspense. Titled Body of Influence, the film follows a woman caught in a dangerous investigation after her daughter’s favorite social media star is mysteriously killed. With production underway and casting beginning to take shape, Body of Influence is a must-watch—and a potential opportunity for actors aiming to break into Lifetime’s expanding thriller slate.
Plot Summary
Body of Influence centers on a single mother whose already fragile relationship with her troubled daughter takes a dark turn when the girl’s favorite influencer is found dead. As the mother begins digging into the circumstances surrounding the murder, she discovers that her ex-husband’s new family has a suspicious connection to the case.
What starts as maternal concern turns into a full-fledged investigation, uncovering deep-seated secrets, betrayals, and buried motives. As the lines between personal protection and obsession blur, Body of Influence explores how social media, fame, and unresolved relationships can collide in explosive ways.
Creative Team
The film is directed by Ilona Smyth, a Canadian-based filmmaker and casting director known for her work on multiple Lifetime features and North American television dramas. Body of Influence continues her pattern of telling high-stakes, character-driven stories, often featuring female protagonists in emotionally complex roles.
While specific screenwriters or executive producers have not been officially named, the project is being produced under the Lifetime Television brand, which is recognized for delivering suspenseful, socially relevant telefilms for domestic and international audiences.
Production & Filming Location
Filming for Body of Influence is taking place in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, a well-established location for Lifetime’s North American productions. The region offers versatile locations, cost-effective production support, and access to a talented pool of Canadian actors and crew members.
Production began in mid-2025, with the project listed on major industry platforms as a telefilm in active development. While a specific premiere date has not been released, it is expected to debut on Lifetime in late 2025 or early 2026.
Casting Director Spotlight: Ilona Smyth
One of the standout elements of Body of Influence is that director Ilona Smyth is also serving as the film’s casting director. Through her company, Smyth Casting, she has become a trusted name in Canadian casting circles, known for bringing fresh, emotionally resonant talent to Lifetime projects.
With over a decade of experience and more than 100 credits across film and television, Smyth’s casting approach prioritizes authenticity and layered performances. Her dual role as both director and casting lead allows her to ensure that each character is portrayed with emotional depth and narrative precision—making Body of Influence a prime opportunity for both lead and supporting actors.
Why Body of Influence Stands Out
- Topical Storyline: The film tackles themes of social media obsession, maternal protection, and post-divorce tension, all wrapped in a tightly plotted thriller.
- Strong Female Leads: With a mother-daughter relationship at its center, the film offers challenging roles for female actors across multiple age ranges.
- Casting and Direction Synergy: Ilona Smyth’s dual position as casting director and filmmaker ensures that the ensemble cast will be closely aligned with the emotional tone and narrative goals of the project.
- Lifetime’s Expanding Slate: As Lifetime continues to invest in original thrillers and psychological dramas, Body of Influence fits squarely into a growing lineup that values bold stories and strong performances.
Stay Connected with Project Casting
Interested in auditioning for Lifetime’s Body of Influence or similar mystery-driven telefilms? Whether you’re based in Canada or the U.S., Project Casting is your go-to platform for casting news, role breakdowns, and production alerts.
To audition for a role in Body of Influence, stay tuned to Project Casting. We’ll keep you posted as soon as jobs become available.
