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Annalise Keating

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Annalise Keating
How to Get Away with Murder character
Viola Davis as Annalise in the latter half of the first season.
First appearance"Pilot" (1.01)
September 25, 2014
Last appearance"Stay" (6.15)
May 14, 2020
Created byPeter Nowalk
Portrayed byViola Davis
In-universe information
TitleProfessor Annalise Keating, Esq.
OccupationDefense attorney
Professor
Family
SpouseSam Keating
Significant otherSolomon Vick
Nate Lahey
Eve Rothlo
Emmett Crawford
Robert Hsieh
Tegan Price
ChildrenSam Keating Jr. (son; deceased)
Relatives
  • Clyde Harkness (uncle; deceased)
  • Lynn (aunt)
  • Josephine (aunt)
  • Kenya (cousin)
  • Jericho (first cousin once removed)
  • Lavinia (first cousin once removed)
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Tennessee
Harvard Law School

Annalise Keating, Esq. (née Anna-Mae Harkness), is a fictional character in the legal drama thriller series How to Get Away with Murder. The character was created and developed by Peter Nowalk and portrayed by American actress Viola Davis throughout the series' run. Annalise is introduced as a complex, high-profile criminal defense attorney and law professor at the fictional Middleton University, known for her social prestige and navigation of university politics.[1]

The main narrative begins when Annalise selects five of her students to assist with cases at her firm, drawing them into a series of interconnected murders. Throughout the series, Annalise serves as a protective mentor to her students while balancing the demands of her professional career, personal struggles, and public scrutiny.

Annalise has been recognized as a groundbreaking character in television history, praised for advancing the representation of African-American women and LGBTQ+ individuals in mainstream media. Davis’s portrayal earned critical acclaim, culminating in her becoming the first African-American woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015. The character's complexity, vulnerability, and professional strength have been cited as redefining portrayals of women in legal dramas.

Characterization

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On February 25, 2014, it was announced that Viola Davis had been cast in the leading role of Professor Annalise Keating.[2] Annalise is introduced as a self-sufficient and highly respected criminal defense attorney and law professor, admired for her professional acumen and commanding presence.[3] Over the course of the series, the character undergoes significant emotional changes, with her struggles with trauma and alcohol addiction becoming more pronounced as she becomes increasingly entangled in criminal activity alongside her associates.[4]

Storylines

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Background

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Annalise was born Anna Mae Harkness, the daughter of Ophelia and Mac, and the sister of Celestine and Thelonious. Her father was absent during much of her life. As a child, she was sexually abused by her uncle Clyde, who was living with them. Ophelia saw Clyde leaving her room and realized what had happened, which led her to take her children away and burn down the house with Clyde inside.[5] At law school, Annalise started a relationship with Eve Rothlo, but they broke up after Annalise fell in love with Sam Keating, who was married and left his wife to marry Annalise.[6][7]

Season 1

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This season is set chronologically before and after the murder of Sam Keating. In flashbacks, Annalise is introduced as a criminal defense teacher at Middleton University who chooses students Laurel Castillo, Michaela Pratt, Connor Walsh, Asher Millstone, and Wes Gibbins to work exclusively in her law firm, where she is assisted by associates Frank Delfino and Bonnie Winterbottom.[8] The body of Lila Stangard, a student who had been missing for months, is found and eventually it is revealed that Annalise's husband Sam was having an affair with Lila before she died. Lila's best friend Rebecca Sutter gets romantically involved with Gibbins while the local police department is investigating both Sutter and Lila's ex-boyfriend Griffin O'Reilly. When Sam starts suspecting that Rebecca is aware of his affair with Lila, he becomes violent towards her and attacks her one night when she tries to transfer his laptop data to a flash drive. Gibbins, Walsh, Pratt and Castillo appear to help Rebecca and during the showdown Michaela pushes Sam over the banister and onto the floor below. Sam is presumed dead, and the five ponder their next move, only to have Sam leap up and attack Rebecca. Wes clobbers Sam on the head with a trophy, killing him. The five burn his body in the woods under Annalise's complicity, who is aware of the murder and helps them to build up an alibi.[9]

