Elisabeth Röhm on Her Powerful Role in Lifetime’s ‘Sleeping With Danger’: Bringing a True Story of Domestic Violence to Life

Elisabeth Röhm on Portraying a Domestic Violence Survivor in Lifetime’s ‘Sleeping With Danger’ and the Integrity of True Stories

Lifetime continues its compelling foray into gripping true-crime narratives with the highly anticipated movie, Sleeping With Danger, which premiered on August 1st at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This powerful film is the first in a new collection inspired by the renowned Ann Rule’s true crime anthology, promising viewers a deeper, more intimate look into real-life stories of peril and perseverance. The Lifetime movie intricately follows the harrowing journey of Grace Tanner, portrayed with profound depth by acclaimed actress Elisabeth Röhm. Grace, a dedicated flight attendant, finds herself quickly enveloped in what initially appears to be a passionate and idyllic love affair with Paul Carter, brought to life by Antonio Cupo. However, the dream rapidly devolves into a terrifying nightmare as Paul’s intense jealousy and possessive rage culminate in a brutal, life-altering attack. Against immense odds, Grace manages to escape her tormentor and, with remarkable courage, commits to working alongside law enforcement to ensure Paul is brought to justice, transforming from a victim into a determined survivor advocating for her own safety and the safety of others. The film delves into the psychological complexities of an abusive relationship, highlighting the insidious nature of control and the strength required to break free.

HollywoodLife recently had the privilege of sitting down with Elisabeth Röhm to delve into her experience of taking on such a complex and emotionally charged role. During our candid conversation, Röhm openly admitted to feeling an “added sense of responsibility” with this particular portrayal, largely due to the fact that she was embodying a real-life woman whose traumatic experiences were being depicted on screen. This understanding fueled her dedication to an authentic and respectful portrayal. Elisabeth further elaborated on the challenging process of filming the intense and often disturbing scenes with her co-star, Antonio Cupo. She shared how they navigated the emotional demands of the script, focusing on mutual trust and support. Röhm also revealed how she found profound inspiration in the collaborative and authentic performances seen in critically acclaimed dramas like Big Little Lies, highlighting the importance of deep trust and shared commitment among actors in bringing such sensitive narratives to the screen with integrity and realism, ensuring the story’s message resonated powerfully with the audience.

What specifically resonated with you about the role of Grace in Sleeping with Danger that compelled you to become a part of this significant film?
Elisabeth Röhm: I genuinely believe that stories addressing abuse, particularly domestic violence, are not given the platform or the attention they truly deserve in mainstream media. It’s a pervasive issue that often remains hidden in the shadows, affecting countless individuals silently, and I think we, as a society, need to confront it more directly and openly. One of the many aspects I deeply admire about working on projects with Lifetime is their unwavering dedication to bringing stories “ripped from the headlines” to light, often based on true events that demand recognition and understanding. This commitment is particularly evident with Sleeping With Danger, which, as you know, draws from the compelling and often heartbreaking true crime anthology of Ann Rule. The fact that this is a real woman’s life, that these horrific events genuinely transpired for a real person, immediately instilled in me an immense sense of responsibility and reverence for her experience. Portraying a real individual on her journey, one filled with such trauma and eventual triumph over adversity, comes with an added weight and a profound sense of duty to honor her truth. What moved me even more deeply was learning about Grace’s incredible resilience: after this woman bravely escaped her abuser, she dedicated her entire life to actively helping other women navigate similar perilous situations, transforming her own pain into purpose. This selfless commitment to advocacy deeply resonated with me on a personal and professional level. As an actress, I felt a similar calling; I was dedicated to telling her story with the utmost bravery, authenticity, and integrity possible. My hope, my fervent desire, is that any woman (or man) watching this film from home, perhaps experiencing a similar or even subtly related situation of domestic violence, will feel a profound sense of encouragement. I hope they find the courage within themselves to take brave steps towards safety, to understand that there is indeed a better tomorrow waiting for them beyond the darkness of abuse. This, ultimately, is the fundamental reason we choose to tell true stories—so that we can create stronger, more positive, and enduring impacts in the lives of those who need it most, fostering a pathway to healing, empowerment, and ultimately, freedom from fear.

