Naman Shrestha
In Lifetime’s ‘Checkmate,’ we get acquainted with a young female detective named Brittany, who was suspended from duty after shooting a hostage during a mission. Dealing with her own demons, she returns to action as she teams up with her estranged father, Captain Sommers. As she investigates a series of horrific murders committed by a serial killer, she notices that the killer is playing a deadly game of chess as he chooses his victims strategically. Helmed by Jamal Hill, the crime thriller drama movie highlights the cat-and-mouse chase between Brittany and the serial killer in the bustling city of Louisville, Kentucky, as its streets and corners are turned into gruesome crime scenes.
Where Was Checkmate Filmed?
The shooting for ‘Checkmate’ was conducted entirely in Kentucky, particularly in and around Louisville. According to reports, principal photography for the thriller got underway in late September 2024 and went on for a couple of weeks before wrapping up in mid-October of the same year. Since the film is set in Kentucky, the makers decided to film the Lifetime production on location to add a layer of authenticity to the suspenseful narrative.
Louisville, Kentucky
Nicknamed the Gateway to the South, Louisville served as the primary production location for ‘Checkmate.’ The city’s vast and versatile skyline features prominently in various establishing shots, as the filming unit intended to ground the narrative in reality. Thus, you are likely to spot quite a few tall buildings and popular landmarks, such as 400 West Market, the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Muhammad Ali Center, and more.
During the shooting process, the cast and crew members were also spotted taping pivotal sequences near the Abraham Lincoln Bridge and John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge, both located adjacent to one another, carrying the Interstate 65 traffic over the Ohio River. Moreover, they also reportedly traveled to the surrounding areas of Louisville to lens various key indoor and outdoor portions for the Jamal Hill directorial.
Checkmate Cast Details
The impressive performances from Joyce Glenn and Lorenzo Lamas help bring the suspenseful narrative of ‘Checkmate’ to life. The former is a Savannah State University graduate who grew up in Frankfurt, Germany, and various parts of the United States, including Colorado and California. Lorenzo is a veteran who was encouraged by his actor father to pursue a career in the film industry by enrolling him in Tony Barr’s Film Actors Workshop. In his decades-long career, Lorenzo has also served as a director on ‘CIA II: Target Alexa’ and five episodes of ‘Renegade.’
Joyce Glenn as Brittany
In ‘Checkmate,’ Joyce Glenn dons the garb of Brittany, the detective who leads the investigation. Many of you might know her as Monae from ‘The Hunting Wives’ and Skylar Washington from ‘Passport.’ Joyce also has plenty of movies to her credit, including ‘Nothing Even Matters,’ ‘How to Make Anyone Fall in Love with You,’ ‘The Day Before Christmas,’ ‘Cruel Encounters,’ ‘Someday at Christmas,’ and ‘Family Portrait.’
Lorenzo Lamas as Captain Sommers
Lorenzo Lamas features as Captain Sommers, Brittany’s father and her partner in the serial killer investigation, in the thriller movie. He is widely recognized for portraying Chilly in ‘Body Rock,’ Tom Chisum in ‘Grease,’ Father Smith in ‘Chinaman’s Chance: America’s Other Slaves,’ Lance Cumson in ‘Falcon Crest,’ Ethan Walker in ‘Sons of Thunder,’ and Dr. Hollywood in ‘Big Time Rush.’ His other popular works include ‘My Name is Nobody,’ ‘Stepmom from Hell,’ ‘Scorpion Girl: The Awakening,’ ‘Love in the Clouds,’ ‘The Immortal,’ and ‘Air America.’
‘Checkmate’ also features a bunch of other talented actors in supporting yet crucial roles, including Andra Fuller as Brad, Sarah Pribis as Stephanie, Joey Puerto as Officer Rodriguez, Treyvaughn Dawson as Teenage Boy, Terry Tocantins as Carl Johnson, Lorenzo Lamas as Captain Sommers, Terry Quillen as Police officer, and Sean Ramey as Derrick Smith.
Read More: Somebody’s Watching Me: Filming Locations and Cast Details