In flash-forwards, Annalise deals with the police investigating Sam's whereabouts, which Annalise makes look connected to Lila's death by making their affair public.[10] Sam's sister Hannah Keating arrives in town searching for the truth and accusing Annalise of lying.[11] The remains of Sam are found and Annalise incriminates her lover Nate Lahey as a way to avoid her student's arrest.[12] However, she tries to help him go free by offering him a number of a fellow lawyer. She calls her mother to counsel her throughout this moment, though they have multiple arguments.[5] One night, Wes calls her frightened and asks her to go to his apartment. There, she finds him and the others and learns that they strapped Rebecca with tape and locked her in the bathroom.[13] Subsequently, the group takes Rebecca to the Keatings' household's basement, where they keep her while trying to build a case against her, framing her of killing Lila, a theory that they start believing when multiples proofs show up. When they decide to let her go after not finding anything concrete, Rebecca is gone. Annalise blames Wes for her whereabouts, whilst in fact she and Frank hid the body of Rebecca, who was killed by someone unknown to them.[14]

Season 2

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Main article: How to Get Away with Murder (season 2)

The first nine episodes focus on Annalise's case of Caleb and Catherine Hapstall and their alleged involvement in the death of their adoptive parents. The flash-forwards show Annalise getting shot in the stomach at Hapstall's mansion. The second part of the season focuses on Wes' investigation around his mother's suicide ten years prior, and it gets revealed from flashbacks how Annalise was involved with Wes' mother's suicide, as Wes' mother gets pressured to testify in Annalise's case against the Mahoney family. The season ends with Annalise finding that Frank was responsible for her being in a car accident and losing her baby.

Season 3

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Main article: How to Get Away with Murder (season 3)

This season contains flash-forwards of Annalise’s house burning down, with an unknown male having died inside the house at the time of the fire. Annalise appears devastated by the death of the unknown male, sobbing and threatening the police to dare arrest her for burning down her own house, which they subsequently do.

In the main timeline, Annalise's position at the university is threatened after an unknown person targets her with a series of flyers identifying her as a killer. She admits to the university that she is struggling with alcoholism. Frank has also gone missing with Annalise and Nate trying to find him, while the murder of Wallace Mahoney is still under investigation. In the mid-season finale, Annalise is arrested after Wes' corpse is retrieved from her burning house. However, Nate discovers that Wes was already dead before the fire started.

The second part of the season focuses on the investigation about Wes' death, and the identity of his murderer. Annalise, after being arrested, is in jail, denied bail, depressed and unwilling to use the communal toilet in her cell.

Season 6

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In flash-forwards, Annalise is shown to be dead under unknown circumstances with a funeral being held in her honor. In the present, Annalise has to deal with an FBI investigation and ultimately charges of being responsible for the deaths of Sam Keating, Ronald Miller, Asher Millstone, Rebecca Sutter, ADA Emily Sinclair, and Caleb Hapstall. With the FBI pressuring the Keating 3 and faced with her own demons, Annalise is left reevaluating her choices in life; ultimately, Annalise is exonerated after an impassioned closing argument in which Annalise confesses the crimes she has committed and opens herself up to the world for the first time. Minutes later, Annalise loses both Frank and Bonnie after they are killed in a shootout instigated by Frank when he killed the corrupt governor who set up Annalise and murdered Nate's father.

It is subsequently revealed that the flash-forwards to Annalise's funeral take place many years into the future after Annalise has lived a long life alongside Eve. Amongst those in attendance are Eve, Laurel, Connor, Oliver, and Christopher Castillo, Wes and Laurel's son. After Annalise's funeral, Christopher, who was mentored by Annalise throughout his life, becomes the professor of her old law class which he names How to Get Away With Murder in Annalise's honor. As Christopher starts his first class, he sees Annalise smiling at him for a brief moment amongst the students before she vanishes.