This is undoubtedly a very intense and emotionally demanding role. How did you immerse yourself into the mindset of a woman who experienced such profound abuse as Grace did?
Elisabeth Röhm: To tackle a role of this magnitude, you absolutely must have an exceptional support system and a truly dedicated team around you. I was incredibly fortunate to work with an awesome production company like Lifetime, which is known for its unwavering commitment to these types of powerful, socially relevant narratives. Furthermore, having phenomenal producing partners in Manu Boyer and Kim Raver, who many know as one of the stars of Grey’s Anatomy and a dear friend, made an immeasurable difference; their guidance and support were invaluable. My co-star, Antonio Cupo, was simply amazing – his professionalism, empathy, and willingness to delve into such dark material responsibly were crucial. We truly all sort of held each other’s hands, took a collective deep breath, and collectively dove right into the emotional depths required to portray such a sensitive topic. My approach was essentially, you have to go big or go home. There’s no room for timidness or holding back when you are tasked with telling a story that demands such raw grit and profound vulnerability. We frequently experienced such profound discomfort when we were shooting those particularly intense scenes, the kind of discomfort that mirrors the very reality of abuse. But that very discomfort, that raw, visceral feeling, was not just essential; it was non-negotiable. Without it, you risk delivering a very sanitized, very safe version of a story that is inherently anything but safe, and consequently, it wouldn’t be compelling or impactful to those who need to see its truth. To truly convey the gravity and horror of domestic violence, you have to be willing to venture into that darker, often terrifying place of what abuse genuinely looks and feels like from the inside out, exposing its brutal reality. I believe that my role as the woman enduring the abuse in the story inherently gave everyone involved permission – from the directors to the crew and my fellow actors – to truly embrace the intensity and to shoot these scenes with an unwavering commitment to authenticity and emotional truth. Antonio was incredibly supportive throughout this process, creating a safe space for difficult scenes, and I, in turn, offered him my full support. We established a strong foundation of trust and mutual respect. I was deeply inspired by the performances in Big Little Lies and particularly by what the actors there achieved together in portraying complex, abusive relationships. The chemistry and trust between Alexander Skarsgard and Nicole Kidman, for instance, was palpable and clearly built on profound mutual respect and understanding of the material. I believe that’s precisely what Antonio and I strived to achieve in our own dynamic. We genuinely worked to cultivate as much trust between each other as humanly possible, especially during those incredibly challenging and emotionally draining scenes. We made a conscious effort to hold a very sacred and protected space for one another, giving each other the explicit permission to explore and inhabit a very dark and emotionally taxing place together, all in service of telling Grace’s story truthfully. I am immensely grateful to him for his willingness and ability to journey there with me, allowing us to deliver a portrayal that we hope resonates deeply and genuinely with audiences.

Given that your character, Grace, is based on a real person, were you able to communicate or meet with her directly as part of your preparation?
Elisabeth Röhm: While I unfortunately did not have the opportunity to speak with her directly, which is sometimes the case with true-crime adaptations where anonymity and protection of the survivor are paramount, I dedicated a significant amount of time to extensive research. I specifically watched a documentary that comprehensively covered her life and her harrowing experience. This documentary provided invaluable insights into her journey, her resilience, and the profound impact of the events she endured, allowing me to connect with her story on a deeply personal level despite the lack of direct contact. The fact that her story was not a work of fiction, but was truly based on the horrifying experience of one courageous woman, amplified my sense of responsibility exponentially. It wasn’t just about bringing a character to life; it was about honoring a real person’s pain, survival, and ultimate triumph over unimaginable circumstances. What truly struck me and further deepened my commitment was learning about her actions *after* she managed to escape her abuser. She didn’t merely build a new life for herself, carefully cultivating anonymity and healing; she went above and beyond. She dedicated a significant portion of her time and energy to actively working with the police, aiding them in tracking down her perpetrator. Her motivation was selfless: to ensure he could not harm, or potentially even kill, another innocent woman. This dedication to justice, prevention, and the protection of others profoundly moved me and shaped every nuance of my portrayal. I believe that when we, as actors, are entrusted with playing true-life characters, there’s an inherent, elevated sense of responsibility to represent their truth. Our ultimate hope is that when the real individuals, or those close to them, witness our portrayal, they feel that we handled their experiences with the utmost integrity, respect, and bravery. My sincere hope is that when this remarkable woman sees the film, she feels that I portrayed her honestly, authentically, and with the deep respect her journey deserves, truly capturing the essence of her strength, vulnerability, and her incredible journey towards justice and selfless advocacy.

Beyond the technical aspects of acting, you must also feel a considerable amount of emotional pressure knowing you are portraying a real person’s trauma and resilience.
Elisabeth Röhm: Absolutely, the emotional weight and pressure are immense, and they are multifaceted. It’s not just about doing justice to the individual whose story we are telling, but also about the broader implications and the societal message it carries. You’re constantly thinking about the countless other people who may be going through similar, terrifying experiences right now, many of whom are suffering in silence behind closed doors. In particular, I want to emphasize that I am keenly aware that with so many people quarantining and spending extended periods at home in recent times, there has been a concerning and significant rise in incidents of domestic violence across the globe. This grim reality adds an even greater urgency and profound responsibility to our work, transforming the film into more than just entertainment – it becomes a vital public service message. Therefore, beyond the film itself, I want to wholeheartedly encourage anyone in an abusive situation – whether a woman or a man, regardless of age or background – to prioritize their safety and well-being above all else. I urge them to take those incredibly brave, often terrifying, but ultimately life-saving steps to remove themselves from an abusive relationship. This film, and my portrayal within it, felt profoundly responsible in its aim: to depict the realities of domestic violence in the most authentic and unflinching way possible, showing both the darkness and the path to escape. My deepest desire was that if you, the viewer, were a woman or a man currently in a situation that felt eerily similar to Grace’s, you would see yourself reflected authentically within these characters and their struggles. The ultimate goal is for the film to have a tangible, positive impact – to serve not just as entertainment, but as a catalyst for awareness, a source of encouragement, and a powerful reminder that help is available, that you are not alone, and that a life free from fear is not just a hope, but a fundamental human right that every individual deserves to claim. We hope that by bravely shining a light on these difficult truths, we can empower individuals to seek help, find their path to safety and healing, and ultimately, break the cycle of violence for themselves and for future generations.