Killer Thriller: Murdaugh Murders

Podcast: Amy Robach & T.J. Holmes Present
Host: Elisa Donovan (produced by iHeartPodcasts)
Guests: Mandy Matney (Executive Producer, Murdaugh Death in the Family), Liz Farrell (Journalist/Co-creator, Murdaugh Murders Podcast)
Date: December 14, 2025

Overview

In the premiere episode of Killer Thriller, host Elisa Donovan explores the dramatization of the real-life Murdaugh Murders case and its depiction in the Hulu series Murdaugh: Death in the Family. Joining Elisa are the powerhouse journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell, whose investigative podcast helped crack open the real story. The discussion covers the emotional truths behind dramatizing true crime, the challenges of telling victim-centered narratives, the complexities of Southern power structures, and the interplay between real lives and their onscreen portrayals.

Main Topics & Key Insights

1. Why Start with the Murdaugh Murders? (02:55–05:21)

• Elisa emphasizes wanting to launch the podcast with this case because of its ethical storytelling, emotional complexity, and deep respect for all involved.
• Mandy and Liz express gratitude and share that bringing nuance to such a complicated, generationally wealthy, and corrupt family was a major feat.

“Somehow the family dynamics, the problems with growing up with generational wealth and no accountability, the list just is endless.”
— Elisa Donovan (04:17)

2. The Line between Real Lives and Dramatization (07:02–10:23)

• Mandy shares the deeply personal impact of seeing her own brother’s death included in the Hulu show, advocating for emotional truth alongside factual accuracy.
• Britney Snow, playing Mandy, invested deeply in her character, going beyond the script and fighting for authentic representation.
• There were internal debates about how much of Mandy’s story should enter the narrative, but Britney’s commitment made a difference.

“She not only knew the entire podcast, but she knew my story… Britney advocated for the scene where I am at Steven’s memorial and mentioning my brother’s death.”
— Mandy Matney (07:44)

3. From Podcast to Hollywood: Navigating Offers and the Creative Team (22:39–28:48)

• The sudden national attention after Alex Murdaugh’s roadside shooting in 2021 led to a flood of Hollywood interest, often with predatory offers (“sign now or your career is over!”).
• Mandy and Liz chose their agent for their protective approach, eventually connecting with documentarian Erin Lee Carr and writer Michael D. Fuller, both of whom grounded the production in emotional integrity and regional authenticity.
• The involvement of South Carolina native Michael D. Fuller, combined with Erin Carr’s victim-focused track record, helped ensure a respectful adaptation.

“The combination of Michael and Erin, they just felt different… refreshing and kind.”
— Mandy Matney (27:08)
“He [her husband] would take calls with people just to learn the language… the lingo that y’all use that nobody else understands.”
— Mandy Matney (23:08)

4. Casting and Performances: Capturing True Character (28:48–34:27)

• Casting was contingent on star power—Patricia Arquette’s signing was the greenlight moment.
• Jason Clark’s portrayal of Alex (“You can’t take your eyes off him!”) was true to the real man’s imposing energy.
• Patricia Arquette’s Maggie mirrored “invisible labor”—a nuanced look at coercive control and erasure of self in a toxic marriage.
• The cast’s dedication to nuance helped avoid sensationalism and instead delivered multi-dimensional characters.

“She (Patricia Arquette) did a lot of research into coercive control and what it’s like to be in a relationship with a narcissist. And that is how she approached the role. And I thought that that was so genius.”
— Mandy Matney (33:07)

5. The Challenge of Victim-Centered Storytelling (34:27–37:57)

• Mandy and Liz emphasize honoring victim wishes, never pushing them into the spotlight, but acting on their behalf.
• Maggie Murdaugh’s story was forgotten for so long; the show visualizes that dynamic, even showing the real-life tension with Mandy’s character.
• Liz discusses the obstacles in reporting in a community dominated socially and economically by the Murdaugh legacy.

