Murdaugh: Death in the Family is a crime drama miniseries co-created by Michael D. Fuller and Erin Lee Carr. Based on Mandy Matney‘s Murdaugh Murders Podcast, the Hulu series is set in South Carolina, and it follows the affluent Maggie and Alex Murdaugh, who seem to have a picture-perfect life, but years of criminal activities and shocking deaths reveal the truth behind the facade. Murdaugh: Death in the Family stars Patricia Arquette, Jason Clarke, Johnny Berchtold, Will Harrison, and Gerald McRaney. So, if you loved the thrilling crime drama, gripping story, and compelling characters in Murdaugh: Death in the Family, here are some similar shows you should check out next.
The Undoing (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
The Undoing is a psychological mystery thriller drama series created by David E. Kelley. Based on Jean Hanff Korelitz’s 2014 novel You Should Have Known, the HBO series is set in New York City, and it follows Grace Fraser, a successful therapist with a picture-perfect family and a book on the way. Her entire life is upended when her family is involved in a brutal murder investigation. The Undoing stars Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Noah Jupe, Lily Rabe, Edgar Ramirez, and Donald Sutherland.
Why It’s Similar? Just like Murdaugh: Death in the Family, The Undoing features an affluent family with sinister secrets and a shocking crime that breaks the image of their picture-perfect family.
Dirty John Season 2 (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video)
Dirty John is a true crime anthology series created by Alexandra Cunningham. Based on Christopher Goffard’s podcast of the same name, the second season USA Network series revolves around the messy divorce of childhood sweethearts Betty and Dan Broderick, which ultimately ends in a double homicide. Dirty John Season 2 stars Amanda Peet, Christian Slater, Rachel Keller, Lily Donoghue, Missi Pyle, Emily Bergl, and Holley Fain.
Why It’s Similar? Dirty John Season 2 and the Murdaugh true crime series have many things in common, including the toxic marriage of the leading couple, which leads to a shocking crime that shook millions in the country.
The Staircase (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
The Staircase is a biographical crime drama series created by Antonio Campos. Based on the 2004 docuseries of the same name by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, the HBO Max series follows Michael Peterson, a popular crime novelist, as he is accused of murdering his wife, Kathleen, but he insists that she actually slipped on the stairs. The Staircase stars Colin Firth, Toni Collette, Michael Stuhlbarg, Dane DeHaan, Olivia DeJonge, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sophie Turner, Odessa Young, and Rosemarie DeWitt.
Why It’s Similar? Just like Murdaugh: Death in the Family, this HBO Max series revolves around a shocking legal case that unearthed an affluent family’s deeply hidden secrets.
Under the Bridge (Hulu)
Under the Bridge is a Canadian true crime drama series developed by Quinn Shephard. Based on Rebecca Godfrey’s 1997 book of the same name, the Hulu series revolves around the murder investigation of teenage girl Reena Virk and the unlikely suspects who emerge after an investigation by a local police officer and Rebecca Godfrey. Under the Bridge stars Lily Gladstone, Vritika Gupta, Chloe Guidry, Javon “Wanna” Walton, Izzy G, Aiyana Goodfellow, and Riley Keough.
Why It’s Similar? While Under the Bridge and Murdaugh: Death in the Family seem like completely different shows, if you observe, both of these revolve around shocking crimes with the likely suspect belonging to an affluent family, and the investigation is being carried out by an outsider.
The Perfect Couple (Netflix)
The Perfect Couple is a mystery drama miniseries developed by Jenna Lamia. Based on Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 novel of the same name, the Netflix series is set in Nantucket, and it revolves around the affluent Winbury family as they celebrate a wedding in the family. Things get complicated when a dead body appears and everyone in the Winbury family becomes a suspect. The Perfect Couple stars Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Eve Hewson, Billy Howle, Meghann Fahy, Donna Lynne Champlin, and Jack Reynor.
Why It’s Similar? While The Perfect Couple is not a true story like that of the Murdaughs, it does have many similarities to the Hulu series, such as both shows revolve around an affluent couple who are hiding dark secrets, only to be revealed because of a shocking crime.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (Netflix)
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is a biographical crime drama anthology series created by Ryan Murphy. Based on true events, the second season of the Netflix series revolves around the murders of José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, who were killed by their sons Lyle and Erick Menendez. Monsters: The Lyle and Erick Menendez Story stars Javier Bardem, Chloë Sevigny, Cooper Koch, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Ari Graynor, and Nathan Lane.
Why It’s Similar? Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has similarities to Murdaugh: Death in the Family, such as a broken family, shocking crimes, and sinister secrets hidden behind the veil of a picture-perfect family.
Apples Never Fall (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video)
Apples Never Fall is a mystery drama series developed by Melanie Marnich. Based on Liane Moriarty’s 2021 novel of the same name, the Peacock series is set in West Palm Beach, and it revolves around the affluent Delaney family, who seem to have a picture-perfect life, but their lives are upended when the matriarch of the family suddenly goes missing, and the patriarch seems like the perpetrator. Apples Never Fall stars Annette Bening, Sam Neill, Jake Lacy, Conor Merrigan Turner, Essie Randles, and Georgie Flood.
Why It’s Similar? Apples Never Fall and Murdaugh: Death in the Family both revolve around affluent and seemingly perfect families as sinister secrets come out after an incident.