The true story behind new drama Love & Death

Love and Death first premiered in the United States on HBO Max, but for those of us in the UK who want to watch the acclaimed drama, they can now do so thanks to ITV.

The broadcaster has acquired the rights to the seven-part drama which means fans can watch the series starring A-list actors Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons.

WATCH: Love and Death official trailer

But did you know that the drama is based on a real murder case? Learn more about the poignant true story that inspired the show below.

Is Love and Death based on a true story?

Love & Death is about Candace ‘Candy’ Montgomery, played by Elizabeth Olsen, a suburban housewife in Texas who lives with her husband Pat (Jesse Plemons) and their two children.

© ITVElizabeth Olsen in HBO’s Love and Death, coming soon to ITVX

Tragedy struck the town when Candace killed her lover’s wife after the affair was exposed. The story begins in the late 1970s when Candy and Pat meet a new couple at church named Betty and Allan Gore.

Candy expressed her attraction to Allan and soon the two began an illicit relationship, despite both parties being married and having children.

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Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery in Love and Death© ITVElizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery in Love and Death

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On a Friday night in 1980, suspicion grew when Allan failed to reach his wife Betty. Soon, a neighbor entered their family home and called the police department to report that Betty had been brutally murdered.

At first, the police suspected Candy because she was the last person to see Betty alive, but she had a solid alibi, so the suspicion disappeared. However, that changed when Allan confessed to the affair as authorities now discovered a motive for Candy’s potential crime.

After being arrested and charged, Candy denied the charges and tried to fight her case in court. But while she was on trial, she then admitted that Candy confessed to the affair to Betty and that Betty was the one who grabbed the ax and tried to kill Candy. Candy then claimed it was self-defense, explaining that the pair had been caught in a fight.

Lily Rabe and Jesse Plemons in Love and Death© ITVLily Rabe and Jesse Plemons in Love and Death

After an eight-day trial, the jury acquitted Candy of Betty’s murder. She and her husband, Pat, eventually moved away from Texas after the ruling proved controversial. According to People, she lives in Georgia.

What is Love and Death on ITV about?

The synopsis for the show reads: “Despite a loving family, a perfect home, and an active church presence, Candy can’t shake her feelings of suburban boredom. After an unexpectedly charged moment with fellow church member Allan Gore, Candy finds just the thrill of taking risks she’s been craving. was missing in life.

“Their ensuing affair, a carefully crafted strategy, goes largely according to plan – until their spouses, Pat and Betty, each reveal a secret… and someone takes the axe.”

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Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery © ITVElizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery

Who is starring in Love and Death?

As mentioned, the lead roles in the drama are played by Elizabeth Olsen and Jesse Plemons. The cast also includes Lily Rabe, who plays Betty Gore, Allan’s wife. Lily has already had roles in shows like American Horror Story and The Undoing – but she’s also a prolific theater actress and received a Tony Award nomination for her role in The Merchant of Vernice on Broadway.

Patrick Fugit, on the other hand, plays Pat Montgomery, Candy’s husband. Patrick has appeared in films such as First Man, Gone Girl and Babylon.

Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education

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