How to Get Away with Murder season 1 explained

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  1. A91919
Num Episodes:15
Network:ABC
Episode List:List of How to Get Away with Murder episodes

The first season of the ABC American television drama series How to Get Away with Murder premiered on September 25, 2014, and concluded on February 26, 2015, with a total of 15 episodes. At the Television Critics Association Press Tour in July 2014, it was announced that How to Get Away with Murder would have only 15 or 16 episodes per season;[1] the smaller episode count than most network series stems from a deal with series star Viola Davis.[2] On May 7, 2015, the show was renewed by ABC for a second season.[3]

For its first season, the series received numerous accolades. The show was honored as a Television Program of the Year by the American Film Institute. It was also named Outstanding Drama Series at the Image Awards and the GLAAD Awards. For her performance, Davis won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance in a Drama Series, and the Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series. Davis received nominations from the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Television Series, the Critics' Choice Awards for Best Actress in a Drama Series, and the Television Critics Association for Individual Achievement in Drama.

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

See also: List of How to Get Away with Murder episodes.

Production

Development

On August 19, 2013, ABC bought the original concept from Shondaland Productions, produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers. The script for the pilot episode was written by Grey's Anatomy supervising producer Peter Nowalk.[4] ABC ordered the pilot on December 19, 2013.[5] It was directed by Michael Offer.[6] On May 8, 2014, ABC picked up the pilot to series[7] for the 2014–15 television season.[8] At the Television Critics Association Press Tour in July 2014, it was announced that How to Get Away with Murder would be a limited series with only 15 or 16 episodes per season.[9] The smaller episode count is the result of a deal for series star Viola Davis.[10] On October 9, 2014, ABC picked up the series for a full season of 15 episodes.[11]

Filming

The pilot episode was filmed in Los Angeles, California, at the University of Southern California, and in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, at Bryn Mawr College; and in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, at Ursinus College.[12]

Casting

The first season had ten roles receiving star billing. Viola Davis plays the protagonist of the series, Professor Annalise Keating, a high-profile defense attorney, teaching a class at Middleton University. Billy Brown plays Annalise's lover, Detective Nate Lahey, who tries to prove Sam's involvement in Lila Stangard's murder and becomes the main suspect in Sam's murder. There are five students who work at Annalise's law firm: Wes Gibbins, portrayed by Alfred Enoch, a student recently accepted off the wait list who later has a relationship with Rebecca; Connor Walsh, portrayed by Jack Falahee, a student who is ruthless and viewed as somewhat narcissistic by his peers; Michaela Pratt, portrayed by Aja Naomi King, an ambitious student who wants to become as successful as Annalise; Asher Millstone, portrayed by Matt McGorry, who comes from a privileged background and becomes affectionate towards Bonnie in the latter half of the season; and Laurel Castillo, portrayed by Karla Souza, an idealistic student who later has a relationship with Frank. Katie Findlay portrays Rebecca Sutter, Wes' mysterious neighbor (and later, girlfriend) who becomes a suspect in the murder of Lila Stangard. Charlie Weber plays Frank Delfino, an employee of Annalise's firm who is not a lawyer but handles special duties requiring discretion. Liza Weil plays Bonnie Winterbottom, an associate attorney in Annalise's firm.

Other recurring roles in the first season were Tom Verica who played Professor Sam Keating, Annalise's husband who had an affair with Lila Stangard and was later murdered by Wes. Megan West portrayed Lila Stangard, a sorority girl who was murdered by Frank on Sam's orders after he found out she was pregnant. Conrad Ricamora played Oliver Hampton, an IT specialist with whom Connor forms a romantic relationship. Alysia Reiner played Wendy Parks, a prosecutor who goes up against Annalise. Lenny Platt portrayed Griffin O'Reilly, a star quarterback and boyfriend of the murdered Lila Stangard. Elliot Knight played Michaela's fiancé, Aiden Walker, and Lynn Whitfield played his mother and Michaela's future mother-in-law, Mary Walker. Marcia Gay Harden played Dr. Hannah Keating, a psychologist and Sam's sister, who becomes suspicious of Annalise after Sam goes missing. Cicely Tyson portrayed Ophelia Harkness, Annalise's mother.

