Unmasking the Murdaugh Saga: A Deep Dive into Hulu’s ‘Death in the Family’ Cast and Their Real-Life Counterparts

Hulu’s highly anticipated true-crime drama, Murdaugh: Death in the Family, brings the harrowing real-life saga of Alex Murdaugh and his family to the screen with a star-studded cast portraying the complex individuals at the heart of the scandal.

The Murdaugh family saga, a captivating blend of power, privilege, and devastating tragedy in South Carolina, continues to grip the public imagination. With multiple documentaries and podcasts exploring the intricate web of crimes, Hulu’s new dramatization, Murdaugh: Death in the Family, offers a fresh perspective, meticulously bringing the real-life figures to the screen.

Inspired by Mandy Matney’s popular Murdaugh Murders Podcast, the miniseries delves into the collapse of a formidable legal dynasty. This article provides an in-depth look at the talented cast and the actual people they embody, offering fans a comprehensive guide to understanding the true story behind the drama.

The Architect of His Own Downfall: Alex Murdaugh

Leading the ensemble is Jason Clarke, a veteran actor known for his roles in acclaimed films such as Zero Dark Thirty and Oppenheimer. Clarke takes on the daunting task of portraying Alex Murdaugh, the disgraced South Carolina lawyer at the center of the scandal.

Clarke described Murdaugh as a “larger than life figure… there was a lot that was magnetic about him that really allowed people to not see coming what came,” during an appearance on Good Morning America. Murdaugh was found guilty on March 2, 2023, of murdering his wife, Maggie, and their youngest son, Paul, in 2021, and is currently serving two consecutive life sentences without parole, as reported by People.

Beyond the double murders, Murdaugh also faced a cascade of legal troubles, including convictions for various financial crimes. In November 2023, he received a 27-year state prison sentence, followed by a 40-year federal prison sentence on April 1, 2024, for multiple fraud schemes involving stolen legal client funds, according to People. These sentences are running concurrently.

The Tragic Victims: Maggie and Paul Murdaugh

Oscar-winner Patricia Arquette portrays Maggie Murdaugh, Alex Murdaugh’s wife and a central figure in the tragedy. Arquette, known for her powerful performances in Boyhood and Severance, worked closely with journalist Mandy Matney to understand Maggie’s complex relationship with Alex.

“I’m not a therapist, but she’s with a sociopathic narcissist and is not aware at all of who she’s with,” Arquette claimed in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Family friends told the New York Post that Maggie “lived for her kids” and had “no real say in that family,” highlighting her devotion before her murder on June 7, 2021.

Newcomer Johnny Berchtold takes on the role of Paul Murdaugh, the youngest son of Alex and Maggie, who was a student at the University of South Carolina at the time of his death. The series revisits the tragic 2019 boat crash that resulted in the death of Mallory Beach and led to Paul facing three felony charges, to which he pleaded not guilty. He was murdered before his trial.

Survivors of the crash testified that Paul had been driving the boat while intoxicated when the accident occurred, as reported by the BBC. In October 2024, Alex Murdaugh settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Beach’s family, with an insurer agreeing to pay the boat’s $500,000 policy, according to the Associated Press.

The Supporting Cast: Voices and Figures in the Scandal

Marian Proctor (J. Smith-Cameron)

Emmy-nominated actress J. Smith-Cameron, celebrated for her role as Gerri Kellman on HBO’s Succession, portrays Marian Proctor, Maggie Murdaugh’s sister. Proctor was the only member of Maggie’s family to testify during the double murder trial. She described her sister as a “sweet, free spirit” who adored her sons, as reported by WIS News 10. Her testimony highlighted her confusion over Alex’s alleged focus on clearing Paul’s name in the boat crash, rather than finding Maggie and Paul’s killer.

Mandy Matney (Brittany Snow)

Brittany Snow, known for her roles in the Pitch Perfect series and The Hunting Wives, portrays Mandy Matney, the award-winning journalist and creator of the Murdaugh Murders Podcast, which serves as the inspiration for the Hulu series. Matney’s investigative work was crucial in unraveling the complexities of the case. She also released a book, Blood on Their Hands, in 2023, and serves as an executive producer on the Hulu series, co-hosting its official podcast.

Buster Murdaugh (Will Harrison)

Will Harrison, who appeared in Daisy Jones & the Six, plays Buster Murdaugh, Alex and Maggie’s eldest son. Buster publicly defended his father during the double murder trial, maintaining his belief in Alex’s innocence, as stated in FOX Nation’s The Fall of the House of Murdaugh. In May 2025, TMZ reported that Buster married his longtime girlfriend, Brooklynn White.

Gloria Satterfield (Kathleen Wilhoite)

Long-time TV actress Kathleen Wilhoite, known for her roles in L.A. Law and Gilmore Girls, portrays Gloria Satterfield. Satterfield was the Murdaugh family’s housekeeper who died after a fall at their home in 2018. Alex Murdaugh notoriously orchestrated a scheme to steal a $4.3 million insurance settlement meant for her sons. In 2023, his co-conspirator, Cory Fleming, was sentenced to nearly four years in federal prison for his involvement. As of 2024, Satterfield’s family has been awarded over $7.5 million, though none directly from Alex, as reported by WJCL.

Curtis Eddie Smith (Mark Pellegrino)

Mark Pellegrino, known for his roles in Supernatural and Dexter, portrays Curtis Eddie Smith, a former client of Alex Murdaugh. Smith was involved in a bizarre murder-for-hire plot where Alex allegedly asked him to kill him so Buster could collect a $10 million insurance payout, as reported by the New York Times. Smith was also indicted on drug and money laundering charges related to an alleged drug distribution conspiracy with Murdaugh, per Greenville News, though as of July 2025, he had yet to be prosecuted, according to Fox News.

Mallory Beach (Madeline Popovich)

Making her series debut, Madeline Popovich plays Mallory Beach, the young woman who tragically died in the 2019 boat accident involving Paul Murdaugh. Mallory’s mother, Renee Beach, spoke with People around the five-year anniversary of her death, remembering Mallory as “full of life” and always bringing joy. Her family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Alex Murdaugh, who owned the boat, and the store that sold Paul alcohol, both of which were eventually settled.

Morgan Doughty (Jessi Case)

Jessi Case, from CSI: Vegas and Quantum Leap, portrays Morgan Doughty, Paul Murdaugh’s ex-girlfriend. As depicted in the Netflix docuseries Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal, Morgan moved to South Carolina in high school and began dating Paul, later alleging that he was abusive. She described their relationship as intensely volatile: “when it was good, it was really good. But when it was bad, it was really bad.” Morgan claimed Paul would kick and punch her. Her Facebook profile indicates she married Batten Bostick on October 14, 2024, and remains based in South Carolina.

The Enduring Appeal of the Murdaugh Murders

The Murdaugh story continues to resonate with audiences due to its compelling blend of true crime elements: a powerful family, shocking murders, financial fraud, and the tragic loss of life. Hulu’s Murdaugh: Death in the Family offers a dramatized lens through which to explore these complex events, allowing viewers to connect with the human stories behind the headlines in a new way.

The miniseries provides a complement to the documentary offerings, giving fans of the true crime genre a more immersive, character-driven experience of the notorious South Carolina scandal.

Where to Watch ‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family’

The initial three episodes of Murdaugh: Death in the Family are currently available for streaming on Hulu, with new episodes scheduled for weekly release.