How Many Episodes Are in Season 1 of “How to Get Away with Murder”?

Fans of the legal thriller often wonder exactly how many episodes make up the first season of How to Get Away with Murder. The answer is clear: Season 1 consists of fifteen episodes. This inaugural run introduced viewers to the complex world of Annalise Keating, a brilliant yet unconventional law professor, and her group of ambitious students who become entangled in a murder investigation that tests their morals and loyalties.

Season 1 at a Glance

Premiering in September 2014 on ABC, the first season aired weekly until March 2015. Each episode runs roughly forty‑five minutes, giving the series ample time to develop intricate plotlines and deep character arcs. The fifteen‑episode structure allowed the creators to balance courtroom drama with personal storylines, creating a rhythm that kept audiences hooked from the opening scene to the season finale.

Episode Breakdown

Below is a concise guide to the fifteen episodes that make up Season 1. The titles are listed in order of broadcast, followed by a brief note on the central focus of each installment.

  1. Pilot – Annalise Keating selects a group of law students for a prestigious internship, setting the stage for a murder case that will change their lives.
  2. It's All About the Money – The students navigate a high‑stakes corporate case while tensions rise within the group.
  3. Smile – A seemingly simple case of assault reveals hidden motives, and the students begin to question their own ethics.
  4. He Deserved to Die – A murder trial forces Annalise to confront a painful past, while the students grapple with loyalty to one another.
  5. Smile – The group deals with the fallout from a courtroom loss, and secrets start to surface.
  6. Two Birds, One Stone – A new client brings unexpected complications, testing the students’ legal skills and personal boundaries.
  7. Freakin' Sweet – A case involving a college fraternity forces the team to confront issues of privilege and accountability.
  8. He's Not a Bad Guy – The investigation deepens as new evidence points to surprising suspects.
  9. She Wants to Be a Killer – A shocking revelation about a key witness shakes the foundation of the case.
  10. We Want the Money – Financial motives drive a courtroom showdown, and alliances begin to shift.
  11. I'm Not a Killer – The students must decide how far they are willing to go to protect one of their own.
  12. We Don't Want to Be Alone – Personal relationships become tangled as the murder mystery reaches a turning point.
  13. What If a Man Could Talk – A courtroom drama brings out hidden truths, forcing characters to confront their own deceptions.
  14. Why Do You Want to Kill Me? – Tensions climax as the investigation threatens to expose long‑buried secrets.
  15. My Lover, My Friend – The season finale ties together the major story arcs, delivering a dramatic resolution that sets up future seasons.

Why the Fifteen‑Episode Format Works

The decision to produce fifteen episodes for the first season was strategic. It gave the show enough time to establish its core characters—Annalise Keating, her students (including Wes, Michaela, Connor, and others), and the supporting cast—while also delivering a tightly woven murder mystery. This length allowed each episode to focus on both the procedural elements of law school and the personal dramas that drive the narrative forward.

Moreover, the fifteen‑episode arc provides a natural pacing rhythm. Early episodes introduce the central crime and the legal cases the students handle, middle episodes deepen the intrigue with twists and character revelations, and the final episodes deliver the payoff, resolving the main murder plot while leaving enough unanswered questions to entice viewers into the next season.

How to Watch Season 1 Efficiently

If you plan to binge the first season, consider the following approach: