Taryn Manning is tackling a different role in Lifetime's Cleveland Abduction, playing kidnapping victim Michelle Knight.
Orange is the New Black star Taryn Manning is tackling a different role in Lifetime's Cleveland Abduction, playing kidnapping victim Michelle Knight.
"I didn't just dip my big toe into the pool. I did like a triple dive off the board," Manning told ET of her commitment to the role. "Because it's like how could I not do this person justice?"
NEWS: Lifetime Brings Living Nightmare to the Screen in Cleveland Abduction
Three young women (Knight, Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus) were held captive and tortured by Ariel Castro in Cleveland until May 6, 2013 when Berry escaped and contacted police. The kidnappings took place between 2002 and 2004 with Knight being the first of Castro's victims.
For nearly 11 years Knight suffered unspeakable abuse and rape by her captor and even became pregnant four times by him.
"I've been through stuff. We all have, but that movie rocked my world," Manning said. "It changed my life. Michelle Knight changed my life. Hanging out with her, and experiencing her positivity … None of my problems matter."
NEWS: Kidnapping Victim Describes Decade of Captivity
Manning, 36, has also had a difficult past. Her father committed suicide when she was a teenager and she's had run-ins with the law, but, like Knight, she was able to turn things around. Today she is a singer, fashion designer and actress.
Watch the video for more. Cleveland Abduction airs May 2 at 8pm ET/PT on Lifetime.