Let’s be real. Lifetime movies are usually a bit of a guilty pleasure—a mix of high drama, questionable wigs, and predictable plot twists. But then there’s She Made Them Do It. It’s that one movie that stuck in people's brains long after the credits rolled, mostly because the She Made Them Do It cast delivered performances that felt way too grounded for a TV movie. We aren't talking about a "damsel in distress" story here. We’re talking about Sarah Pender. If that name doesn't ring a bell, the face of Jenna Dewan definitely will.
It came out back in 2013. At the time, Jenna Dewan was still very much "the girl from Step Up," but this role flipped the script. She played a woman convicted of a double murder who then managed to escape a maximum-security prison. It’s wild. Even wilder? It actually happened.
The Powerhouse at the Center: Jenna Dewan as Sarah Pender
When you look at the She Made Them Do It cast, Jenna Dewan is obviously the gravity that holds the whole thing together. She plays Sarah Pender with this weird, magnetic energy that makes it hard to tell if she’s a victim or a master manipulator. Honestly, that’s exactly what the real-life case was like.
Pender was labeled "the female Charles Manson" by some prosecutors. That's a heavy title. Dewan doesn't play her as a mustache-twirling villain, though. She plays her as someone who knows exactly how to use her charm to get people—specifically men—to do exactly what she wants. It’s a chilling performance because it’s so subtle. You see her character navigate the social hierarchy of the prison system and the outside world with the same cold efficiency.
Most people forget that before her high-profile marriage and later roles in things like The Rookie, Dewan was really grinding in these character-driven TV movies. She had to carry the emotional weight of a woman who was technically a "Fugitive from Justice," and she did it while making the audience almost root for her. Almost.
Mackenzie Phillips and the Supporting Heavy Hitters
You can't talk about this cast without mentioning Mackenzie Phillips. She plays Jamie, a fellow inmate who becomes a pivotal part of Sarah's journey. Phillips brings a level of grit and "seen-it-all" wisdom to the screen that you just can't fake. Having an actress with her history and caliber in a Lifetime production immediately elevated the material.
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Then there’s Greyston Holt. He plays Rick, the guy who gets caught up in Sarah's web. Holt is one of those faces you’ve seen in a million things—Bitten, Riverdale, Chesapeake Shores. In this movie, he has to play "the fall guy." It’s a thankless job in some ways, but he nails the desperation of a man who is clearly out of his league.
- Nels Lennarson plays the investigator. He brings that dogged, "I’m going to catch you" energy that every good thriller needs.
- Steve Bacic shows up as Sean. Bacic is a sci-fi legend (remember Andromeda?), so seeing him in a gritty crime drama was a cool change of pace for fans of the genre.
- Lucia Walters plays various roles in the legal and carceral system, providing the necessary friction for Sarah’s character to rub against.
The chemistry between these actors is what makes the movie re-watchable. Usually, in these types of films, the supporting cast is just there to fill space. Here, they feel like real people with their own messy motivations.
Why the Real Story Behind the Cast Matters
People search for the She Made Them Do It cast because they want to know if the real people were actually like that. The movie is based on the true story of Sarah Jo Pender, who was convicted of killing her roommates in Indiana. She spent over 100 days on the run after a daring escape from the Rockville Correctional Facility.
The movie focuses heavily on the escape and the manipulation, but the real-life trial was a circus. One of the biggest criticisms of the case was that Pender wasn't even the one who pulled the trigger—her boyfriend did. But the prosecution argued she was the "mastermind." Sound familiar? That’s why Dewan’s performance is so crucial. She has to play a woman who might be innocent of the physical act but is 100% guilty of the psychological control.
Interestingly, the real Sarah Pender has actually commented on the movie from behind bars. She wasn't exactly a fan. That’s usually the case with these dramatizations. They take the "truth" and polish it until it shines for a 90-minute time slot. But for the actors, it was a chance to play in a very dark sandbox.
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Casting Choices: Why It Worked
A lot of people ask why Jenna Dewan was chosen for this. At first glance, she’s "too pretty" or "too polished" for a gritty prison break movie. But that’s the point. The real Sarah Pender was a charismatic, attractive woman who used her appearance to fly under the radar. If they had cast someone who looked "dangerous," the plot wouldn't have worked. You needed someone who looked like the girl next door while she was planning a prison break with a hacksaw.
The production team, including director Grant Harvey, clearly understood this. They surrounded Dewan with actors who looked like they belonged in the Midwest. It created this contrast. You have the "star" in the middle of a very drab, very dangerous world.
Where is the Cast Now?
It's been over a decade since the movie premiered. The She Made Them Do It cast has moved on to some pretty big things.
Jenna Dewan is basically a household name now. She’s a producer, a dancer, and a regular on network TV. For her, this movie was a stepping stone to proving she could handle lead roles that weren't just about dancing.
Mackenzie Phillips has become a huge advocate for recovery and mental health, while still taking roles that fit her "tough-as-nails" persona. Greyston Holt has become a staple of the Hallmark and thriller circuits, proving that he can play both the romantic lead and the guy who makes a massive mistake for love.
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The Legacy of a Lifetime Thriller
We see these movies cycle through Netflix and Hulu every few months. She Made Them Do It usually pops up in the "Trending" or "Recommended" sections because true crime never goes out of style. The fascination with female criminals—especially ones who escape—is a massive draw.
The movie doesn't try to be The Shawshank Redemption. It knows it's a Lifetime movie. But it treats the subject matter with enough respect that it doesn't feel cheap. That is entirely due to the ensemble. They took a script that could have been campy and made it feel like a genuine character study.
Practical Takeaways for True Crime Fans
If you're diving into the world of Sarah Pender and this specific film, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the full picture:
- Watch the Documentary First: If you can find the Fatal Vows or World's Most Wanted episodes on Sarah Pender, watch those. It gives you the "unpolished" version of the facts before you see Jenna Dewan's version.
- Compare the Trial Evidence: The movie skips over some of the more technical aspects of the ballistics and the snitch testimony that eventually sent Pender to jail.
- Look for the Nuance: Pay attention to the scenes where Sarah is alone. Those are the moments where the cast really shines, showing the fear behind the "mastermind" facade.
- Check the Credits: Many of the supporting actors in the She Made Them Do It cast are Canadian staples. If you like the "vibe" of this movie, look up other productions by Grant Harvey; he has a specific way of shooting thrillers that feels more cinematic than your average TV flick.
The story of Sarah Pender is far from over. She has continued to fight for her freedom, claiming she was wrongfully convicted based on perjured testimony. While the movie ends with her capture, the real-life legal battle has dragged on for years. This adds a layer of "what if" to the film that most Lifetime movies lack. You aren't just watching a story; you're watching a snapshot of a legal controversy that is still being debated in some circles today.
Next time you see it on your streaming guide, don't just scroll past. It's a masterclass in how a dedicated cast can turn a standard TV script into something that actually stays with you.