HARLAN — A true-crime movie with a Kentucky connection is filming in the Bluegrass state. Now the production company is seeking paid extras for the film.
The book "Above Suspicion" is based on a 1989 Pike County case. Twenty-seven years ago, a crime of passion ended FBI agent Mark Putnam's successful career when he admitted strangling Susan Smith, his informant, with whom he was emotionally involved.
Smith was a mother of two and wife of a local drug dealer. She became an informant for Agent Putnam and that relationship eventually led to a tumultuous affair.
According to the book, Smith believed that Putnam was interested in starting a life with her. She was sadly mistaken. The couple was driving on a rural eastern Kentucky highway when she revealed her pregnancy. They pulled off the road at Peter Creek Mountain. Putnam said he and his wife would adopt the child but Ms. Smith refused, and began slapping Putnam.
The agent recalled that ''in an act of extreme rage ... I started choking her and telling her to shut up.'' Putnam said he tried in vain to revive her.
Putnam served 10 of his 16-year prison sentence for manslaughter. He was released in 2000.
According to Entertainment Weekly "Game Of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke is reported to star in the movie as Smith along with Jack Huston, known for his work on "Boardwalk Empire."
Taylor Woodell is the Extras Casting Director for Above Suspicion. Taylor recently finished working on the ABC Pilot The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez.
The feature film is in need of people ages 18 years or older, all ethnicities, especially those with any law enforcement training or background. Also, the production company will be looking for cars made between 1970-85. If you are interested in becoming a paid extra for Above Suspicion, please e-mail a recent photo of yourself, along with your age, height, weight, wardrobe sizes, a description of any tattoos and your location to Woodell at abovesuspicionextras@gmail.com.
Production on the film will begin May 24, 2016 in the Lexington area.
Woodell said filming would be in areas around Lexington and Harlan.
