AMC’s Bruening Is Playing A Bully!

ALL MY CHILDREN alum Justin Bruening (Jamie) takes a walk on the dark side this Saturday night in the Lifetime Original Movie Blue-Eyed Butcher, based on the true story about Susan Wright who was sentenced to 20 years in prison after stabbing her abusive husband nearly 200 times. “It happened in Texas [in 2003], and the movie is based off of that whole gruesome incident,” Bruening offers. “It’s a real-life little soap opera going on!”

In the film, Bruening plays Jeff, the murdered husband. The Wrights seem to have a fairytale life, but six years into their marriage, it all crumbles when Jeff is found dead and buried in their backyard. While the police accuse Susan of pre-meditated murder — luring him into their bedroom, tying him up and repeatedly stabbing him before haphazardly cleaning up the crime scene — Mrs. Wright maintains that she was a battered and abused wife who was acting out of self-preservation for herself and her children. Sara Paxton plays Susan, and HOUSE star Lisa Edelstein portrays the prosecutor who argues that the defendant is not a victim of domestic violence, but actually a cunning sociopath who has used her good looks to try to get away with anything in life… including murder!

As Susan’s trial unfolds, the events that took place between the formerly happily married couple are flashed back on. “I usually play the nice guy, but lately I’ve been playing darker characters,” Bruening acknowledges of the surprising casting. “I think it’s fun in this business to stretch myself.”

This movie certainly gave him the opportunity to do just that! “I read the script and saw that there were few things I had to do where I was like ooooh this is so awkward, especially since Sara is so sweet and nice,” he confides. “I have to choke her, beat her, kick her… People aren’t gonna like me much.”

Blue-Eyed Butcher will make its world premiere on Saturday, March 3, at 8 p.m. on Lifetime.