Sherri Shepherd Calls Playing 9/11 Survivor ‘An Honor’ in New Lifetime Film

When Sherri Shepherd posted a photo on Instagram ahead of the 25th anniversary of September 11, she didn’t just share a still from a set—she shared a promise. The promise that a story of survival, faith and a tiny miracle would finally make its way onto our screens.

‘It’s truly an honor to bring Genelle’s unshakeable faith to life,’ Shepherd wrote, her caption echoing the reverence she feels for the woman whose life was forever altered on that Tuesday in 2001. The new Lifetime film, Angel in the Rubble, premieres Saturday, September 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT, and it tells the astonishing true story of Genelle Guzman.

Guzman was a transit worker for the Port Authority, assigned to the 64th floor of the North Tower. Like millions of New Yorkers that morning, she reported for work as usual. When Flight 11 slammed into the tower, she tried to evacuate, only to find herself trapped on the 13th floor as the building collapsed around her.

What followed was a grueling 27‑hour ordeal beneath tons of concrete and steel. While the world above was in shock, Guzman clung to prayer, pleading for a chance to live and promising to change if she survived. According to Lifetime’s description, those desperate prayers seemed to be answered when a stranger—who identified himself only as “Paul”—found her and stayed by her side until rescuers could reach her.

“Someone grabbed my hand, called my name and said, ‘Genelle, I got you. My name is Paul,’” Guzman recalled in a Fox 29 interview. She still wonders whether Paul was a firefighter, a passerby, or perhaps an angel sent to keep her alive. The mystery only deepens the movie’s emotional core.

Shepherd, who also co‑produced the film alongside Robin Roberts, Linda Berman and Anne Carlucci, said she felt a responsibility to honor Guzman’s “miraculous” rescue. “As we remember the tragedy, I hope people see the resilience and hope that can arise from even the darkest moments,” Shepherd added.

‘Angel in the Rubble’ isn’t just a drama; it’s a tribute to a woman whose faith carried her through a catastrophe that claimed nearly 3,000 lives. For anyone who lived through or remembers 9/11, the movie offers a chance to witness a story that was once hidden in the dust, now brought to light with compassion and reverence.

Mark your calendars—September 12 at 8 p.m. on Lifetime. And if you’re curious for more behind‑the‑scenes insight, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet on Instagram for exclusive interviews and updates.