Lifetime Will Premiere The Sarah Harris Story
The upcoming film explores the 2022 death of Sarah Harris and the subsequent murder conviction of Dr. James Ryan.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Lifetime will premiere the film A Doctor to Die For: The Sarah Harris Story on October 3, 2026. The movie examines the relationship between Sarah Harris and oral surgeon Dr. James Ryan, who was convicted of second-degree depraved-heart murder following Harris's 2022 fatal drug overdose.
Why it matters
Filmmakers produced this project as a cautionary tale to raise awareness and help protect others from similar tragedies in the future. The production team collaborated closely with the family of Sarah Harris throughout the development of the film.
Dr. James Ryan was convicted of second-degree depraved-heart murder for his role in the fatal 2022 overdose of Sarah Harris. The legal proceedings concluded with this specific charge following a review of the circumstances surrounding their professional and personal relationship.
The players
Sarah Harris
She was a woman who died of a fatal drug overdose in 2022.
Dr. James Ryan
He is an oral surgeon who was convicted of second-degree depraved-heart murder.
Siobhan Williams
She is an actress who portrays the lead character Sarah Harris in the film.
Luke Macfarlane
He is an actor who plays the role of Dr. James Ryan in the production.
Elisabeth Rohm
She is an executive producer who helped lead the film's production.
The details
The film stars Siobhan Williams as Sarah Harris and Luke Macfarlane as Dr. James Ryan. Executive producers Elisabeth Rohm and Kara Feifer led the production, which aims to provide a dramatized account of the events leading up to the 2022 death.
Timeline
Sarah Harris died of a fatal drug overdose in 2022.
The film will premiere on October 3, 2026.
A new film from Rohm Feifer Entertainment is scheduled for release in 2027.
Legal Context
This film narrative is centered on the 2022 conviction of Dr. James Ryan, reflecting a broader public interest in true-crime adaptations that focus on professional accountability. Such productions follow a trend of examining criminal cases to highlight specific failures in medical and personal ethics.
Viewers watching this film may gain perspective on the legal outcomes surrounding medical malpractice and criminal negligence cases. The release serves as a reminder of the public records associated with the original 2022 trial and conviction.
The takeaway
This film illustrates the real-world consequences of criminal actions within professional relationships. By collaborating with the victim's family, the producers intend to create a narrative that serves as a warning against similar future incidents.
Further reading
For additional context on related investigations, visit the Sex Crimes section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TV Insider.
