The true crime phenomenon continues with Hulu’s ‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family,’ an eight-episode limited series that navigates the complex web of murder, financial fraud, and a prominent family’s undoing, offering a victim-focused narrative drawn from exhaustive real-world reporting.
The saga of the Murdaugh family, a powerful legal dynasty in South Carolina, has captivated the nation with its chilling twists of scandal, murder, and betrayal. Hulu’s limited series, “Murdaugh: Death in the Family,” revisits this shocking case, transforming exhaustive real-life reporting into a gripping dramatization that aims to offer more than just headlines.
Premiering with its first three episodes on October 15, 2025, and releasing new episodes weekly, the series invites viewers to delve into the complex reality of a family whose pristine facade was shattered, revealing deep-rooted secrets and devastating consequences.
The Murdaugh Saga Unraveled: From Dynasty to Downfall
The true Murdaugh story is a labyrinth of tragedy that began to publicly unravel with a 2019 boat crash, caused by Paul Murdaugh’s drunken recklessness, which tragically killed 19-year-old Mallory Beach. This incident exposed the first cracks in the family’s long-standing dominance in the region, often referred to as “Murdaugh Country,” where their influence held sway for decades. The story escalated dramatically with the brutal 2021 murders of Paul and his mother, Maggie Murdaugh, at their isolated Moselle property.
Ultimately, Alex Murdaugh, the once-respected attorney and patriarch, was convicted in 2023 for their murders. His downfall extended beyond the double homicide, as he faced and was convicted of additional charges for extensive financial crimes, including defrauding clients and even the sons of his deceased housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield. This intricate web of crime and influence is meticulously laid out in the series, anchoring itself in these pivotal real-life events, as reported by the Associated Press.
Bringing Reality to the Screen: Fact, Fiction, and ‘Story Truth’
Co-created by Erin Lee Carr and Michael D. Fuller, “Murdaugh: Death in the Family” seeks to balance factual accuracy with compelling narrative. Fuller describes the show’s approach as embracing “story truth,” streamlining complex real-life details for narrative clarity without sacrificing emotional depth. An example of this is merging real-life figures, such as journalist Mandy Matney’s initial source, Olivia, into the character of Morgan Doughty to simplify the plot for viewers.
The series also directly incorporates chilling real-life moments, such as Alex Murdaugh’s courtroom quote in the first episode, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave,” mirroring his actual acknowledgment of deception to investigators. This moment, which Carr calls a “fascinating cross” of self-awareness and deceit, highlights the show’s commitment to capturing the essence of the Murdaugh family’s downfall, providing plausible motivations grounded in observed reality.
The Cast’s Deep Dive: Portraying Complex Characters
The ensemble cast delivers nuanced performances, bringing the Murdaugh family and those impacted by their actions to life. Jason Clarke portrays Alex Murdaugh, meticulously preparing for the role by listening to trial audio and observing Alex’s alleged unhealthy diet as a mirror to his insatiable psyche. Clarke noted that Alex “can’t stop moving. He has to move. And that’s like physically, emotionally and psychologically,” as stated in a report by the Associated Press via AOL.
- Patricia Arquette as Maggie Murdaugh: Arquette, no stranger to true crime dramas, delved into Mandy Matney’s research to understand Maggie’s personality. She gathered intimate details, from Maggie’s makeup preferences to her habit of carrying cash in a plastic bag. Arquette viewed Maggie as a key supporting player to her family, often the “photographer, the support system, the documenter of everyone else’s life,” showcasing her love for family photos as trophies of their success.
- Johnny Berchtold as Paul Murdaugh: Berchtold was intent on portraying Paul as a three-dimensional individual, moving beyond the easy villainization often seen in true crime narratives. He explored documented aspects of Paul’s personality, including his friendliness and heart, which he found surprising given the sensational headlines surrounding the 2019 boat crash and the subsequent felony boating under the influence charges.
A Victim-Forward Narrative: Giving Voice to the Lost
What truly distinguishes “Murdaugh: Death in the Family” is its prioritization of the victims’ humanity. This victim-forward approach, driven by Mandy Matney’s journalistic ethos, ensures that the series avoids exploitative true crime tropes. Instead, it weaves in intimate details to honor those lost:
- Mallory Beach’s passion for dogs.
- Gloria Satterfield’s maternal bond with Paul and Buster Murdaugh.
- Stephen Smith’s quirky habit of making cat treats.
By focusing on these personal details, the series emphasizes the psychological toll of the Murdaughs’ actions rather than sensationalizing violence. Alex Murdaugh is depicted not as a cliché villain, but as a deeply flawed and nefarious character, destroyed by his own web of lies, reflecting Matney’s reporting on the family’s power and privilege.
The Power of Local Journalism: Mandy Matney’s Pivotal Role
The series draws heavily from journalist Mandy Matney’s widely acclaimed “Murdaugh Murders Podcast,” with Brittany Snow portraying Matney in the show. Matney’s meticulous reporting formed the backbone of the dramatization, capturing the intricate details and emotional depth of the case. Matney herself serves as an executive producer, ensuring authenticity and a victim-centric focus.
Matney reflected on the experience, noting that while the investigation was a “dark chapter” for her, the series has brought a sense of closure. She emphasized the crucial role of local journalism, stating, “A journalist can go up against the grain…even if her boss is and everybody’s telling her not to,” highlighting a powerful takeaway for viewers about the importance of independent reporting.
Streaming Exclusively on Hulu
For fans eager to explore this riveting exploration of crime and consequence, “Murdaugh: Death in the Family” is available exclusively on Hulu. The series premiered on October 15, 2025, with its first three episodes, followed by weekly releases every Wednesday until its conclusion on November 19, 2025. Viewers can also access the series through the Hulu-Disney+ bundle subscription, solidifying Hulu’s expanding role as a premier destination for compelling true crime dramatizations.
“Murdaugh: Death in the Family” stands as a definitive guide to one of South Carolina’s most shocking sagas, offering unparalleled depth and a victim-focused lens that moves beyond mere sensationalism. It’s a must-watch for anyone fascinated by true crime and the intricate unraveling of a once-unshakeable dynasty.
