How to Get Away With Murder aired back in 2014. A show by none other than Shondaland, with Shonda Rhimes as an executive producer, the series is enticing at every turn. It's violent and bloody, so it may not be for everyone. But for those that love a good murder mystery and morally gray characters who tend to the dark side, this is a must-watch.
How to Get Away With Murder tells the story of a law attorney and teacher Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) who chooses her best students to help her with criminal cases. Soon, they are the ones dealing with murder and crime and have to use everything she taught them to not go to jail.
This crime show is already difficult to follow as it tells the story in two timelines (the past and the night of a murder), and it's up to the viewer to try to connect the dots before the murderer and the victim are revealed. Also, it being an ensemble cast with multiple storylines and protagonists can be confusing when trying to follow the story. Here are the main characters' guide and descriptions for those who want to embark on this journey — that may be challenging, but it is undoubtedly entertaining.
Viola Davis as Annalise Keating
Annalise Keating, the role that Viola Davis won an Emmy for, is the character that ultimately changes the lives of everyone in the show. Annalise is a criminal lawyer that also teaches law at Middleton University. It's in her very competitive class, Criminal Law 101, or as she likes to call it, How to Get Away with Murder, that we meet the other leads in the ensemble cast. Keating is a cutthroat lawyer with a problematic past, filled with abuse and addictions. She is known for being challenging with her clients and is no different with her students.
Viola Davis is known for her work in The Help, The Suicide Squad, and The Woman King.
Alfred Enoch as Wes Gibson
Wes Gibson (Alfred Enoch) is the audience's way into this crazy world of crime, murder, and drama. Wes didn't know what he got himself into when he was accepted into Annalise's class at the last minute. A gentle soul, Wes must prove he deserves to be a part of this class and Annalise's close circle and that he is just as capable of doing the wrong thing for the right results as the others. Nevertheless, Wes is there for a reason, and he will show how smart and necessary he is for all the challenges they are about to face.
Alfred Enoch is most well-known for his role as Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter film series.
Karla Souza as Laurel Castillo
Laurel Castillo (Karla Souza) may not appear as big of a threat at first, but she is one to watch for. Coming from a Mexican family where morals and the law are not strictly followed, she knows how criminals think — and she will use her past experiences to her advantage. She is not one to lose her temper; being calm and reasoning in high-stress situations is one of her best (and most needed) qualities.
Karla Souza started on Mexican television before playing Laurel, and now stars in Home Economics.
Aja Naomi King as Michaela Pratt
Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King) is not the most open-hearted or amicable person. She has a strong sense of self and an even stronger idea of what she wants her life to be like. Engaged and ready to do everything to not become her adoptive parents, she is on the right track to achieving her goals. Don't let her pretty looks fool you; she is just as capable of ending the prosecution as anyone else.
Aja Naomi King previously appeared in the series Emily Owens, M.D., and has had roles in films like The Birth of a Nation and Boxing Day.
Jack Falahee as Connor Walsh
Connor Walsh (Jack Falahee) is the type of guy everyone fears being against. Intelligent, quick, and without boundaries of what he will do to get leads and evidence, he fits in perfectly with the others and Annalise's way of conducting cases. He has trouble expressing his feelings, leading to many affairs but no serious relationship. There might be one I.T. guy capable of making his cold heart melt. And while Walsh may seem the most composed of all, he tends to lose it when things get bloody.
Jack Falahee had a reoccurring role in Twisted before joining How to Get Away with Murder.
Matt McGorry as Asher Millstone
Asher Millstone (Matt McGorry) is the type of guy everyone knows and many dislikes: a frat boy who comes from a wealthy family with a prominent name in politics and the judiciary system. Asher is sometimes loud and inconvenient, but he is willing to show softness when he feels secure. With a dark past, where he let horrible things happen and didn't do anything about it, he has to be careful — secrets tend to come out when you least expect them. Under his easy-going facade is a boy desperate to be a part of something.
Matt McGorry is known for his role as John Bennett in Orange Is the New Black.
Liza Weil as Bonnie Winterbottom
Bonnie Winterbottom (Liza Weil) is Annalise's right-hand woman. Bonnie is an associate attorney that works for Keating's firm. She helps her with all her cases and also manages her students. Bonnie has one of the saddest pasts and met Annalise in a challenging moment. She is quiet but effective, and while her relationship with her boss is weird and complicated, there is no doubt Bonnie would do anything for her.
Liza Weil is well-known for her role as Paris Geller in Gilmore Girls.
Charlie Weber as Frank Delfino
Frank Delfino (Charlie Weber) is Annalise's to-do guy — he does all the dirty work for her. Frank is violent and has no problem humiliating Annalise's students when he feels they must step down their pedestals or even get involved romantically/sexually with them. Frank has no limits on what he will do to help his boss in any way he can, even if that means helping her husband, Sam (Tom Verica), behind her back.
Charlie Weber previously had recurring roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Underemployed. He has also been in films like After We Collided and The Locksmith.