Emilia Clarke’s 2019 film Above Suspicion tells the real life story of a romance turned crime, but how do the actors compare to the actual people?
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The 2019 film Above Suspicion portrays the real-life relationship-turned-crime of FBI agent Mark Putnam and Susan Smith, but how does the Hollywood cast compare to the real suspects, victims, and bystanders on the case? Above Suspicion explores the affair between an FBI agent and his informant that ultimately leads to the latter's murder. The film is based on a non-fiction book by Joe Sharkey of the same name and the real-life crime.
In 1987, FBI agent Mark Putnam went to Pikeville, Kentucky to apprehend an ex-convict and bank robber, Carl Edward "Cat Eyes" Lockhart. While completing his investigation, Putnam was connected with a local woman and drug addict, Susan Smith, who provided him with information to help with the case. Although "Cat Eyes" was arrested at the end of 1987, Putnam and Smith remained in contact and began a relationship. In 1989, when Smith revealed to Putnam that she was pregnant, the pair fought and Putnam ultimately killed Smith via strangulation. Putnam was the first FBI agent to ever be convicted of murder.
7 Emilia Clarke as Susan Smith
In Above Suspicion, Emilia Clarke played the major movie role of Susan Smith. Susan Smith was born Susan Daniels in West Virginia in 1961. She was the fifth of nine children. Her family struggled financially and because of this, Susan could only stay in school until the seventh grade. During the 1970s, Susan met drug dealer Kenneth Smith and the pair soon got married and had two children before eventually divorcing. Susan's marriage led to her struggle with drug abuse, which affected her until her death. After Putnam killed Susan, she was reported missing by her sister, Shelby Ward, and the FBI's investigation ultimately led to Putnam's confession.
6 Jack Huston as Mark Putnam
Jack Huston played Mark Putnam in Above Suspicion. Mark Putnam was a criminologist and FBI agent until his arrest in 1990. Though not much is known about Putnam's childhood, he attended the University of Tampa to study criminology and graduated from the FBI Academy in 1986. Soon after, he married his wife Kathy with whom he was married during his affair with Susan Smith. Putnam was the first FBI agent to ever be convicted of murder. Although he was meant to serve 16 years in prison, he only served 10 due to good behavior. He now lives in Georgia with his new family and works as a personal trainer.
5 Johnny Knoxville as Cash
In the Above Suspicion movie Johnny Knoxville played Cash. Cash is a character that is supposed to represent Susan's real-life husband, Kenneth Smith. During the 70s, Kenneth Smith was a drug dealer involved in methamphetamine, PCP, and cocaine. When he married Susan in the late 1970s, he was 22 and Susan was 15. Despite being arrested in 1979, Kenneth and Susan remained together, though their marriage was fraught. The pair both struggled with drug abuse. Though they eventually divorced, Kenneth and Susan still resided together in Kentucky with their two children.
4 Sophie Lowe as Kathy Putnam
Sophie Lowe played Kathy Putnam in Above Suspicion. Kathy Putnam was the wife of FBI agent Mark Putnam. The two married after Mark graduated from the FBI Academy, and they had two children together. Kathy was the daughter of a wealthy real estate developer. Eight years after Mark's arrest, Kathy passed away from organ failure due to alcoholism. It is unclear what happened to the Putnams' children. All in all, it seemed Kathy was semi-aware of Mark's involvement with Susan and disapproved of the relationship, stating that it would ruin Mark's life.
3 Thora Birch as Jolene
Thora Birch played Jolene in Above Suspicion. Jolene is a stand-in character for Susan's sister, Shelby Ward. Shelby was the first person to notice Susan's disappearance and informed the police, leading to the investigation of Mark Putnam. Shelby's dedication to her sister's case went beyond just finding out what happened to her. In a 1991 article by the Los Angeles Times, it was reported that Shelby and Susan's family filed a wrongful-death suit against Putnam and Shelby had a theory that Putnam only confessed to killing Susan to hide much bigger crimes. All in all, Shelby was a main component of bringing justice to Susan.
2 Karl Glusman as Joe B
Karl Glusman plays Joe B in Above Suspicion. Joe B, otherwise known as Joseph Beauregard Reevis, represents Carl Edward "Cat Eyes" Lockhart. In real life and the film, "Cat Eyes" is the thief that brings Mark Putnam to Kentucky and puts him in contact with Susan Smith. "Cat Eyes" had committed several bank robberies around the Pikeville area and was a close friend of Kenneth Smith. In 1987, "Cat Eyes" was even living with the Smiths, which is what allowed Susan to help Putnam complete the arrest. "Cat Eyes" was eventually sentenced to 45 years in prison.
1 Austin Hebert as Randy McCoy
Austin Hebert plays Randy McCoy in Above Suspicion. Randy McCoy is likely supposed to represent Albert "Bert" Hatfield, a local sheriff's deputy that is friends with Susan Smith and works alongside Mark Putnam. In the film, it seems that Randy doesn't know Susan personally, however, in real life, Bert did have a connection to Susan and was the one to introduce her to Mark as an informant. Not much is known about the real-life Bert Hatfield, however, Randy McCoy's character does represent his role in the case of Mark Putnam and Susan Smith.
Above Suspicion tells the true story of Mark Putnam and the murder of Susan Smith. Despite some name changes, the film accurately shows the cast of characters that were important in the real life case including Mark, Susan, their spouses, Susan's sister, and other suspects and law enforcement agents. All in all, the true crime film perfectly casts the important players of the case, showing the tragic events that led to Susan's death and the historic case that made Mark Putnam the first FBI agent convicted of murder. The actors, though they may look different, provide the essence of these people and the story they were part of.
Source: LA Times
