Honestly, true crime is a tough watch. But when Lifetime released Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story in late 2024, people weren't just watching for the thrills. They were looking for answers to a story so dark it barely felt real. If you’ve seen the headlines, you know the broad strokes: a father and his biological daughter entering a romantic relationship that ended in a horrific triple murder-suicide. It’s heavy stuff.
The Alyssa Pladl story cast had a massive job. They had to take these real-life figures—people who lived through a nightmare—and make them human without glorifying the crimes. Directed by Elisabeth Röhm, the film focuses heavily on Alyssa’s perspective. She’s the woman caught in the middle of a husband’s manipulation and a daughter’s tragic return.
Who are the actors in the Alyssa Pladl story cast?
The heavy lifting in this movie falls on three main actors. You’ve probably seen them before. Jackie Cruz, famous for her role in Orange Is the New Black, plays the lead role of Alyssa Pladl. She brings a specific kind of "raw" energy to the screen. In interviews, Röhm called her "fierce" and "fearless," which makes sense given how much emotional ground she has to cover.
Then there’s Steven Pladl. In the film, he's played by Matthew MacCaull. He has to balance being a charismatic husband and a total monster. It’s a creepy performance. He portrays Steven as a man who slowly isolates the women in his life, eventually manipulating his own daughter, Katie.
Speaking of Katie, she’s played by Matreya Scarrwener. This was likely the hardest role in the entire production. Katie is a victim who was groomed by her own father after seeking out her birth parents as an adult. Scarrwener has to play that confusion and "instant connection" that Steven twisted into something illegal and fatal.
📖 Related: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
A Breakdown of the Main Roles
- Jackie Cruz as Alyssa Pladl: The wife and mother who realizes her family is rotting from the inside.
- Matthew MacCaull as Steven Pladl: The manipulative father who crosses every imaginable line.
- Matreya Scarrwener as Katie Rose Pladl: The biological daughter who reunites with her parents only to be lured into an affair.
- Sebastien Roberts as Eric: A character described by the director as a "romantic lead" and a "hero's journey" figure for Alyssa.
- Joselyn Picard as Caroline Pladl: One of the younger daughters caught in the crossfire.
- Belle Furguson as Jenna Pladl: Another member of the fractured family.
Why this casting mattered for the true story
Casting isn't just about finding people who look like the real victims. It's about the "vibe."
The real Alyssa Pladl (often referred to as Alyssa Fusco in some reports) was just a teenager when she met Steven. The movie uses Cale Ambrozic to play a young Steven and Michelle Avila Navarro as a young Alyssa. This is key. It shows that the cycle of abuse started way before the headlines. Steven was already an adult when he started with Alyssa. By the time their daughter Katie reappeared 18 years later, the power dynamic was already set in stone.
The actors had to show how Steven isolated Alyssa. He made her feel like she was the problem. When Katie came back into their lives, he did the same thing to her. He used the "biological connection" as a weapon.
Where the movie sticks to the facts (and where it doesn't)
Most people watching are curious about the accuracy. Lifetime’s "Ripped from the Headlines" series usually takes some creative liberties, but the core of the Alyssa Pladl story cast performances is rooted in court records and police reports from 2018.
👉 See also: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
The movie shows the reunion. In real life, Katie Rose Fusco found her biological parents through social media in 2016. She moved in with them in North Carolina. That part is accurate. The movie also captures the chilling moment Alyssa finds out about the pregnancy. In reality, Alyssa read one of her other children’s journals and found out Katie and Steven were sleeping together.
The Ending That Shocked Everyone
The film doesn't shy away from the tragedy. In April 2018, Steven Pladl killed the 7-month-old baby he had with Katie (Bennett Pladl), then drove to find Katie and her adoptive father, Anthony Fusco. He killed them both before taking his own life.
The cast had to film these sequences with a lot of sensitivity. Elisabeth Röhm mentioned that the film is basically a "hero's journey" for Alyssa, who survived the abuse and had to pick up the pieces.
Moving beyond the screen
Watching the Alyssa Pladl story cast perform these roles is intense. It's meant to be. The film ends with a slide for the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) hotline. This isn't just for "entertainment." It's a cautionary tale about grooming and domestic control.
✨ Don't miss: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
If you’re following this story, the best next step is to look into the actual case files or listen to the primary source interviews with Alyssa herself. She has been vocal about how Steven used "gaslighting" long before that word was a common term.
Understanding the red flags shown in the film—isolation, shifting blame, and "love bombing"—is the real takeaway here. The actors did their job if you walked away feeling uncomfortable. That discomfort is the point.
Key Actionable Steps:
- Research the Red Flags: If you or someone you know is in a situation where a partner is isolating them from family, check out resources like The Hotline.
- Watch for Context: If you watch the film, pay attention to the early scenes with the "Young Steven" and "Young Alyssa" actors. It sets the stage for the manipulation that happens later.
- Support Survivors: Follow the real Alyssa’s journey if she chooses to share more of her story through official channels or authorized documentaries.