Why Women Kill
WHY WOMEN KILL, a darkly comedic drama created by Marc Cherry, details the lives of three women living in three different decades: a housewife in the ‘60s, a socialite in the ‘80s and a lawyer in 2019, each dealing with infidelity in their marriages. The series examines how the roles of women have changed, but how their reaction to betrayal… has not.
For Your Consideration
Outstanding Comedy Series
Executive Producers: Marc Cherry, Mindy Schultheis, Michael Hanel, Brian Grazer, Francie Calfo, Marc Webb
Co-Executive Producer: Austin Guzman
Producer: Anna Culp
Produced By: Mark Grossan
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Lucy Liu
Ginnifer Goodwin
Kirby Howell-Baptiste
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Marc Cherry & Curtis Kheel
Episode 110 – “Kill Me as if it Were the Last Time”
OUTSTANDING DIRECTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
David Warren
Episode 110 – “Kill Me as if it Were the Last Time”
OUTSTANDING PERIOD COSTUMES
Janie Bryant
Tiger Curran
Carolyn Dessert
Episode 107 – “I Found Out What the Secret…”
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY FOR SCRIPTED PROGRAMMING
Kathryn Burns
OUTSTANDING CASTING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Scott Genkinger, CSA
Deborah George, CSA
OUTSTANDING MAIN TITLE DESIGN
Chris Billig
Douglas Rowell
OUTSTANDING LEAD ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Jack Davenport
Reid Scott
Sam Jaeger
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A COMEDY SERIES
Leo Howard
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A COMEDY SERIES
Sadie Calvano
Alexandra Daddario
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR A NARRATIVE PERIOD OR FANTASY PROGRAM (ONE HOUR OR MORE)
Mark Worthington, Production Designer
Rachel Robb Kondrath, Art Director
Susan Benjamin, Set Decorator, SDSA
Episodes 101 – “Murder Means Never Having To Say You’re Sorry”
OUTSTANDING CINEMATOGRAPHY FOR A SINGLE-CAMERA SERIES (ONE HOUR)
Michael A. Price, ASC
OUTSTANDING SINGLE-CAMERA PICTURE EDITING FOR A COMEDY SERIES
Editor: Andrew Doerfer, ACE
Episode 110 – “Kill Me as if it Were the Last Time”
OUTSTANDING PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER HAIRSTYLING
Theraesa Rivers, Department Head Hairstylist
Valerie Jackson, Key Hairstylist
Suzanna Kontonickas,
Hairstylist
OUTSTANDING PERIOD AND/OR CHARACTER MAKEUP
Lana Horochowski, Department Head Makeup Artist
Maurine Burke, Key Makeup Artist
Lesa Neilson Duff, Makeup Artist
OUTSTANDING MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR A SERIES (ORIGINAL DRAMATIC SCORE)
Mateo Messina, Composer
Episode 110 – “Kill Me as if it Were the Last Time”
OUTSTANDING MUSIC SUPERVISION
Alexandra Patsavas, Music Supervisor
OUTSTANDING SOUND EDITING FOR A COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES (ONE HOUR)
Sound Supervisor: Robb Navrides.
Dialogue Editors: Naaman Haynes, Dave Hancock
Sound Effects Editors: Charley Stauber, Tim Cleveland
Music Editor: Jeff Kwong
Foley Artists: Jeff Gunn, Shane Bruce
OUTSTANDING SOUND MIXING FOR A COMEDY OR DRAMA SERIES (ONE HOUR)
Re-Recording Mixers: Frank Morrone, CAS
Colette Dahanne CAS
Sound Mixer: David Barr-Yaffe CAS
OUTSTANDING STUNT COORDINATION FOR A COMEDY SERIES OR VARIETY PROGRAM
Charlie Croughwell, Stunt Coordinator
“…To die for.”
– TV Insider
“…suspenseful, moving, and thoroughly enjoyable.”
– The A.V. Club
“Bitingly funny.”
– The New York Post
Lucy Liu
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
“Liu makes an eight-course meal (with wine pairings) of her character’s unselfconscious superficiality.”
– IndieWire
Ginnifer Goodwin
as Beth Ann Stanton
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
“Ginnifer Goodwin proves how good she really is.”
– The New York Post
Kirby Howell-Baptiste
as Taylor Harding
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
“Howell-Baptiste shows her range and dynamism as a leading lady.”
– USA Today
Jack Davenport
as Karl Grove
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Sam Jaeger
as Rob Stanton
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Reid Scott
as Eli Cohen
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
Alexandra Daddario
as Jade
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Sadie Calvano
as April
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Leo Howard
as Tommy
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
/ Episodes
S1 E1 | "Murder Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry"
Series premiere. One Pasadena, Calif. house serves as the focal point for three decades worth of marital strife. In 1963, Beth Ann’s life as a doting housewife is upended when she learns of her husband Rob’s infidelity. In 1984, socialite Simone is blindsided by her husband Karl’s devastating secret. In present day, high-powered lawyer Taylor has an open marriage with husband Eli.
