Lifetime orders House of Versace TV movie

Lifetime has ordered a TV movie chronicling the life of celebrity designer Donatella Versace.

The film will be based on Wall Street Journal reporter Deborah Ball’s book House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival.

The TV movie will be made by Marvista and star Gina Gershon (Rescue Me) in the titular role as well as Raquel Welch in a supporting role.

It will follow Versace’s journey following the 1997 assassination of her brother, her descent into drug addiction and ultimate success in rebuilding the fashion brand.

The movie goes out on female-skewing Lifetime in a 10pm slot on October 5.

The transmission of the movie will be followed by CBS-produced one-hour documentary, Versace: Beyond the Headlines, examining Gianni Versace’s role in the fashion business.