Murdaugh: Death in the Family Official Podcast

Episode: Brittany Snow On Portraying ‘Mandy Matney’
Release Date: October 15, 2025
Host: Mandy Matney (Luna Shark & USG Audio)
Guest: Brittany Snow

Overview

This episode offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes discussion focused on the Hulu Original series "Murdaugh: Death in the Family," specifically exploring Brittany Snow’s portrayal of investigative journalist and podcast creator Mandy Matney. The conversation unveils how a stranger-than-fiction Lowcountry true crime saga—first chronicled in Matney’s podcasts and reporting—has been adapted for television. Mandy and Brittany deeply reflect on the emotional cost of investigative work, representation of women, and the transformation of real events into compelling drama.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins: From Podcast to Hulu Drama

[01:24–03:28]

• Mandy describes her surreal experience seeing her life dramatized:

  “I can't believe I'm saying this right now, but that's Brittany Snow playing me.” (01:24)

• Episode 2 of the Hulu series focuses on the chaos after the 2019 boat crash—the catalyst for the unraveling of the Murdaugh dynasty and Matney’s entry into the story.
• Mandy stresses the importance of strong female voices—herself, Liz Farrell, and Renee Beach—in pushing for accountability.

2. The Personal Toll of True Crime Reporting

[03:28–06:52]

• Mandy highlights the severe mental health challenges she faced, exacerbated by online trolling, invasive attention, and threats:

  “All of this made me spiral into a dark place that it took years to get out of.” (05:41)

• She sheds light on the isolation and fear that came with unwanted spotlight, not feeling safe in public and always moving with her husband.
• Still, weekly podcasting persisted due to the support of listeners.

3. Brittany Snow Discovers—and Binge Listens to—the Murdoch Murders Podcast

[07:33–08:53]

• Brittany shares how a lawyer friend and her mutual true crime obsession drew her to Mandy’s work:

  “I called her back, and I was like...I really also liked from the very beginning that it felt very grassroots and that you were invested in the case...So then when I got to play you, I felt even more like I knew you. So it was sort of full circle.” (07:44)

• Both agree the podcast’s “raw” and “unpolished” format added to its authenticity.

4. Complexity of the Case and Emotional Investment

[09:49–11:36]

• Brittany is drawn to layered, ambiguous true crime:

  “I'm not really into the type of podcasts or true crime stories that you can figure it out pretty quickly. And I think with this...you want so badly...to doubt yourself in terms of, he could never do this...” (09:49)

• They reflect on the horror of a father accused of murdering his own family—a motive so senseless, people refuse to believe it.

5. A Shared Temperament: Perseverance, Sensitivity, & Strength

[12:52–14:17]

• Brittany relates to Mandy’s resilience, sensitivity, and the struggle to be taken seriously in a male-dominated field:

  “You always doubled down on the fact that you came from a place of justice and wanting...your morals were so strong...” (12:52) “A lot of people want to doubt people who lead with their happiness and smile...That doesn’t mean that you don’t have something to say just because you’re perky.” (13:42)

• Mandy discusses gaining confidence, embracing femininity (like wearing pink), and breaking the mold of serious journalists.

6. Landing (and Embracing) the Role of Mandy

[15:29–17:54]

• Brittany learned about the part via a personal connection—Bashir, a show writer. Her genuine investment in the story helped her ace the audition.
• Mandy describes the thrill and flattery of learning Brittany wanted to play her.

7. The Challenge and Privilege of Portraying a Real Person

[18:14–19:03]

• Brittany wanted to honor Mandy’s story:

  "The only thing that was intimidating was that I wanted to do a good job for you and for the story and to serve the story that you worked so hard on for so many years." (18:25)

• Mandy’s presence on set was supportive, not intimidating.

8. Portraying Women Taking Space & Fighting Patriarchy

[19:14–20:25]

• Brittany:

  "You were dealing with this on the outside, reporting about it, but this is a story that is intrinsic to why it even happened... this patriarchal sort of dynasty..." (19:14)

• Discussion of a notable on-screen line—“A girl is missing. That’s a big deal.”—delivered with understated power rather than melodrama (20:25).

9. Representing Real Relationships: Mandy & Liz Collaboration

[22:12–26:53]

• Both women and the showrunners prioritized accurately depicting the powerful partnership between Mandy and Liz Farrell—not reducing them to a cliché “female composite character.”
• The bond and synergy between them gave each confidence and courage amid fear and adversity.
• Mandy:

  “We don’t have to fight against...we don’t have to compete against each other.” (24:44)

• Liz and Alicia Kelly (the actress who plays her) also share reflections on the challenge of seeing oneself portrayed and the authenticity of the newsroom dynamics (28:08–34:49).

