Naman Shrestha
In Lifetime’s ‘The Copycat Killer,’ a criminal profiler named Dr. Eleanor “Ellie” Douglas leads a reclusive life after her successful yet traumatic experience of capturing a killer called the Sigil Slayer. When a copycat killer emerges with methods resembling Ellie’s solved case, she is thrust back into the spotlight after one of her fans is killed in the Sigil Slayer’s signature style at a true crime conference. Not only must she battle her trauma and focus on capturing the killer, but she must also prove her innocence as she is being framed as the prime suspect of the mysterious homicide.
As the evidence against her is mounting with each passing hour, the criminal profiler must make the most of her skills and get to the bottom of the truth before she ends up becoming the next victim of the copycat killer. The Jim Donovan directorial is a psychological mystery thriller movie that unfolds across various settings, including the prison where the Sigil Slayer is held, the true-crime conference room, and Ellie’s residence, each haunted by the mystery of the new killer’s identity.
Where Was The Copycat Killer Filmed?
Production on ‘The Copycat Killer’ was conducted entirely in Ontario, particularly in and around Ottawa. According to reports, principal photography for the Lifetime production began in the last week of May 2026 and continued for nearly two weeks before wrapping up by the end of the first week of June of the same year. The makeup artist, Aly Morden Haley, shared a few words of appreciation for her fellow crew members, stating, “a fun one with some fun people! huge thanks our HMU TEAM! @sammiestylesstylist & I couldn’t do it without you!”
Ottawa, Ontario
All the pivotal sequences for ‘The Copycat Killer’ were lensed across the sprawling city of Ottawa, located in Ontario’s southeastern region. The filming unit made the most of the capital city’s vast, versatile terrain and landscapes to evoke eerie visuals throughout the narrative. They seemingly took over numerous streets and transformed them into film sets by redressing the storefronts and businesses. It is likely that Downtown Ottawa served as a prominent production location for the psychological thriller. In the establishing or aerial shots, you might also spot several landmarks and buildings, including Rideau Hall, the National Gallery of Canada, the Fairmont Château Laurier, and the Canadian Parliament buildings.
The Copycat Killer Cast Details
The cast of ‘The Copycat Killer’ is led by the compelling performances of Melissa O’Neil and Greyston Holt, bringing the suspenseful narrative to life. Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, Melissa left an imprint throughout her theatre career by featuring in Broadway’s ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Jesus Christ Superstar.’ She is also the first female winner of Canadian Idol, which led to her earning a certified gold album and a Juno nomination for Best New Artist. On the other hand, Greyston has served as an executive producer for ‘A Very Country Christmas: Homecoming’ and contributed to the soundtrack of ‘Cross Country Christmas.’
Melissa O’Neil as Eleanor “Ellie” Douglas
In ‘The Copycat Killer,’ Melissa O’Neil steps into the character of Eleanor “Ellie” Douglas, the criminal profiler who finds herself in a cat-and-mouse chase with a copycat killer. The multi-talented actor is widely recognized for her portrayals of Lucy Chen in ‘The Rookie,’ Portia Lin in ‘Dark Matter,’ Jennifer in ‘Rogue,’ and Beth in ‘A Simple Favor.’ Her other TV credits include ‘Condor,’ ‘iZombie,’ ‘Lost Generation,’ and ‘This Life.’
Greyston Holt as Julian Duffy
Greyston Holt dons the garb of Julian Duffy in the Lifetime movie. You might find his face familiar because he stars as Chris in ‘Lou,’ Isaac Shepherd in ‘Lonesome Dove Church,’ and Tye McGrath in ‘House of Chains.’ Throughout his decades-long career, he has also landed roles in multiple TV shows. For instance, he features in ‘Durham County’ as Ray Prager Jr., ‘Bitten’ as Clayton Danvers, ‘Chesapeake Shores’ as Jay Ross, ‘The Night Agent’ as Paulo Bonetto, and ‘Riverdale’ as Glen Scot.
The thriller film also features Peter Facinelli as Glenn Boyd and Alex Castillo as Detective Lisa Deloria. Other talented actors who play supporting yet important roles in ‘The Copycat Killer’ include Karen Knox as Vale Talbot, Ronnie Rowe as Kenneth Barrow, Emily Stranges as Christine Sanford, and Les Vandor.