“A lot of times when we put victims in the center, they’re actually in the background, but they’re in the background with us.”
— Liz Farrell (34:27)

6. The Aftermath and the Accountability Question (53:08–55:36)

• The group reflects on the public’s fascination: Was it about finally seeing a powerful Southern man actually held accountable?
• They examine Paul’s character, once “easy to hate,” and how the show creates empathy for his struggles while never excusing his actions.
• The conversation touches on how generational privilege corroded the family from within.

“Before I watched this series, I was like, this is a bad kid… Something about watching that, you really see how he just had no help.”
— Elisa Donovan (54:16)

7. Facing Backlash, Danger, and Small-Town Surveillance (66:57–71:32)

• Mandy and Liz were warned they could face retaliation for investigating—a real fear in isolated, insular Southern communities.
• They recount being followed by a state trooper while researching, revealing the ever-present intimidation and surveillance.
• The difficulty of “outsiders” (even interested fans) entering communities like Hampton—“you’re immediately clocked.”

“We were told they would [retaliate] and we were told to be very careful by, you know, sources in law enforcement…”
— Liz Farrell (67:17)

8. Rebranding and the Philosophy behind 'True Sunlight' (72:51–76:45)

• Mandy and Liz discuss rebranding their podcast away from “Murdoch Murders” to “True Sunlight,” symbolizing the goal of bringing transparency and hope, rather than just cataloging crime.
• “Sunlight” is a term in journalism for exposing corruption—thus, “True Sunlight” signifies their shift to ongoing, real-time investigative work with engaged listeners.

“We were so sick of people saying, ‘all you ever do is Murdoch, you’ll never be anything past Murdoch.’ And we were like, ‘yes, we can. Watch us.’”
— Mandy Matney (73:31)
“Sunlight is a word that we use in journalism for transparency.”
— Liz Farrell (75:07)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Dramatization and Grief:
  “It was like the most insane moment of my life… Britney advocated for the scene where I am at Steven’s memorial and mentioning my brother’s death, and the speech was actually longer… she fought really hard to get the whole thing in.” — Mandy Matney (07:44)
• On Legacy and Power:
  “It’s not just something that is about a dirty man who, you know, stabs and kills his family. It’s really just to understand the amount of pressure that was on that man, and self-created, totally self-created.” — Liz Farrell (18:22)
• On Maggie’s Erasure:
  “Nobody knew anything about Maggie… her closest friends had trouble describing her. Ellic basically just described her as a woman and a mother of boys.” — Liz Farrell & Mandy Matney (47:25–48:00)
• On Justice:
  “I think the saddest part of it is that our state… has not used this moment as something to get better... We have not learned the lesson.” — Mandy Matney (65:14)
• On Community Surveillance:
  “It was a cop that was following us… it’s such a rural and desolate place that when somebody is following you, it’s very obvious.” — Mandy Matney (70:13)

Important Timestamps

• Meet Mandy & Liz, and the show’s aim (02:55–05:21)
• Personal loss making it onto TV (07:02–10:23)
• Ethics and emotional truth in adaptation (13:46–15:40)
• Hollywood comes calling; the road to Hulu (22:39–28:48)
• Casting, Patricia Arquette and “emotional labor” (28:48–34:27)
• Victim-centeredness in true crime media (34:27–37:57)
• Navigating power, privilege, and accountability (53:08–55:36)
• Retaliation and the reality of reporting in the rural South (66:57–71:32)
• True Sunlight: rebranding for transparency (72:51–76:45)

Conclusion

This inaugural episode of Killer Thriller delivers a thoughtful, in-depth look at how true crime stories are brought from podcast to screen, focusing on the humanity of those involved—victims, perpetrators, investigators, and their families. The discussion is candid, moving, and packed with behind-the-scenes insights. Listeners gain a profound understanding of the delicate balance between telling a compelling story and honoring real lives, as well as the dangers, challenges, and responsibilities shouldered by the reporters behind the headlines.

Where to listen:

• True Sunlight podcast (Thursdays)
• Cup of Justice podcast (Tuesdays)

For those fascinated by true crime adaptations, journalistic ethics, and the social dynamics of power, this episode is essential listening.