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Season 1 – Murder One

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Murder One Sep 1995 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
93% Tomatometer 14 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
High-powered attorney Theodore Hoffman defends Neil Avedon, an arrogant young actor with a track record of drug-and-alcohol problems, in a murder trial so complex that it spanned the entire first season. The trial also involves Richard Cross, the wealthy businessman who owned the building where the murder took place. Hoffman is assisted by Chris, Arnold, Justine and Lisa, the ambitious young attorneys on his staff.

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Murder One — Season 1

Murder One — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

From noted writer and producer Steven Bochco, Murder One is a well-crafted crime drama that pushes the envelope with its phenomenal writing, exceptional casting, and striking visuals.

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Critics Reviews

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Thomas Sutcliffe Independent (UK) 07/30/2019
[Murder One] was all just procedure really, but it was compelling. So compelling, in fact, that what was worst about Murder One -- its solemn, unashamed addiction to melodrama -- hardly mattered. Go to Full Review Empire Staff Empire Magazine 07/29/2019
4/5
[Murder One] credited its audience with the intelligence to follow the twists and turns of a murder case being defended by hush-toned lawyer Theodore Hoffman. Go to Full Review Richard Vine Guardian 07/29/2019
Murder One represents a moment when a network series was capable of stretching its audience, piling up the twists -- and delivering an explosive denouement. Go to Full Review Alan Pergament Buffalo News 07/30/2019
Murder One would have played much better as a four-hour or eight-hour miniseries than as a regular series. Many of its middle episodes barely inched the plot along. Go to Full Review Samantha Bornemann PopMatters 07/29/2019
Season One remains impressive, unsettling and influential. Go to Full Review MaryAnn Johanson Flick Filosopher 07/29/2019
The plot is novelistically complex, with numerous subplots and a roster of characters, each with his or her own slew of quirks and secrets, that you might need a cheat sheet to keep up with. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Niki M 11/26/2024 I remember being transfixed by Murder One when it first aired almost thirty years ago. So it was instructive to watch it again in 2024. And it was absolutely rivetting the second time around. A brilliant script, acting and pacing - it shows that excellence is never bound by time. So compelling is this drama that it is only long afterwards, when the spell has worn off, that you start to think about the many glaring plot holes. And the script and acting is so good that only afterwards do you realise that many characters were actually caricatures of themselves. Some of the personal sub-plots could have been shortened, and some left out all together. If I only have one criticism, it would be that at 23 episodes, the series is too long. It could have been shorter and tighter. See more J E 05/06/2024 Season 1is one of the finest dramas ever presented on television. Everything is spot on. See more Marian M 08/06/2023 This is halt far the best legal drama I've seen. This series unfortunately was aired far ahead of its time. It's a gem you should not miss out on. Season one anyway. See more Read all reviews
Murder One — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Daniel Benzali

Ted Hoffman

Michael Hayden

Chris Docknovich

J.C. MacKenzie

Arnold Spivak

Grace Phillips

Lisa Gillespie

Mary McCormack

Justine Appleton

John Fleck

Louis Heinsbergen

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 19, 1995 Chapter One A Los Angeles attorney (Daniel Benzali) defends a wealthy entrepreneur (Stanley Tucci) in the death of a lover's teenage sister. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 26, 1995 Chapter Two Hoffman becomes suspicious of Cross' attitude; a surprise witness emerges; Lisle's boyfriend becomes the target of an assault charge. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 3, 1995 Chapter Three Troubled by Avedon's (Jason Gedrick) addiction, Hoffman (Daniel Benzali) selects a new second chair in the case; Grasso (Barbara Bosson) encourages Hoffman to plea bargain. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 12, 1995 Chapter Four A compromising home video undermines Avedon's polygraph test and Hoffman's defense strategy; Jessica's diary disturbs Hollywood honchos. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 19, 1995 Chapter Five Blalock (Kevin Tighe) hunts for evidence that could shatter Cross' alibi; Appleton (Mary McCormack) defends a young Jew (Maury Ginsberg) accused of an anti-Semitic crime. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 2, 1995 Chapter Six Hoffman (Daniel Benzali) fears for Julie's safety under Dr. Lester's care; sparks fly between Spivak (J.C. MacKenzie) and an attractive prosecutor (Kathleen York). Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 9, 1995 Chapter Seven A mystery witness claims the ability to link Neil (Jason Gedrick) to the murder; Louis (John Fleck) uncovers an office mole who is leaking information. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 16, 1995 Chapter Eight Neil (Jason Gedrick) plans a live television interview; another incriminating videotape surfaces; Julie is arrested for DUI; guest Carol Lawrence. Details Episode 9 Aired Jan 8, 1996 Chapter Nine A deranged fan of Avedon's confesses to Jessica's murder; Annie (Patricia Clarkson) confronts Hoffman (Daniel Benzali) with a disturbing rumor. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 15, 1996 Chapter Ten Hoffman (Daniel Benzali) moves to dismiss charges against Avedon (Jason Gedrick); Gillespie (Grace Phillips) represents a wealthy Brazilian student accused of date rape. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 22, 1996 Chapter Eleven Opening statements begin; Polson (Dylan Baker) probes a kidnapping; Gillespie (Grace Phillips) confronts Appleton (Mary McCormack) about Cross (Stanley Tucci). Details Episode 12 Aired Feb 5, 1996 Chapter Twelve Lizzie identifies the woman who kidnapped her; rumors jeopardize an office relationship; Cross (Stanley Tucci) is called to testify. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 12, 1996 Chapter Thirteen Valecek (Joe Spano) finds a videotape that shatters Cross' alibi; Grasso (Barbara Bosson) calls a surprise witness; Annie (Patricia Clarkson) makes an announcement. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 19, 1996 Chapter Fourteen Jury trouble disrupts the trial; the Hoffmans explain their situation to Lizzie (Vanessa Zima); Cross (Stanley Tucci) rewards Appleton (Mary McCormack) for her assistance. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 4, 1996 Chapter Fifteen Hollywood notables are forced to testify; Hoffman questions Blondo's medical emergency; Julie has a revelation. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 11, 1996 Chapter Sixteen Eduardo Portalegre faces rape charges again; Garfield and Julie testify; Hoffman batters at Lester's credibility. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 18, 1996 Chapter Seventeen Avedon's mother testifies; Grasso makes Hoffman a surprising offer; Julie's slip of the tongue has major ramifications for Appleton. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 1, 1996 Chapter Eighteen Cross (Stanley Tucci) exhibits strange behavior on and off the witness stand; Avedon (Jason Gedrick) insists on testifying on his own behalf. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 8, 1996 Chapter Nineteen Hoffman and Grasso (Daniel Benzali, Barbara Bosson) deliver closing arguments; Julie (Bobbie Phillips) learns devastating news about Cross (Stanley Tucci). Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 22, 1996 Chapter Twenty The jury announces its verdict; Hoffman and Grasso (Daniel Benzali, Barbara Bosson) discuss the trial on "Larry King Live." Details Episode 21 Aired Apr 22, 1996 Chapter Twenty-One The jury announces its verdict in the Avedon trial and Hoffman and Grasso discuss the outcome on "The Larry King Show". Details Episode 22 Aired Apr 22, 1996 Chapter Twenty-Two All is revealed during the aftermath of the verdict. Details Episode 23 Aired Apr 23, 1996 Chapter Twenty-Three The real killer is revealed. Details

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Murder One — Season 1

Murder One Murder One Murder One Murder One View more photos

Season Info

Executive Producer
Steven Bochco, Charles Eglee
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 19, 1995