When a new show debuts in the fall season, most writers and producers hope for the best (a full season pick-up) while anticipating the worst (an immediate cancellation). To receive critical acclaim and attention is unheard of… unless your name is Shonda Rhimes.
The Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal creator shocked her fanbase when it was revealed that she had signed on to produce Peter Nowalk’s How To Get Away With Murder. The series was certainly a break from the campy Grey’s Anatomy, and the salacious Scandal as it revolved around a law professor, who (along with five of her students), becomes the focal point of a murder investigation.
Aside from the incomparable Viola Davis (who recently just won an Emmy for her efforts as Annalise Keating), the supporting ensemble cast including Alfred Enoch, Jack Falahee, Naomi King, Matt McGorry and Karla Souza was made up of relative unknowns.
By successfully combining episodic cases for the Keating Five to solve while presenting an overarching mystery, viewers were almost helpless as they became addicted to trying to figure out who was responsible for Rebecca (Katie Findlay)’s murder and just how they got away with murder.
The first season of the series saw two major mysteries. The first was the strangling of university student Lila (Megan West)and the second was the death of Annalise’s husband Sam (Tom Verica). The finale revealed that Annalise’s henchman Frank (Charlie Weber) is the one who killed Lila after being ordered to by her husband who had impregnated the victim. As fans of the show know, Sam got what was coming to him as he died at the hands of Wes (Enoch). And just when you thought that some order had been restored, the cliffhanger finale showed a dead Rebecca in Annalise’s basement.
As you can imagine, How To Get Away With Murder, isn’t a show that you can just jump into. To properly enjoy and, more importantly, understand the second season that premieres tonight, it is absolutely mandatory to first consume the first season. Trust me when I say that it is worth it.
At CTV’s 2015 upfront presentation, I had the opportunity to sit down with Charlie Weber to discuss How To Get Away With Murder.
We chatted about a variety of subjects including what it is like being on one of the most critically-acclaimed shows on television. He revealed the moment when he found out that his character would be the one responsible for Lila’s death and why it took the writers so long to break the news to him. Weber revealed that Frank’s undying devotion to Annalise is something that will be explored in the sophomore season. The actor also discussed the possibilities of a Frank and Bonnie romance and if this is a relationship that writers will pursue this year. I asked Weber to discuss the on-screen chemistry he has with Karla Souza and if that developed naturally. I asked Weber to explain Shonda Rhimes’ Midas touch and the incredible success with almost every show that she has been involved with. We analyzed the differences between binge-watching TV shows and if it is actually more of an enjoyable experience to savour shows like How To Get Away With Murder on a week-to-week basis. He revealed that the show’s second season will likely follow the same format and feature one over-arching seasonal theme with episodic plotlines that vary on a week-to-week basis.
Check out the video above!
How To Get Away With Murder premieres tonight at 10 p.m. on CTV and ABC.