On January 21, 2014, Matt McGorry was the first to be announced as a regular cast member, playing a law student.[13] On February 25, 2014, it was announced that Shonda Rhimes had cast Viola Davis in the show's leading role of Professor Annalise Keating.[14] Throughout February and March 2014, other roles were announced as cast: Aja Naomi King,[15] Jack Falahee,[16] Alfred Enoch[16] and Karla Souza[16] as law students; Katie Findlay as a drug-dealing student;[17] Charlie Weber as a law associate to Professor Keating;[18] Billy Brown as Professor Keating's extramarital love interest;[19] veteran actor and producer Tom Verica as Professor Keating's husband;[20] and Liza Weil as one of the professor's two associates.[21]

On August 11, 2014, it was announced that Orange is the New Black alum Alysia Reiner was cast as a prosecutor who would be going up against Annalise.[22] On November 4, 2014, it was announced that Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden was cast in the second half of the first season for a secret recurring role.[23] On December 15, 2014, it was announced that Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Cicely Tyson would appear in an episode in the second half of the season.[24]

Reception

Critical response

The first season of How to Get Away with Murder received positive reviews, with most praising Viola Davis' performance. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a rating of 85%, based on 57 reviews, with an average rating of 6.9/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "How to Get Away with Murder isn't conceptually original, but it delivers thrills with melodramatic twists and a captivating lead." Metacritic gave season one of the show a score of 68 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[25]

Mary McNamara from Los Angeles Times wrote about Viola Davis' performance: "...all eyes are on Davis, Tony winner and Oscar nominee. Magnetic and intimidating, Davis creates an implacable surface beneath which shimmers all manner of fleet and startled emotions. Desire and fear, certainty, self-doubt and resolve are conjured in an instant with the angle of a glance, the lowering of an eyelid and then released as if they were never there."[26] Entertainment Weeklys Melissa Maerz described Davis' performance as "powerfully layered."[27] David Hinckle, from New York Daily News, said that the series does not serve up enough fun unlike Rhimes' other shows, Grey's Anatomy and Scandal.[28] Frazier Moore, Associated Press, wrote that the show "promises to be twisty, wicked, dark and fun. And it stars Viola Davis, who brings life to a character of endless calculations and mystery."[29]

Ratings

The series premiere had more than 14million viewers on live broadcast, and over 20million with DVR.[30] The first episode set a record for DVR playback viewers with 6million, surpassing the January 27, 2014, record of 5.6million set by the pilot of The Blacklist.[31]

Accolades

AwardCategoryNomineeResult
American Film Institute AwardTelevision Program of the YearHow to Get Away with Murder
TV Guide AwardFavorite New ShowHow to Get Away with Murder
People's Choice AwardFavorite New TV DramaHow to Get Away with Murder
Favorite Actress In A New TV SeriesViola Davis
NAACP Image AwardOutstanding Drama SeriesHow to Get Away with Murder
Outstanding Actress in a Drama SeriesViola Davis
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesAja Naomi King
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesAlfred Enoch
Outstanding Writer for a Drama SeriesErika Green Swafford
("Let's Get to Scooping")
Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama SeriesViola Davis
Golden Globe AwardBest Actress in a Television Series – DramaViola Davis
GLAAD Media AwardOutstanding Drama SeriesHow to Get Away with Murder
GALECA AwardTV Drama of the YearHow to Get Away with Murder
TV Performance of the Year - ActressViola Davis
Critics' Choice AwardBest Actress in a Drama SeriesViola Davis
Best Guest Performer in a Drama SeriesCicely Tyson
BET AwardBest ActressViola Davis
TCA AwardIndividual Achievement in DramaViola Davis
Creative Arts Emmy AwardOutstanding Guest Actress in a Drama SeriesCicely Tyson
Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Lead Actress in a Drama SeriesViola Davis
OFTA Television AwardBest Actress in a Drama SeriesViola Davis
Artios AwardCasting, Television Pilot: DramaLinda Lowy, Diane Heery, Jason Loftus, Jamie Castro
Critics' top ten lists

DVD release

The DVD released was first released in Region 1 on August 4, 2015.[32]

The Complete First Season
Set detailsSpecial features
  • 15 Episodes
  • English, French and Spanish subtitles
  • First Year Law: Behind the Scenes
  • "Bye Felicia" music video
  • Deleted scenes
  • Bloopers
Release dates
Region 1Region 2Region 4
August 4, 2015November 16, 2015November 11, 2015

