Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama How to Get Away with Murder, which delivers one of the most gripping legal thrillers in television history, combining courtroom drama, murder mysteries, and complex character relationships in a way that will keep you completely hooked from the very first episode.
How to Get Away with Murder premiered on September 25, 2014, on ABC and concluded on May 14, 2020, featuring 90 episodes across 6 seasons with approximately 45 minutes duration each. This brilliant legal drama thriller follows a group of ambitious law students and their brilliant criminal defense professor as they become involved in twisted murder plots. Created by Peter Nowalk and produced by Shonda Rhimes, the series became a cultural phenomenon and groundbreaking television.
The series masterfully weaves together elements of legal drama, psychological thriller, and character-driven storytelling, creating a narrative that explores the moral complexities of justice and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets. How to Get Away with Murder stands out for its intricate plotting, powerful performances, and its fearless approach to tackling difficult social issues while maintaining edge-of-your-seat entertainment.
When Legal Education Becomes Deadly Reality
Brilliant criminal defense attorney and law professor Annalise Keating, plus five of her students, become involved in a twisted murder case. The story begins when Annalise selects a group of ambitious law students to work on her cases, but what starts as an educational opportunity quickly spirals into a dangerous web of murder, cover-ups, and moral compromises that will change their lives forever.
The central premise revolves around these students becoming entangled in actual crimes while learning how to defend criminals in the classroom. The irony of studying how to get away with murder while actively participating in cover-ups creates compelling dramatic tension that drives the entire series forward.
Annalise Keating: The Brilliant Professor with Dark Secrets
Annalise Keating is a complex, morally ambiguous character who serves as both mentor and manipulator to her students. Viola Davis delivers a powerhouse performance as a woman who uses her brilliant legal mind to protect those she cares about, even when it means crossing ethical and legal boundaries. Her character represents the show’s central theme of moral complexity.
Throughout the series, Annalise evolves from a seemingly invincible legal powerhouse to a vulnerable woman dealing with personal trauma, addiction, and the weight of her choices. Her journey explores themes of survival, redemption, and the cost of protecting the people you love, making her one of television’s most compelling antiheroes.
The Keating Five: Students Turned Accomplices
The five law students Connor, Michaela, Asher, Laurel, and Wes form the core group that becomes entangled in Annalise’s world of secrets and murder. Each character brings their own motivations, fears, and moral boundaries that are systematically tested throughout the series. Their transformation from eager students to reluctant accomplices provides the emotional heart of the show.
Their individual character arcs explore how ordinary people can be pushed to extraordinary circumstances, examining the psychology of complicity and the bonds formed through shared secrets. The group dynamic shifts constantly as loyalties are tested and moral lines are crossed in the name of survival and protection.
When Murder Becomes a Group Project
The series reaches its most intense moments when the characters must work together to cover up crimes and protect each other from the consequences of their actions. The show’s signature style of revealing information through flashbacks and time jumps creates a puzzle-like narrative structure that keeps viewers guessing about motives and outcomes.
Each season builds to explosive revelations that recontextualize everything viewers thought they knew about the characters and their relationships. The intricate plotting ensures that every episode contains significant developments that advance both the overarching mystery and individual character storylines.
Success on ABC and Netflix
How to Get Away with Murder became a standout production that showcased groundbreaking representation and storytelling on network television. Viola Davis made history as the first Black woman to win the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, delivering a powerful acceptance speech about opportunity and representation. The series gained international popularity on Netflix, introducing the show to new audiences worldwide and cementing its status as a must-watch legal thriller.
Perfect Binge for Legal Thriller Enthusiasts
If you love complex legal dramas with psychological depth and intricate plotting, How to Get Away with Murder is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The show’s structure rewards careful attention to detail, and the streaming format allows viewers to catch subtle clues and foreshadowing that might be missed in weekly viewing, making it ideal for marathon watching sessions.
Why This Drama Redefined Television Excellence
How to Get Away with Murder delivers a masterful exploration of justice, morality, and human nature that transcends typical legal drama conventions. The series proves that television can tackle complex social issues while maintaining compelling entertainment value, creating a legacy that continues to influence legal dramas and representation in television long after its conclusion.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 90 episodes
Platform: ABC / Netflix
Release/Conclusion Year: 2014-2020
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
Genre: Legal Drama, Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Production Type: American series
Status: Completed
Protagonists: Viola Davis (Annalise Keating), Alfred Enoch (Wes Gibbins), Jack Falahee (Connor Walsh), Aja Naomi King (Michaela Pratt), Karla Souza (Laurel Castillo), Matt McGorry (Asher Millstone)
Antagonist: Various prosecutors, corrupt officials, and the characters’ own moral compromises