July 11, 2005 |
Summerland Stud Plots Murder
by Matt Webb Mitovich
A millionaire is found murdered at his lavish East Hampton, N.Y., estate. Was he killed by his adulterous wife? Offed by her lover? Or was he the victim of a twisted scheme perpetrated by both? (And don't even get us started on the tragic twist to come.) It sounds like a frothy TV-movie, and it is, but it's true. Based on the October 2001 slaying of investment banker Ted Ammon, Lifetime's Murder in the Hamptons (debuting tonight at 9 pm/ET) recaps the events leading to the power player's shocking death, then raises — if not answers — all the questions about who truly done it. Playing the "other man" in this torrid tale — contractor Danny Pelosi, who for a time was bedding Ammon's wife, real estate agent Generosa Rand, on the sly — is Shawn Christian, fresh from his run as good-guy Johnny on WB's Summerland. "It was such an in-depth and sensational story," the actor tells TVGuide.com. "A multimillionaire [played by David Sutcliffe] bludgeoned to death in his beautiful home? And then three months later, his widow marries the guy she was having an affair with? And then she dies within the year? And this guy who came from nothing stands to gain it all? I was like, this can't possibly be true." Indeed, Danny, it appears, "has sort of won the lottery," as Christian puts it, when he lucks into his romance with eventual heiress Generosa, who's played by Without a Trace's Poppy Montgomery. The evidence in Ammon's murder gradually points to the enterprising electrician. Although Danny was ultimately arrested for the killing, "I can't say with 100 percent certainty that he did do it," Christian notes. "That was the most challenging part of this, doing a movie where we all know the outcome, but still need to create that suspense. "I couldn't make Danny a straight villain. I had to walk that fine line where you're not sure if he's guilty or innocent, or what his hidden agenda may be," his portrayer explains. "Maybe he was just used as a pawn? I really don't know." What Christian does know is that, while it was "fascinating" to tackle a dark and "completely different" character such as Danny, he no longer has the sunny shores of Summerland to return to. "I found out [there will be no third season] when I was in Canada filming this," he reveals. "And that was a bummer. Johnny was a wonderful character to play, and I'm going to miss him." Barely able to contain his disappointment, Christian waves us off, saying, "Don't even get me started!"
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