The movie is based on the true story of Martin MacNeill, a doctor in Utah who was convicted of murdering his wife, Michele MacNeill, in 2007. According to reports, MacNeill had been having an affair with Gypsy Willis and had convinced her to pose as a nanny for his children after Michele's death, despite her lack of childcare experience.
After Michele's death, Martin had also forged documents to make it appear that he had served as a Navy SEAL and had a medical degree from the University of California. In reality, he had only completed a medical residency and had lied about his military service.
The movie focuses on the relationships between Martin, his wife Michele, and their children, particularly their daughter Alexis. The film depicts Martin as a charming and respected member of the community who is admired by his family and friends. However, as the story unfolds, Alexis begins to uncover the truth about her father's lies and the extent of his deception.
The Good Father: The Martin MacNeill Story was directed by Paul Shapiro and aired on Lifetime in 2021. It stars David James Elliott as Martin MacNeill, Chesney Casagrande as Alexis, and Jennie Garth as Michele.