AceShowbiz - Actress Hayden Panettiere has urged the family of incarcerated Amanda Knox to watch her controversial new TV movie, insisting they'll feel "more relaxed" about the program once they view it. Knox was left shocked after seeing a trailer for "Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial" in Italy, in which the Heroes actress plays the college student convicted of killing her roommate Meredith Kercher in 2007.

The preview depicts Knox taking an active role in the murder, with a police official claiming she "orchestrated" the crime as part of a kinky sex game. Lawyers for the jailed American student have threatened legal action against bosses at U.S. network Lifetime if they air the film, which is due to be screened on February 21, amid speculation it could affect her ongoing appeal.

But Panettiere has appealed to Knox and her family to watch the show - she's convinced nothing will "sway" or "impact negatively" on court proceedings. She tells ETOnline.com, "It is very fact driven and Lifetime is great with doing things like that and fact checking. I don't think there is anything in there that would sway an opinion or have any impact negatively or positively on her appeal."

"I think if the family saw it, they would probably be much more relaxed than they are about it now. Maybe the parents would. I don't know if she would or not. I don't know if that would be a good idea to have to relive the whole experience of it. That is up to her."