The new HBO Max limited series Love & Death explores the true story of Candy Montgomery, a Texas mother and wife who was accused of killing her friend, Betty Gore, after having an affair with Betty’s husband, Allan.
The story has captured attention over the years because despite the barbarity of the crime and the fact that Candy had the axe in hand, she was acquitted on the grounds that it was an act of self-defense. A polygraph even proved it. Love & Death will mark the second project in recent years to cover the gruesome events as Hulu’s Candy also depicted the true crime saga.
The Love & Death creator David E. Kelley is no stranger to bringing captivating limited series to life. He’s seen great success with Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers and The Lincoln Lawyer.
Here’s everything we know about Love & Death.
Love & Death UK release date
Love & Death aired in the US in spring 2023, but it is finally making its way to the UK, as the true-crime drama will be shown on ITVX starting Thursday, September 7.
Love & Death episode guide
Keep track of all the Love & Death episodes here:
Love & Death episode 1: "The Huntress"
"After a surprisingly charged moment at a church volleyball match, Candy proposes that she and Allan have an affair."
Love & Death episode 2: "Encounters:
"As their affair continues, Candy fears that she and Allan are at risk of breaking their first rule - no feelings."
Love & Death episode 3: "Stepping Stone"
"A sense of normalcy returns after Candy is forced to take stock of her own marriage, but Pat soon makes a discovery that changes things."
Love & Death episode 4: "Do No Evil"
"Following a grisly struggle, Candy attempts to go about her day as normally as possible; Allan's repeated calls to Betty go unanswered; Candy gives her version of events to the police, who also question Allan about the fidelity of his marriage."
Love & Death episode 5: "The Arrest"
"The police intensify the investigation, and Don Crowder convinces Candy to hire him as her lawyer; Allan confesses about having an affair with Candy to Betty's family; Pat is upset about not being aware of the affair."
Love & Death episode 6: "The Big Top"
"Don's explosive comments reveal a strategy that shocks the community; Candy gets a visit from Pastor Jackie, who is furious and hurt; Allan's testimony about Betty's mental state infuriates her father."
Love & Death cast
Love & Death stars Elizabeth Olsen (Wandavision) as Candy Montgomery. Olsen has been all over the place in recent years, from Sorry for Your Loss to reprising her role as Wanda Maximoff most recently in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.
Also in the cast are Jesse Plemons (The Irishman) as Allan Gore, Lily Rabe (American Horror Story) as Betty Gore and Patrick Fugit (Outcast) as Pat Montgomery. The series also stars Tom Pelphrey, Krysten Ritter, Keir Gilchrist and Elizabeth Marvel.
Love & Death plot
Here's the logline for the series from HBO:
"Love & Death tells the true story of Candy and Pat Montgomery and Betty and Allan Gore — two churchgoing couples enjoying their small-town Texas life… until an extramarital affair leads somebody to pick up an axe."
Love & Death trailer
You can tell from the very start of the trailer for Love & Death that something isn't quite right with Olsen's Candy Montgomery as she yearns for something more than the life she has. She's even polite when she asks to have an affair, which makes what happens in the end downright shocking.
You'll also find the teaser below the trailer:
How to watch Love & Death
Love & Death is an HBO Max original, which means you need a subscription to the premium service in order to watch. Most subscribers to HBO the cable network have access to HBO Max for free.
