Sarah Drew's Most Rewarding Aspect Of Filming Stolen By Their Father - Exclusive
Actress Sarah Drew is no stranger to the commitment needed to take on a Lifetime movie role. Drew has starred in several Lifetime films over the last few years, but her upcoming role in the thriller "Stolen By Their Father" presented new opportunities and challenges for the star.
"Stolen By Their Father" is based on Lizbeth Meredith's autobiographical memoir, "Piece Of Me: Rescuing My Kidnapped Daughters." Both the memoir and the movie chronicle Meredith's emotionally devastating quest to rescue her two daughters who had been kidnapped by their father, Meredith's abusive ex-husband (per TV Shows Ace).
When setting out to tackle the role, Drew knew that she would be required to film taxing scenes. She was committed to the challenge, though, because she knew how important it was to tell this story as authentically as possible. During an exclusive interview with The List, Sarah Drew discussed the complications of filming a movie of this nature, especially as someone who is the mother of two children. She also revealed the many ways in which this process was rewarding for her, as it highlighted the importance of community and female empowerment.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support on their website.
Sarah Drew says love is the backbone of this story
During an exclusive interview with The List, Sarah Drew discussed both the challenges and rewards of filming her new movie, Lifetime's "Stolen By Their Father." Drew talked about how beneficial it was for her on a personal level to be able to bring her family to Greece with her during filming. It presented them with the opportunity to experience the beautiful country together, and it also helped put things into perspective for Drew while she dealt with the difficult subjects the movie addresses.
In addition to this, Drew mentioned that one of the most rewarding things about shooting "Stolen By Their Father" was the message she took away from watching an early cut of the movie. "It was a very rewarding experience to watch it because I found that as thrilling as the movie is, and it is, it's one of those Ripped From The Headlines thrillers, you are on the edge of your seat. You are in the fight with Lizbeth the whole way through," Drew said.
She continued, "But ... The heartbeat of the whole movie is love, and it's in every frame. It's not revenge. It's not rage. It's not anger. It is everything. It's a pure motivation of love."
She elaborated on how love presents itself in different forms
Throughout "Stolen By Their Father," Sarah Drew says there are numerous examples of love and how it's ultimately the driving force behind Lizbeth Meredith's fight to rescue her children. "It's a love of children. A mother's love for her children. It's a father's love for his daughter, because we go back in time and see Lizbeth's past where her mother actually kidnapped her away from her father as a child," Drew revealed.
She went on to discuss how Meredith has close friends and a community who rallies around her to help her through this impossibly difficult fight for her children. As Drew poignantly put it, "Most of them are women too, so it's really about these women becoming these powerhouses for one another in order to unify this family that's been torn apart, and it's very powerful."
Drew described Meredith as a hero, and mentioned that while Meredith is herself a survivor of kidnapping and abuse, it was important to Drew and to Lifetime to tell this story in a way that wasn't "about victimhood."
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support on their website.
Drew is proud of the way she was able to tell Meredith's story
Sarah Drew is proud of the way Lifetime was able to tell Lizbeth Meredith's story through "Stolen By Their Father." As Drew told The List, "I think sometimes thrillers can be about women being abused, and the reality is that she did live a life being abused by her ex, but she turned it on its head. She survived."
Drew went on to praise Meredith further and highlighted how Meredith has since gone on to work in women's shelters for survivors of domestic violence to help people through the difficult situation Meredith once faced. "You feel that energy thrumming through her in every frame of the movie. She is a survivor. She will survive. She will stop at nothing. And no one can shake her. And it's powerful. It's empowering," Drew said.
The "Grey's Anatomy" actress went on to say that it's important to surround yourself with people and to build a community for yourself, especially when you're struggling with a debilitating issue. "For me, that community is oxygen. I just believe that there is no movement forward or fullness of life without community, in my opinion," Drew said.
"Stolen By Their Father" premieres March 5th on Lifetime.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support on their website.