Notes and References

  1. Web site: #Scandal will do a full 22-episode season, while #HowToGetAwayWithMurder will only do 15 or 16 episodes #TCA14 . TV Guide . July 15, 2014. July 16, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140817063831/https://twitter.com/TVGuide/status/489095092636876801. August 17, 2014.
  2. Web site: How To Get Away With Murder & Black-Ish: Full-Season Orders At ABC - Deadline . Deadline . October 9, 2014. November 1, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141024064124/http://deadline.com/2014/10/how-to-get-away-with-murder-blackish-full-season-1-orders-abc-848758/. October 24, 2014.
  3. News: ABC Cancels Forever, Cristela, Resurrection & The Taste . Wagmeister . Elizabeth . May 7, 2015 . Variety. May 8, 2015. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150509023328/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-forever-cristela-resurrection-cancelled-1201490485/. May 9, 2015.
  4. Web site: ABC Buys Legal Thriller From Shondaland & Grey's Anatomy Writer . . Andreeva . Nellie . August 19, 2013. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140520160639/http://www.deadline.com/2013/08/abc-buys-legal-thriller-from-shondaland-greys-anatomy-writer/. May 20, 2014.
  5. Web site: Sea Of Fire & Shondaland's How To Get Away With Murder Get ABC Pilot Orders . . Andreeva . Nellie . December 19, 2013. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140423072715/http://www.deadline.com/2013/12/sea-of-fire-shondalands-how-to-get-away-with-murder-get-abc-pilot-orders/. April 23, 2014.
  6. Web site: ABC Drama Pilots Warriors & How To Get Away With Murder Find Directors . . Andreeva . Nellie . January 31, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140504214347/http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/abc-drama-pilots-warriors-how-to-get-away-with-murder-find-directors/. May 4, 2014.
  7. Web site: Andreeva . Nellie . ABC New Series Pickups: Selfie, Forever, Galavant, Whispers, How To Get Away With Murder, American Crime, Black-ish, Jeff Lowell Comedy . . May 8, 2014. May 12, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140509155031/http://www.deadline.com/2014/05/abc-picks-up-shonda-rhimes-how-to-get-away-with-murder-anthony-anderson-american-crime/. May 9, 2014.
  8. Web site: Cynthia . Littleton . ABC Orders Marvel's Agent Carter, 4 Other Dramas and 4 Comedies . . May 8, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140509175531/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/abc-orders-viola-davis-drama-how-to-get-away-with-murder-1201176035/. May 9, 2014.
  9. Web site: . July 15, 2014 . #Scandal will do a full 22-episode season, while #HowToGetAwayWithMurder will only do 15 or 16 episodes #TCA14. July 16, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140817063831/https://twitter.com/TVGuide/status/489095092636876801. August 17, 2014.
  10. Web site: How To Get Away With Murder & Black-Ish: Full-Season Orders At ABC . Deadline . October 9, 2014. November 1, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141024064124/http://deadline.com/2014/10/how-to-get-away-with-murder-blackish-full-season-1-orders-abc-848758/. October 24, 2014.
  11. Web site: How to Get Away With Murder and black-shGet Full Season Orders at ABC . TV by the Numbers . Kondolojy . Amanda . October 9, 2014 . October 24, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141024083749/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/10/09/how-to-get-away-with-murder-and-black-ish-get-full-season-orders-at-abc/312767/ . October 24, 2014.
  12. Web site: ABC Films New Pilot on Ursinus Campus . Ursinus College . March 14, 2014. March 28, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140322214050/http://news.ursinus.edu/2014/headlines/abc-films-new-pilot-on-ursinus-campus/. March 22, 2014.
  13. Web site: Matt McGorry Cast In ABC Murder Pilot, Mike Colter In TNT's Agent X . Andreeva . Nellie . . January 31, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140514195455/http://www.deadline.com/2014/01/matt-mcgorry-cast-in-abc-murder-pilot-mike-colter-in-tnts-agent-x/. May 14, 2014.
  14. Web site: Natalie . Abrams . Viola Davis Lands Lead in ABC Pilot How to Get Away With Murder - Today's News: Our Take . . February 25, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140410232943/http://www.tvguide.com/News/ABC-Viola-Davis-How-Get-Murder-Pilot-1078211.aspx. April 10, 2014.
  15. Web site: Aja Naomi King Cast In ABC Pilot Murder; Arden Myrin in NBC's Bad Judge . Andreeva . Nellie . . February 6, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140307063959/http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/aja-naomi-king-cast-in-abc-pilot-murder-arden-myrin-in-nbcs-bad-judge/. March 7, 2014.
  16. Web site: UPDATE: Jeffrey Nordling & Christina Chang In ABC's Sea Of Fire, Trio Cast In Murder . Andreeva . Nellie . . February 12, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140505234002/http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/christina-chang-joins-abc-pilot-sea-of-fire-alfred-enoch-karla-kouza-in-murder/. May 5, 2014.
