Sarah Cleveland is earning praise for her gripping performance in Lifetime’s The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story, which premiered on September 20th.
Part of the network’s acclaimed Ripped From the Headlines series, the true-crime drama revisits the chilling events of 1980s Los Angeles, where a teenage girl narrowly escaped the clutches of a notorious serial killer.
Cleveland takes on the emotional role of Jane McCabe, the distraught mother of Tracey Campbell, whose disappearance exposes the killer’s crimes. Her portrayal brings a raw humanity to a story that explores survival, resilience, and the dangers young women faced while pursuing their dreams.
About the Film
Inspired by true events from 1980s Los Angeles, the film follows 15-year-old Alina Thompson, a teenager chasing her modelling dreams. What begins as an exciting opportunity at a local “Fresh Face” contest soon turns into a nightmare when she crosses paths with a manipulative photographer who preys on vulnerable young women.
The drama captures both the lure of big opportunities and the hidden dangers behind them. Alina’s determination to pursue her goals collides with the harsh reality her parents, Carl and Nancy, have always feared: that predators often hide in plain sight. As Alina’s story unfolds, viewers are reminded of the importance of intuition, boundaries, and safety.
Sarah Cleveland plays Jane McCabe, the mother of Tracey Campbell, another young girl whose disappearance reveals the sinister pattern of serial killer William Bradford. The role demanded emotional intensity, something Cleveland connected with on a very personal level.
Reflecting on what drew her to the film, she explained: “First off, what drew me to this project was that it’s based on a true story. But also, it was produced by some truly wonderful people I’ve had the pleasure of working with before. And when it came to playing Jane McCabe, being a mom to three girls myself was more than enough reason to step into the role.”
Sarah Cleveland’s Role as Jane McCabe
In The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story, Sarah Cleveland steps into the shoes of Jane McCabe, a mother living every parent’s worst nightmare. Jane’s daughter, Tracey Campbell, vanishes, and her disappearance exposes the twisted crimes of serial killer William Bradford. For Cleveland, who is herself the mother of three daughters, the emotional weight of the role struck close to home.
To prepare, she drew on her own experience of panic as a parent. She recalled a moment at the mall when her daughter, old enough to walk around with friends, didn’t meet her at their planned spot. “When she didn’t show up, I called her phone, only to realize it was in my purse. Panic set in. I walked the store she’d been in over and over, asking anyone I could if they had seen her. I started yelling her name, crying, terrified. Those fifteen minutes were the worst of my life.”
Though her daughter was fine, the fear she felt became the foundation for channelling Jane’s pain. “If those 15 minutes could affect me so deeply,” she reflected, “I can’t even begin to understand the unimaginable pain and horror Jane endured.”
This personal connection gave her performance a rawness that resonates on screen. Playing Jane wasn’t just about portraying grief; it was about honouring the real people whose lives were forever changed.
Behind the Scenes with Sarah
For Sarah Cleveland, preparing to play Jane McCabe went far beyond memorizing lines. She immersed herself in every detail she could find, from character notes to the full script, and carefully constructed a backstory to understand Jane’s world. Interestingly, she always leaves memorization for last, believing that knowing the character’s inner life makes the dialogue feel more natural.
Because Jane McCabe was inspired by a real person, Cleveland approached the role with extra care. She had portrayed characters who faced trauma before, but this was her first time stepping into a story rooted in real events. Her goal was to honour the truth of Jane’s experience and ensure her portrayal carried the weight and respect it deserved.
The emotional demands of the film were balanced by moments of joy on set. Working alongside actors such as Ashley Jones, Michelle Ouellet, and Steve Byers left a lasting impression on Cleveland, who described them as not only talented but also genuinely kind. That sense of connection behind the camera helped her navigate the intensity of the subject matter with greater ease.
Broader Themes & Audience Takeaways
Lifetime’s Ripped From the Headlines films resonate because they deal with real stories that could happen to anyone, and The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story is no exception. Beyond its suspense, the film opens space for important conversations between parents and teenagers about safety and trust.
Cleveland sees the project as more than just entertainment; for her, it highlights the reality that predators often hide behind opportunity, particularly when young people are chasing big dreams. She hopes the film encourages audiences, especially young women, to pay attention to their instincts, recognize red flags, and not dismiss the uneasy feeling that something may be wrong.
At its core, the story is not only about danger but also about resilience and survival. For Cleveland, these themes reflect the importance of setting boundaries, listening to one’s inner voice, and supporting each other in creating safer spaces for women to pursue their ambitions without fear of exploitation.
Wrapping Up
Sarah Cleveland’s performance in The Girl Who Survived: The Alina Thompson Story marks another milestone in her career, showcasing both her emotional depth and her commitment to telling stories that matter. But 2025 is proving to be an even bigger year for the Canadian actress.
Alongside the premiere, she has several projects rolling out. Falsehood recently had its Market Screening at TIFF, while Negative Capability premiered at the Toronto Independent Film Festival. In November, she’ll be attending a special screening of Learning You, and in December she steps behind and in front of the camera with Love In All The Small Places, a project she wrote, co-directs, co-produces, and stars in.
Balancing acting with writing, producing, and even directing, Cleveland continues to build a body of work rooted in authenticity and collaboration. Whether on screen or behind the scenes, she remains dedicated to storytelling that sparks conversation and connection.
As The Girl Who Survived finds its audience, Cleveland’s portrayal of Jane McCabe stands as both a tribute to real-life resilience and a reminder of the power of film to illuminate difficult truths.
(Quotes featured in this post are from naludamagazine.com)