Premiering May 4, 2025, on Lifetime, The Secret Life of the Dean’s Wife unravels a pulse-pounding tale of secrets and survival. When Margaret (Kate Watson) uncovers her husband Richard’s (Don Jeanes) double life, she’s thrust into a labyrinth of betrayal that endangers her and her daughter. Anchored by powerhouse performances from Watson and Jeanes, this thriller explores how far a mother will go to shield her family from the shadows of deceit. Meet the duo at the heart of this gripping drama.
Full Cast of The Secret Life of the Dean’s Wife
Kate Watson as Margaret
Kate Watson, a rising star known for her role as horse trainer Jennifer Rosemont in Murder at the Derby (2025), steps into the shoes of Margaret, a woman whose quiet suburban life masks steely resilience. Born August 12, 1995, in Toronto, Watson honed her craft in indie films like The Quiet Storm (2021) and stage productions, earning praise for her ability to balance vulnerability with quiet strength. Her preparation for Margaret included studying real-life stories of women navigating systemic betrayal, blending emotional depth with tactical survival instincts.
Off-screen, Watson is an advocate for gender equity and mental health awareness, themes that resonate with Margaret’s journey. Recently, she partnered with domestic violence shelters to better understand her character’s psychological stakes. Watson’s grounded yet fierce portrayal promises to redefine her as a leading voice in Lifetime’s roster of heroines. “Margaret isn’t just a victim—she’s a strategist,” Watson says. “Her love for her daughter turns her into a lioness.”
Don Jeanes as Richard
Don Jeanes, a veteran character actor born March 8, 1972, in Louisville, Kentucky, brings chilling complexity to Richard, the seemingly charming dean with a sinister secret. Known for roles in Ozark (2019) and The Walking Dead (2016), Jeanes excels at portraying morally ambiguous figures. His Richard is a master manipulator, whose genteel façade hides a web of lies. To prepare, Jeanes drew inspiration from true-crime documentaries about calculated predators, focusing on the duality of public respectability and private corruption.
Jeanes’ stage work in Shakespearean tragedies (Macbeth, 2018) sharpened his ability to convey menace through subtlety. Off-camera, he mentors young actors and advocates for arts education, a stark contrast to his on-screen persona. “Richard isn’t a monster—he’s a product of entitlement and ego,” Jeanes explains. “That’s what makes him terrifying.”
