Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story on Lifetime- Full list of cast
Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story is a gripping Lifetime Original Movie that tells the true story of Laura Cowan. She and her children were held captive by a family friend and endured unimaginable abuse, but Laura’s courage and determination led her to escape. Since then, she has become an advocate for survivors.
The movie premieres on Lifetime on January 18, 2025, at 8/7c. It’s directed by Manu Boyer, with a screenplay by Avery O. Williams, and produced by Poke Production. Executive producers Sean Dwyer and Elizabeth Cullen brought this important story to life, and Laura Cowan herself served as a co-producer to ensure her experiences were authentically portrayed.
The movie is directed by Manu Boyer, known for films like To Whom It May Concern (2016), Secrets of a Marine’s Wife (2021), and I Trust You to Kill Me (2006). The cast includes Paige Hurd as Laura Cowan, Stephen Bishop as Musa, and Brad James as Shabazz, among others.
Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story is part of Lifetime's acclaimed Ripped From the Headlines series, which brings real-life stories of survival and resilience to the screen.
Cast and characters of Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story
1) Paige Hurd as Laura Cowan
In Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story, Paige Hurd portrays Laura Cowan, who, after her husband is arrested, finds herself taken in by a family friend or so she's told. Laura and her two children are confined to that garage, off the streets, bound and subject to heavy abuse. Showing resilience, she meticulously records the abuse and manages to alert authorities, leading to their rescue.
Paige Hurd is best known for playing Tasha Clarkson on the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. She has also appeared in such series as Hawaii Five-0 playing Samantha Grover, and Power Book II: Ghost playing Lauren Baldwin.
Born on July 20, 1992, in Dallas, Texas, Hurd is of African American and Puerto Rican descent. She began acting at a very young age and trained at the Dallas Young Actors Studio. Her early roles included Cradle 2 the Grave and The Cat in the Hat.
2) Stephen Bishop as Musa
In Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story, Stephen Bishop portrays Musa, a man who initially offers Laura Cowan and her children shelter after her husband's arrest. However, his true intentions are sinister. Musa manipulates Laura into a polygamous marriage, isolating her from her children and subjecting her to severe abuse.
In Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story he locks her and her son in a dark, cold garage without necessities, where they endure physical and emotional torment. Musa's actions reflect a pattern of control and cruelty, turning what seemed like an act of kindness into a nightmare for Laura and her family.
Stephen Bishop is best known for his role as David Paulk in the BET series Being Mary Jane, where he starred alongside Gabrielle Union. He also gained recognition for his portrayal of baseball player David Justice in the film Moneyball (2011), which showcased his athletic background and acting skills.
Bishop has built a diverse career in television and film, with roles in productions like Friday Night Lights (2004), Til Death Do Us Part (2017), and Fatal Affair (2020). Regarding accolades, Stephen Bishop won the Award of Excellence for Best Ensemble Acting at the 2023 San Diego Movie Awards for his role in On Deck.
3) Brad James as Shabazz
Brad James plays Shabazz, Laura Cowan's husband, in the movie Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story. After he is arrested for a felony charge involving illegal weapons trafficking, his wife Laura must care for their children alone. She encounters a family friend Musa who is willing to take care of her problems, which triggers a chain of events that leads Laura and her kids to be in captive and danger.
Brad James is best known for his recurring role as Todd in Tyler Perry's sitcom, For Better or Worse. He has also done many other television series, including Teen Wolf, One Tree Hill, and Devious Maids. His movie credits include The Haunting in Connecticut 2: Ghosts of Georgia and Parental Guidance.
In 2013, James won Georgia's "Best Actor" award at the Georgia Entertainment Gala. Additionally, he was nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Digital Drama Series for A House Divided at the 2020 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Other cast and characters of Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story
Other prominent cast of the movie includes:
- Shanica Knowles as Zara
- Tracey Rooney as Jane Hunter
- Sanaa Sade Salaam as Patrice
- Jackson Little as Will
- Jazzanae Sherman as Maryum
- Diego J. Torres as ATF Agent Charles
- Kaiden Nicholas Johnson as Ahmed
- Petey McGee as Brother Reggie
- Maresha Robinson as Marva
More about Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story
The official storyline of Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story on Lifetime reads:
"After her husband is arrested and thrown in jail, Laura Cowan finds herself struggling to make ends meet. When a family friend offers to move her and her children into his home temporarily, Laura lets out a sigh of relief, believing this is an act of kindness that will give her time to get back on her feet."
It continues,
" Overnight, this blessing turns into a nightmare when Laura and her children realize they’ve been abducted. Held captive in a cold and dark garage, Laura is repeatedly sexually assaulted by her abductor and her and her children are beaten and abused for years."
in the end
" One day, Laura manages to sneak a note to the outside world and authorities are able to rescue her and her family. Much to Laura’s surprise, her note not only lead the police to her and her family, but two other women and their children being held captive in the same house."
Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story will premiere on Lifetime on January 18, 2025. In the United States, viewers can watch it on Lifetime's official website or app, often requiring a cable subscription.
Internationally, Lifetime Movie Club is available in countries like Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, offering access to Lifetime movies for approximately $3.99 per month. Availability and pricing may vary by region, so it's advisable to check local listings or streaming platforms for the most accurate information.
Stay tuned for more updates.
