Rose McGowan is THE PASTOR’S WIFE

The Pastor’s Wife  is based on the true story of Matthew Winkler, a beloved minister who was found shot and killed in his Selmer, Tennessee home in 2006 with his wife and young daughters missing.

Michael Shanks (Stargate SG-1) portrays Rev. Winkler, the seemingly loving husband, father and minister of a small church filled with devoted parishioners. A very blond Rose McGowan (Charmed) plays Mary, the reverend’s meek, dowdy wife and mother of his three young girls.

After a loud gunshot sounds inside the Winkler home, Mary and her three daughters run for the family van, quickly leaving town. They end up at a small motel in Alabama where Mary wants the girls to visit the beach since that was something she and Matthew had promised they would do “someday”.

As the film moves between past and present events, including interviews with actors portraying family members and church-goers, the viewers see inside the life of the Winkler family ranging from the couple’s marriage to at-home events regarding money issues and a summons to the local bank due to Mary presumably writing bad checks – as well the Reverend’s insistence on entering countless sweepstakes – and their interactions with the members of the church.

Once the authorities zero in on Mary as the prime suspect, catching her on the run with her daughters and eventually placing her in jail, more truths about the couple’s violent family life are revealed that may lead some to believe she shot her husband in the back as he slept.

But as the her trial gets underway, there are some disturbing reveals that may or may not make the viewer question Mary’s sanity, her intentions toward her husband and daughters, and what really happened the morning her husband was shot.

While the story-telling device used in this telefilm is appealing in order to keep viewers questioning the lies and truths surrounding Mary and Matthew Winkler’s private and public lives, none of the characters are intriguing enough – except for the oldest Winkler child – to make this film watch-worthy. But if you are the kind of viewer who can be captivated by this type of ripped-from-the headlines story, then you will want to tune in.

Among the cast is Martin Cummins, who plays Mary’s attorney; Eric Keenleyside as Matthew’s father – a well-known minister in his own right; and Carrie Genzel as the prosecutor.

The Pastor’s Wife debuts Saturday, November 5 at 8/7c on Lifetime.