“General Hospital” star Chloe Lanier has ditched her villainous alter ego, Nelle Benson, for a new role in an upcoming Lifetime movie.
The actress, who played the ruthless villainess of Port Charles from 2016 to 2020, is set to star as Mary Jo Buttafuoco in “I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco.”
Lifetime just dropped the film’s official trailer, giving fans a glimpse of Lanier’s bold look for the role.
In the video, Lanier channels Buttafuoco through a dramatic transformation. The actress even ditched her long locks, debuting a pixie cut after her character is shot in the head.
Aside from the hair, Lanier also emulates Buttafuoco’s Long Island accent, which drew mixed reactions from fans.
‘General Hospital’s’ Chloe Lanier as Mary Jo Buttafuoco
In May 1992, Buttafuoco was shot at close range by Amy Fisher, the teenager mistress of her husband, Joey.
“It’s been 33 years since I was thrust into the true crime spotlight after surviving a near-fatal gunshot wound to the head at the hands of my husband’s teenage lover,” Buttafuoco said in a statement (via Deadline). “n the years that followed, I endured extreme public scrutiny, relentless media coverage, and was often mocked and misunderstood in the public eye. What many didn’t see was the private toll it took—battling depression, suicidal thoughts, and addiction as I tried to make sense of a life that had been so violently and publicly shattered.”
The Lifetime original film is executive-produced and narrated by Buttafuoco herself.
“A lot of people think they know my story, but they don’t,” Buttafuoco said in the trailer. ” Everyone’s fighting about the truth. I was fighting for my life. This is the first time you’re hearing the story from me.”
Fans React to Chloe Lanier’s New Role
GettySome “General Hospital” fans took to the comments to share their thoughts about Lanier’s new Lifetime movie role.
One fan wrote, “Wow, I can’t wait. I gotta love movies based on true stories.”
Another commented, “I knew I recognized the actor. She played Nelle in ‘General Hospital.'”
Someone added, “Oh snap! She was on ‘General Hospital!’ while another chimed in, “As a ‘GH’ fan, I’m invested!”
A fan also noted, “That lady playing Mary Jo, is an amazing actress. I’ll definitely be watching this!!”
Lanier wrapped up her run as Nelle Benson on “General Hospital” in 2020. Her performance as the infamous villain earned her a Daytime Emmy award in 2018 in the Outstanding Younger Actress in a Daytime Drama Series category.
“I Am Mary Jo Buttafuoco” premieres January 17, 8/7c on Lifetime.
I am definitely going to watch this movie.
The media did all the stories and movies geared towards the people who either cheated or attempted to kill Mary Jo and not much was done for this lady who was a wife and mother whose life was shattered by a bullet to the brain.
Thank goodness Lifetime is showing this movie.