  17. Web site: Katie Findlay Joins How To Get Away, Utkarsh Ambudkar In Love Is Relative . Andreeva . Nellie . . March 1, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140520160721/http://www.deadline.com/2014/03/katie-findlay-joins-how-to-get-away-utkarsh-ambudkar-in-love-is-relative/. May 20, 2014.
  18. Web site: Charlie Weber Cast In How To Get Away; The Flash Gets Mother . Andreeva . Nellie . . February 24, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140429034659/http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/charlie-weber-cast-in-how-to-get-away-the-flash-gets-mother/. April 29, 2014.
  19. Web site: Aimee Garcia Cast In CBS Pilot Red Zone; Billy Brown In ABC's How To Get Away . Andreeva . Nellie . . March 2, 2014. May 20, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140520160511/http://www.deadline.com/2014/03/aimee-garcia-cbs-pilot-red-zone-billy-brown-abc-how-to-get-away/. May 20, 2014.
  20. Web site: Tom Verica Cast In ABC Pilot How To Get Away; Morgan Spector In NBC's Coercion . The Deadline Team . . March 10, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140420064707/http://www.deadline.com/2014/03/tom-verica-cast-in-abc-pilot-how-to-get-away-morgan-spector-in-nbcs-coercion/. April 20, 2014.
  21. Web site: Liza Weil Cast In ABC Pilot How To Get Away, Stephen Hagan In CW's Identity . Andreeva . Nellie . . February 27, 2014. May 5, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140504055704/http://www.deadline.com/2014/02/liza-weil-cast-in-abc-pilot-how-to-get-away-stephen-hagan-in-cws-identity/. May 4, 2014.
  22. Web site: How to Get Away with Murder casts Orange is the New Black alum Alysia Reiner . Zap2It . Vick . Megan . August 11, 2014. November 28, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141128074750/http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/how_to_get_away_with_murder_casts_orange_is_the_new_black_alysia_reiner-2014-08. November 28, 2014.
  23. Web site: Friedlander . Whitney . Marcia Gay Harden Joins How to Get Away with Murder . . November 4, 2014. November 12, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141107154030/http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/marcia-gay-harden-how-to-get-away-with-murder-1201347849/. November 7, 2014.
  24. Web site: How to Get Away With Murder Enlists Cicely Tyson . . Goldberg . Lesley. December 15, 2014 . December 15, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20150206051827/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/how-get-away-murder-enlists-757903. February 6, 2015.
  25. Web site: How to Get Away With Murder : Season 1 . Metacritic. October 2, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20140927063322/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/how-to-get-away-with-murder . September 27, 2014.
  26. Web site: How to Get Away With Murder keeps spotlight on Viola Davis . Los Angeles Times. April 16, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171214025435/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-how-to-get-away-with-murder-review-20140925-column.html. December 14, 2017.
  27. Web site: How to Get Away With Murder . Entertainment Weekly. April 16, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161219202422/http://www.ew.com/article/2014/10/15/how-get-away-murder. December 19, 2016.
  28. Web site: How to Get Away With Murder . New York Daily News. April 16, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305202616/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/murder-tv-review-article-1.1951180. March 5, 2018.
  29. Web site: These 10 new fall TV shows are worthy of a first-night look . The Kansas City Star. April 16, 2022. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180305142710/http://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/tv/article1308483.html. March 5, 2018.
  30. Web site: How to Get Away With Murder Breaks DVR Records . The Hollywood Reporter . September 30, 2014. October 1, 2014 . Michael . O'Connell. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141003012904/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/how-get-away-murder-breaks-736778. October 3, 2014.
  31. Web site: ABC's How to Get Away With Murder Premiere Sets DVR Playback Record . . Rick . Kissell. October 6, 2014 . September 30, 2014. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20141007031350/http://variety.com/2014/tv/ratings/abcs-how-to-get-away-with-murder-premiere-sets-dvr-playback-record-1201317320/. October 7, 2014.
  32. Web site: How to Get Away with Murder - DVDs of The Complete 1st Season Starring Viola Davis . TV Shows on DVD . Lambert . David. May 11, 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150515221802/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Away-Murder-Season-1/21083. May 15, 2015.