Written by: Marc Cherry
Directed by: Marc Webb
S1 E2 | "I'd Like to Kill Ya, But I Just Washed My Hair"
A usually reserved Beth Ann attempts to spice up her marriage. Simone turns to Naomi’s son Tommy for solace after finding out Karl hasn’t been as good at covering his adulterous tracks as he let on. Eli checks an item off of his sexual bucket list, but his happiness is short lived when he realizes there’s more to Taylor and Jade’s relationship than he initially thought.
Written by: Austin Guzman
Directed by: Marc Webb
S1 E3 | "I Killed Everyone He Did, But Backwards and In High Heels"
Beth Ann comes up with a scheme to keep Rob away from April (Sadie Calvano) but ends up growing closer to her husband’s mistress in the process. Simone and Karl try to keep up appearances at a gala but cooler heads do not prevail when Tommy gets jealous. Taylor and Eli run into Jade’s former lovers, forcing Taylor to confront the true nature of her feelings. Katie Finneran guest stars.
Written by: Randi Mayem Singer
Directed by: David Grossman
S1 E4 | "You Had Me at Homicide"
Beth Ann takes a walk on the wild side with April, leading to an interesting evening at a dinner party with Rob’s boss. Tommy wants to put a label on his relationship with Simone but a visit from Simone’s daughter Amy threatens to derail everything. Life in the throuple gets rocky for Taylor, Jade and Eli when they get mixed up with Jade’s crazy ex-boyfriend. Li Jun Li guest stars.
Written by: Greg Malins
Directed by: Valerie Weiss
S1 E5 | "There's No Crying in Murder"
Beth Ann’s budding friendship with April leaves her feeling conflicted, just as she is beginning to win back Rob’s attention. Simone and Tommy get stuck in a precarious situation, leaving Simone to call on an unexpected source – Karl – for help. With Taylor out of town, Eli and Jade’s relationship enters new territory when she helps him with his script.
Written by: Jeff Strauss & Brendan Stephan
Directed by: David Grossman
S1 E6 | "Practically Lethal in Every Way"
Beth Ann and Rob throw a housewarming party to introduce themselves to the neighborhood, but something seems to be amiss with neighbors Mary and Ralph. Hijinks ensue and secrets come to light when Simone and Karl have dinner with Amy’s conservative future in-laws. Tensions rise in the throuple after Taylor begins to question the living arrangement and reveals a dark truth about Eli.
Written by: Joe Keenan
Directed by: David Warren
S1 E7 | "I Found Out What The Secret To Murder Is: Friends. Best Friends."
Beth Ann is elated when Rob ends his affair, but that feeling is short-lived when Beth Ann learns that everything is not as she thinks. While Simone and Karl work to find common ground in their relationship, conflict ensues as Naomi grows suspicious of Tommy’s erratic behavior. Eli, Taylor and Jade try to work out their issues by heading to a polyamory retreat but Eli’s relapse with addiction may derail everything.
Written by: Hannah Schneider
Directed by: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
S1 E8 | "Marriages Don't Break Up On Account Of Murder - It's Just A Symptom That Something Else Is Wrong"
Beth Ann recruits Sheila to help pull off her faux diagnosis, taking her already far-fetched plan another step too far. As Simone and Tommy arrange their European rendezvous, a revelation may foil their plans. Taylor reaches out to Jade in hopes of helping Eli battle addiction, but his new found riches have Jade only seeing green.
Written by: Alexa Junge
Directed by: Lucy Liu
S1 E9 | "I Was Just Wondering What Makes Dames Like You So Deadly"
As Beth Ann plots to remove April from Rob’s life for good, a surprising confrontation reveals a secret that will shock Beth Ann to her core. Meanwhile, Naomi is reeling with anger and will do anything to protect her son, even if it means destroying Simone and Karl’s reputation along the way. With some help, Taylor uncovers the dark truth about Jade’s past and orchestrates a meeting with Eli in hopes to join forces before it’s too late.
Written by: Mary Elizabeth Hamilton
Directed by: Dawn Wilkinson
S1 E10 | "Kill Me as if It Were the Last Time"
Season finale. Kill or be killed, that is the question. After learning the shocking truth about her daughter’s death, Beth Ann devises a plan for revenge that could alter the course of many lives. As Karl’s health worsens, Simone’s commitment to their relationship is tested. With Jade out of the picture, Taylor and Eli are focusing on their love story, and are hopeful the past is far behind them.
Written by: Marc Cherry & Curtis Kheel
Directed by: David Warren
Janie Bryant | Costume Designer
OUTSTANDING PERIOD COSTUMES
Watch The Trailer
Behind the Scenes
This Sordid Sixties Affair Has An Unexpected Twist
Bizarre Love Triangle In The Decadent 1980s
Building a House of Drama
There’s Trouble in Paradise for Taylor, Eli and Jade