The Murdaugh: Death in the Family release date has officially arrived, and with it comes one of the most talked-about television events of 2025. The new Hulu limited series premiered in the United States on October 15, 2025, pulling viewers into a powerful dramatization of a real-life family saga that shocked the nation.
Blending meticulous storytelling with gripping performances, the series revisits the rise and devastating fall of the Murdaugh legal dynasty — a family once seen as untouchable in the South Carolina Lowcountry. With the first episodes now streaming, the show is already generating strong buzz, both for its cast and its accurate portrayal of key events.
A Major Streaming Premiere
Hulu gave fans a reason to mark their calendars when it set October 15, 2025 as the premiere date. On that day, the platform released the first three episodes all at once, allowing viewers to immediately dive deep into the story. This binge-worthy opening was designed to set the tone, laying out the central conflicts, major incidents, and early signs of the family’s unraveling.
After the premiere, Hulu is rolling out new episodes every week through late November. This release strategy mirrors other successful true crime adaptations, keeping the conversation alive and encouraging viewers to dissect each episode as it airs. By spacing out the season, Hulu is ensuring that public interest remains high week after week.
The series consists of eight episodes, each focusing on specific chapters in the Murdaugh family’s complex timeline. From the privileged world they once controlled to the trials that exposed their crimes, the narrative unfolds with a deliberate pace, giving audiences both emotional depth and historical clarity.
The Real Story Behind the Series
At the center of Murdaugh: Death in the Family is a true story that dominated U.S. headlines for years. The Murdaugh family’s influence stretched across generations. For nearly 100 years, members of the family held top legal positions in South Carolina’s 14th Judicial Circuit, shaping the region’s legal landscape and wielding significant power.
But behind that legacy was a series of tragic events and alleged cover-ups that eventually led to public outrage and criminal investigations.
The 2019 Boat Crash
The series begins by dramatizing the infamous 2019 boat crash, when 19-year-old Paul Murdaugh — underage and intoxicated — crashed his family’s boat near Parris Island. Teenager Mallory Beach died in the accident, sparking the first wave of public criticism and lawsuits against the family. Allegations soon emerged that the investigation was mishandled to protect Paul and the family’s reputation.
The 2021 Murders
On June 7, 2021, Maggie Murdaugh and Paul Murdaugh were found shot to death at the family’s Moselle estate. The shocking double homicide intensified national attention, and for months, questions swirled about potential suspects and motives.
In 2022, investigators announced charges against Alex Murdaugh, Maggie’s husband and Paul’s father. The following year, after a high-profile trial, Alex was convicted of the murders and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole. The trial revealed not only the brutality of the crime but also layers of deception, financial fraud, and drug addiction that Alex had hidden for years.
Financial Crimes and Legal Fallout
The series doesn’t stop at the murders. It also delves into Alex Murdaugh’s financial schemes, which included stealing millions of dollars from clients and colleagues at his law firm. In 2024, he was sentenced to additional decades in federal prison for financial crimes, effectively ensuring he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
The show highlights how these financial crimes intersected with the murders, creating a portrait of a man who used power, wealth, and influence to maintain control until the lies began to collapse.
A Cast That Brings the Case to Life
One of the most talked-about aspects of Murdaugh: Death in the Family is its star-studded cast, which brings emotional nuance and dramatic weight to the real-life figures.
- Jason Clarke takes on the role of Alex Murdaugh, delivering a performance that captures both the charm and menace of a man leading a double life.
- Patricia Arquette portrays Maggie Murdaugh, adding humanity to a figure often overshadowed by the larger story.
- Johnny Berchtold plays Paul Murdaugh, highlighting both his privileged upbringing and the tragic consequences of his actions.
- Brittany Snow steps into the role of journalist Mandy Matney, the real-life investigative reporter whose dogged pursuit of the truth was instrumental in exposing the family’s crimes.
Behind the camera, the series is helmed by creators Michael D. Fuller and Erin Lee Carr, both known for their skill in blending true crime storytelling with cinematic style. Executive producers include journalists and insiders who followed the case from the beginning, ensuring that the dramatization remains grounded in reality.
Streaming Details: How to Watch
For U.S. viewers, Murdaugh: Death in the Family is available exclusively on Hulu. Subscribers can stream the first three episodes immediately, with additional episodes arriving weekly.
Hulu offers several subscription tiers:
- Ad-Supported Plan – More affordable monthly rate with limited ads.
- Ad-Free Plan – Premium tier for uninterrupted viewing.
- Hulu + Disney+ Bundle – A package that combines both platforms for a single price.
New users can take advantage of Hulu’s trial options, making it easy to catch the series without missing a moment. For many true crime enthusiasts, this series is already a must-watch.
Why the Release Date Matters
The confirmation of the Murdaugh: Death in the Family release date on October 15, 2025, comes at a critical time. It has been over two years since Alex Murdaugh’s conviction, allowing the series to present a complete picture of the case. Earlier documentaries were released while legal proceedings were still unfolding, but this dramatization benefits from hindsight and the full timeline of events.
The show’s debut also arrives amid a broader cultural moment where audiences are increasingly interested in high-profile true crime dramas. Recent series like Dahmer – Monster and The Staircase proved that dramatized true stories can reach massive audiences when done well. Hulu’s decision to invest heavily in this project reflects both the cultural impact of the Murdaugh story and the platform’s strategy to compete in the true crime genre.
Key Timeline of Events
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Boat crash involving Paul Murdaugh | February 24, 2019 | Mallory Beach killed; investigation begins |
| Maggie & Paul Murdaugh murders | June 7, 2021 | Found shot at Moselle estate |
| Alex Murdaugh arrested | July 2022 | Charged with double homicide |
| Alex Murdaugh convicted | March 2, 2023 | Life sentences handed down |
| Series premiere on Hulu | October 15, 2025 | First three episodes released |
| Weekly episodes rollout | October–November 2025 | New episodes each week |
Cultural Impact and Public Fascination
The Murdaugh story isn’t just another crime drama — it’s a reflection of power, privilege, and accountability in the American legal system. For decades, the family operated above scrutiny, controlling courtrooms and community narratives. When their world collapsed, it exposed systemic weaknesses and raised uncomfortable questions about how justice operates in close-knit communities dominated by a single family.
This ongoing fascination is why the series has attracted massive attention ahead of its release. Social media platforms are filled with conversations, with viewers dissecting casting choices, storylines, and real-life details depicted on screen. Many see the dramatization as a way to understand the emotional layers behind the headlines — not just the facts of the case, but the human cost.
A New Chapter in a Continuing Story
While Alex Murdaugh is now serving multiple life sentences, legal actions connected to the family continue to make news. Civil lawsuits from the Mallory Beach case, financial restitution claims, and lingering questions around other deaths keep the story relevant. The series premieres at a time when the dust has settled legally, but emotionally, the case remains raw for many involved.
Murdaugh: Death in the Family uses this moment to explore the bigger themes that defined the saga — power, denial, loyalty, and betrayal — giving audiences a narrative that’s as much about people as it is about crimes.
What did you think of the series premiere? Share your reactions, favorite performances, or thoughts on how the show portrayed the case in the comments below.