Lifetime’s biopic season continues, and next up is I Was Honey Boo Boo, a drama-filled look at the rise – and struggles – of Alana Thompson, the child star who became a national sensation. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Sharon Lewis Boland (Yoga Teacher Killer, Jailbreak Lovers, Abducted Off the Street), the movie follows Alana’s bumpy journey through childhood fame, family turmoil, and emotional resilience.
The Lifetime original stars Vale Cooper and Isabelle Ayres as young and teen Alana, with Chelsea Larkin taking on the role of Mama June. From sparkle-filled pageants to tense family showdowns, I Was Honey Boo Boo tells it all.
Where was I Was Honey Boo Boo filmed?
Despite the Georgia-based reality roots of the original Honey Boo Boo saga, I Was Honey Boo Boo was filmed entirely in Dorset, United Kingdom. The three-week shoot took place in early 2025, with the production team carefully recreating key locations from Alana’s life.
From family homes to pageant stages, each set was designed to reflect the look and feel of the Southern U.S. towns that became famous through Here Comes Honey Boo Boo and Mama June: From Not to Hot. The filming crew used areas around Bournemouth – known for its distinctive British seaside charm – to replicate the contrasting moods of Alana’s public image and private struggles.
Dorset, UK
Dorset may not be the first place you’d expect a story about Georgia’s most famous pageant queen to be shot, but the region’s range of filming spots made it an ideal stand-in. Bournemouth, in particular, was used for several key scenes – its neighborhoods and architecture helped shape everything from Alana’s early childhood home to the production stages recreating Dancing With The Stars moments.
The town of Bournemouth has previously appeared in other international productions, including Dunkirk, where it stood in for wartime evacuation scenes, and The Boat That Rocked. Its mix of urban and scenic backdrops offered the kind of versatility the Honey Boo Boo story needed.
From emotional moments with Mama June, to reenactments of Alana’s viral catchphrases, the filming in Dorset brought a unique European backdrop to a deeply American tale like the Secret Life of the Dean’s Wife.
Who Stars in I Was Honey Boo Boo?
The film blends real-life narration from Alana Thompson with dramatic recreations starring a talented cast of newcomers and familiar faces:
- Vale Cooper as young Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson. Cooper captures Alana’s spunky, confident pageant persona in the early scenes.
- Isabelle Ayres as teen Alana. Ayres takes over as the story matures, portraying the more complex years of teenage fame.
- Chelsea Larkin plays June “Mama June” Shannon. Larkin brings intensity to the role of Alana’s controversial mother, showing both her ambition and flaws.
- Georgia Small as Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird. Small portrays the older sister who often stepped into a caretaker role.
- Emily Nevitt as Jessica Shannon, another key figure in the Thompson family.
In the film, Alana herself narrates segments, offering real-life insight alongside the dramatized scenes – giving the audience a dual-layered experience of memory and reenactment.
What is the Movie About?
I Was Honey Boo Boo dives deep into the rise of Alana Thompson – from toddler pageant queen to pop culture icon. The movie begins with her breakout appearance on Toddlers & Tiaras, where one sassy one-liner – “A dolla makes me holla, Honey Boo Boo child!” – turned her into a household name.
From there, the biopic covers the highs and lows of Alana’s fame: reality TV deals, family breakdowns, online bullying, and the pressures of growing up in the spotlight. Much of the story focuses on her complicated relationship with her mother, Mama June, who viewed Alana’s success as a family lifeline – even referring to her as a “little money maker.”
The film also sheds light on more recent conflicts, including allegations that June mishandled Alana’s child actor earnings, leaving only a fraction in her Coogan account. The emotional weight of growing up on television and navigating personal betrayal takes center stage.
In short, this is not just a behind-the-scenes look at reality TV — it’s a coming-of-age story about identity, fame, and the cost of being “on” all the time.
Behind the Scenes
The movie was directed by Sharon Lewis Boland, who has a strong track record in telling emotionally charged real-life stories. Her previous Lifetime credits include Yoga Teacher Killer, Abducted Off the Street: The Carlesha Gaither Story, and the breakout drama Jailbreak Lovers. Boland also directed episodes of Murdoch Mysteries, proving her skill in both procedural and personal narratives.
Filming took place entirely in the U.K., but with detailed production design that mirrored Honey Boo Boo’s Southern upbringing. The team recreated multiple homes, stage settings, and public appearances – including moments from Dancing With The Stars and family reality shows – with striking accuracy.
Bournemouth’s diverse locations and the production crew’s attention to detail helped bridge the Atlantic gap, offering Lifetime viewers an authentic-feeling portrayal of a uniquely American story.
Is There a Trailer for I Was Honey Boo Boo?
Yes! The trailer for I Was Honey Boo Boo premiered on April 25, 2025. It opens with a casting director asking young Alana, played by Vale Cooper, why she loves pageants.
Her answer? “Winning. A dolla makes me holla, Honey Boo Boo child!”
The trailer then cuts to the real Alana narrating, “With that one line, I became America’s favorite redneck little girl. I’m Alana Thompson. You may know me as Honey Boo Boo.”
Throughout the trailer, viewers get a glimpse into the emotional highs and lows – from tense exchanges with Mama June to tearful confessions about trust and money. It sets the tone for what promises to be one of Lifetime’s most compelling biopics yet.
When Does I Was Honey Boo Boo Premiere?
I Was Honey Boo Boo premieres Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 8/7c on Lifetime Channel in the United States. Just like other Lifeftime movies, you can stream the movie on the next day of premiere via Lifetime’s official app and website.
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