10. The Emotional Impact of the Boat Crash & Centering Victims

[36:06–42:51]

• The original 911 call from the 2019 boat crash is revisited.
• Brittany relates deeply, recalling her own reckless teenage years:

  “I felt like that could have been me. It really tugged at my heart so much...” (38:40)

• Both are frustrated by the public’s tendency to victim-blame, especially Mallory Beach.
• Brittany:

  “We made sure that they [Mallory and Steven] were very much at the forefront of why we were doing these scenes and what we were trying to portray.” (41:57)

11. Grief, Closure, and Inspiration

[43:16–45:27]

• Mandy credits Brittany with helping her process the grief of losing her brother, which shaped her journalistic drive:

  "Britney Snow has helped heal so many broken parts of me and made me realize that I am so much stronger than I ever gave myself credit for." (43:16)

• Brittany praises Mandy’s moral convictions, tracing them to personal tragedy:

  “You felt pain that didn’t need to happen, and you wanted to right that wrong for your parents, and you wanted to right that wrong for yourself.” (44:34)

12. Online Harassment, Resilience, and Feminine Strength

[45:27–48:21]

• Mandy and Brittany discuss online harassment, both their sensitivities, and the strength in embracing emotional vulnerability.
• Mandy:

  “Ignoring bullying is how we got here. No one is held accountable for their actions in silence.” (46:05)

• Brittany admits:

  “I’m too sensitive to look at [comments]…I just get sad.” (46:46)

13. The Healing Power of Art and Community

[48:51–50:15]

• For Mandy, the Hulu show marks a form of closure—a way to heal old wounds.
• Brittany similarly describes re-finding herself through this role after time away for mental health.
• Final affirmations of pride for themselves and the women they’ve portrayed.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mandy Matney, about Brittany Snow portraying her:
  “There is no one better as an actor and as a human to play me in this, I mean it. It has been an honor of a lifetime that I will never shut up about.” (03:24)
• Brittany Snow, on why she was drawn to the podcast:
  “I really also liked from the very beginning that it felt very grassroots and that you were invested in the case...I felt like I knew you. And so then when I got to play you, I felt even more like I knew you.” (07:44)
• Brittany Snow on true crime’s appeal:
  “When I have a case to solve or a problem to solve, it almost calms me...it's like a form of meditation, which is really messed up.” (12:23)
• On working as women in a male-dominated field:
  “I remember thinking...I felt dismissed...Why couldn't it be a female? Why couldn't it be me?” — Brittany, relaying a directing anecdote (22:29)
• On collaboration:
  “When we work together, we are so much more powerful and so much more...It's just better. We don't have to fight against...we don't have to compete against each other.” — Mandy (24:44)
• Brittany Snow, about portraying real people:
  “My version of you...is inspired by you, but I never wanted it to be...an imitation or something that was feeling inauthentic.” (21:05)
• On centering victims:
  “We made sure that they were very much at the forefront of why we were doing these scenes and what we were trying to portray.” — Brittany (41:57)
• On healing through storytelling:
  “Britney Snow has helped heal so many broken parts of me and made me realize that I am so much stronger than I ever gave myself credit for.” — Mandy (43:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment Description | Timestamps | |---------------------|:---------:| | Opening scenario and Mandy’s introduction | 01:01–03:28 | | Mental health struggles and online trolling | 03:28–06:52 | | Brittany’s discovery of the podcast | 07:33–08:53 | | Emotional complexity of the case | 09:49–11:36 | | Relatability between Mandy & Brittany | 12:52–14:17 | | Getting cast as Mandy Matney | 15:29–17:54 | | Navigating acting process with Mandy present | 18:14–19:03 | | Women, patriarchy, and key show line (“That’s a big deal”) | 19:14–20:25 | | Portraying the Mandy-Liz partnership | 22:12–26:53 | | Liz & Alicia Kelly discuss newsroom dynamics | 28:08–34:49 | | The 911 call & centering victims | 36:06–42:51 | | Mandy’s grief, closure, inspiration | 43:16–45:27 | | Harassment, resilience, and sensitivity online | 45:27–48:21 | | Healing, closure, and celebration of women | 48:51–end |

Additional Highlights

• The casting of both Mandy and Liz as separate, equally strong women is noted as a progressive choice in TV storytelling.
• Brittany and Mandy both cherish the depiction of supportive female friendships and the importance of journalistic partnership in the series.
• Numerous references are made to the importance of centering victim’s stories, addressing not just the crime but the people lost and affected.
• A recurring motif: the rejection of archetypes. Both women embrace authenticity and emotional openness as strengths, not weaknesses.

Conclusion

This episode offers a rare, vulnerable, and affirming conversation between truth-teller and performer, creating a blueprint for how true stories can be transformed into ethical, impactful drama. Mandy and Brittany’s connection amplifies the core themes of justice, empathy, and collaboration running through the series—and through real life. Listeners come away with profound insight into both the burden and hope that comes with telling, and embodying, stories that matter.