America’s most hyped new show for autumn has undoubtedly been* How To Get Away With Murder*, the latest offering from the current queen of TV, Shonda Rhimes. Featuring Viola Davis, it follows a group of college students as the things they learn in their criminal law class become relevent in their real lives when something goes terribly wrong. Already a few episodes in in the US, it comes to the Universal channel here tonight.
Here’s why you need to watch it:
You’ll be part of Shondaland
We’re big fans of the show’s creator Shonda Rhimes over here. Recently called the 'most powerful black female showrunner in Hollywood' (she crossed off ‘female’ and ‘black’ and sent it back) Rhimes is currently ruling American television. In fact, Thursday nights on popular US channel ABC currently have the following schedule; Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder making it entirely Shonda’s night. Not only does she take zero bullshit (last week she subtly but artfully called out Katherine Heigl for being difficult to work with), she also says awesome things like 'You don't have a job? Get one. Any job. Don't sit at home waiting for the magical opportunity. Who are you? Prince William? No! Get a job!'
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It’s got classic Shondaland twists
Any Scandal watcher worth their salt knows that nothing is true and everything is up for grabs. Just when you think you've got a handle on which characters are good and which are bad, everything gets turned on it's head. The same looks like it's going to be true for HTGAWM - in the pilot alone affairs are revealed, secrets are set up and unsolved mysteries are planted - with the proviso that you'll find out the answer when Shonda's ready. Get ready to have your head messed with.
It’s going to break all the rules
American audiences nearly choked on their green juices when the first episode aired and showed not only a pretty graphic (for TV) sex scene between two men, but the suggestion of (whisper it) one man rimming another. Considering there's many in America who are still outraged by the uber-tame gay relationship on family friendly sitcom Modern Family, this is Shonda's version of tearing up the rule book, setting it on fire and cackling maniacally as it burns. More please!
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Viola Davis
Think you’ve seen hard ass female leads before? Meet Annalise Keating. As the head lecturer for a class entitled How To Get Away With Murder she's the teacher the students learn to fear and respect in equal measures. ‘I don’t know what terrible things you done in your life up to this point but clearly your karma’s out of balance to get assigned to my class’ is her opening gambit before she goes on to tear student after student to pieces. Viola Davis is spectacular as Annalise with her hard face and perfect snarl - a far cry from the submissive women she plays in The Help and last year's excellent Prisoners.
How To Get Away With Murder starts tonight at 10PM on Universal
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.