The 2020 Lifetime TV movie CHRIS WATTS: CONFESSIONS OF A KILLER, directed by Michael Nankin and written by Barbara Marshall, revisits one of the most chilling true crime cases in recent American history. The film stars Sean Kleier as Chris Watts and Ashley Williams as Shanann Watts. It dramatizes the horrifying double life of a man who murdered his pregnant wife and two young daughters while pretending to be a loving family man.
IS CHRIS WATTS: CONFESSIONS OF A KILLER BASED ON A TRUE STORY?
Yes, Chris Watts: Confessions of a Killer is a dramatization of a true crime story. The horrible crimes took place in Frederick, Colorado, early on August 13, 2018. Chris Watts, who was born in 1985, strangled to death his 15-weeks pregnant wife Shanann Watts. After that, he suffocated their two daughters, Celeste (3) and Bella (4), and dumped their bodies at his workplace, which was close to an oil spill.
At first, Chris Watts begged everyone in public for their safe return. But within days, he admitted to killing the people. The brutality and planning behind the crimes shocked the whole country. When Watts pleaded guilty in November 2018, he avoided the death penalty and was given five life sentences without the chance to get out.This horrifying case drew widespread media attention and was the subject of multiple documentaries and dramatizations, including this Lifetime film.
WHEN AND WHERE WAS THE MOVIE FILMED?
Although the real crime took place in Colorado, the Lifetime film was not shot there. Instead, the production team chose to recreate the suburban settings and emotional backdrops of the real story in Nova Scotia, Canada. The principal photography took place in August 2019.
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA – THE MAIN FILMING LOCATION
Most of the movie was filmed in Halifax, the capital city of Nova Scotia. Known for its rich architecture, scenic coastlines, and production-friendly environment, Halifax was able to double for suburban Colorado with ease.
The filmmakers utilized various residential neighborhoods and urban settings within Halifax to depict the Watts family’s home and surroundings. The city’s historic buildings and modern infrastructure allowed for a seamless blend of past and present aesthetics, which suited the dual nature of Chris Watts’ public and private personas.
Halifax has become a popular location for film and TV production thanks to its professional studios, equipment rentals, and a strong local talent pool. It also offers various rental homes used in filming to stand in for interiors and domestic spaces. Additionally, the city’s coastal scenery and harbors provided atmospheric exterior shots.
DARTMOUTH, NOVA SCOTIA – SUPPORTING LOCATION
Apart from Halifax, Dartmouth—a neighboring community across the harbor—was another key filming location. Known as the “City of Lakes,” Dartmouth offers over 20 lakes that make it visually distinctive.
Some of the indoor scenes and beach sequences were filmed in Dartmouth. Its residential areas and tranquil lakes provided a contrasting backdrop to the film’s darker narrative.
These locations helped the filmmakers recreate emotional and scenic sequences, lending a naturalistic tone to the movie without needing CGI or large-scale set construction.
OFFICIAL TRAILER
Stay tuned to Netfilming.com for more exclusive updates on filming locations and production details.
Where Was Cleveland Abduction (2015) Filmed? Complete Filming Locations Guide