Reception

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Year Award Category Result Ref.
2015 BET Awards 2015 Best Actress Nominated [15]
5th Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [16]
GALECA Award TV Performance of the Year – Actress Nominated [17]
72nd Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama Nominated [18]
46th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Won [19]
OFTA Television Award Best Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [20]
41st People's Choice Awards Favorite Actress In A New TV Series Won [21]
67th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Won [22]
21st Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series Won [23]
2016 21st Critics' Choice Awards Best Actress in a Drama Series Won [24]
BET Awards 2016 Best Actress Won
Gold Derby Awards Best Drama Actress Nominated
73rd Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Television Series – Drama Nominated [25]
47th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [26]
42nd People's Choice Awards Favorite Dramatic TV Actress Nominated [27]
69th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [28]
2017 48th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [29]
69th Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [30]
2018 49th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [31]
2019 BET Awards 2019 Best Actress Nominated
2019 50th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated
71st Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [32]
2020 Black Reel Awards of 2020 Outstanding Actress, Drama Series Nominated [33]
51st NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [34]
2021 BET Awards 2021 Best Actress Nominated [35]
52nd NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series Won [36]

Cultural Impact

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Annalise Keating has been recognized as a groundbreaking character in television history, noted for her complexity and her role in advancing representation of underrepresented groups in media. As a high-profile African-American criminal defense attorney and law professor, her portrayal marked a significant moment for diversity and inclusion on mainstream television. Viola Davis’ performance earned widespread acclaim and led her to become the first African-American woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2015.[37]

The character’s bisexuality contributed to broader LGBTQ+ representation in television, depicting relationships with both men and women in a nuanced manner. Her romantic history, including her relationship with Eve Rothlo (portrayed by Famke Janssen), was integrated into the narrative without reducing her character to her sexuality, reflecting evolving standards of inclusivity in television storytelling.[38]

Annalise also redefined portrayals of legal professionals in popular culture by presenting a blend of professional competence and personal vulnerability. Her experiences with trauma, addiction, and moral ambiguity offered a multidimensional character who challenged traditional depictions of strength and leadership.[39]

The character has additionally been interpreted as a feminist figure, representing a resilient woman navigating systemic barriers and personal adversities. Annalise’s ability to command authority and excel within male-dominated environments has been cited as an empowering portrayal for viewers.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "Viola Davis as Annalise Keating". ABC. The Walt Disney Company. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  2. ^ Abrams, Natalie (February 25, 2014). "Viola Davis Lands Lead in ABC Pilot How to Get Away With Murder". Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  3. ^ Kumari Upadhyaya, Kayla (September 25, 2014). "How To Get Away With Murder: "Pilot"". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  4. ^ Kumari Upadhyaya, Kayla (October 23, 2015). "A new lie has consequences for everyone on How To Get Away With Murder". The A.V. Club. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "Mama's Here Now". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. Episode 13. February 19, 2015. ABC.
  6. ^ "It's Time to Move On". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 2. Episode 1. September 24, 2015. ABC.
  7. ^ "Don't Tell Annalise". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 3. Episode 4. October 13, 2016. ABC.
  8. ^ "Pilot". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. Episode 1. September 25, 2014. ABC.
  9. ^ "Kill Me, Kill Me, Kill Me". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. Episode 9. November 20, 2014. ABC.
  10. ^ "Hello Raskolnikov". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. Episode 10. January 29, 2015. ABC.
  11. ^ "Best Christmas Ever". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. Episode 11. February 5, 2015. ABC.
  12. ^ "She's a Murderer". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. Episode 12. February 12, 2015. ABC.
  13. ^ "The Night Lila Died". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. Episode 14. February 26, 2015. ABC.
  14. ^ "It's All My Fault". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. Episode 15. February 26, 2015. ABC.
  15. ^ Staff, Variety (May 18, 2015). "Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj Lead 2015 BET Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  16. ^ "Critics' Choice Television Awards Nominations 2015: Full List – Deadline". web.archive.org. May 24, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  17. ^ Banks, Alicia (January 12, 2015). "Dorian Awards: 'Birdman' and 'Transparent' Lead Nominations for Gay and Lesbian Critics (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  18. ^ "Dotdash Meredith - America's Largest Digital & Print Publisher". www.dotdashmeredith.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  19. ^ Staff, Variety (December 9, 2014). "'Get On Up,' 'Selma,' 'Dear White People' Score NAACP Image Award Nominations (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  20. ^ "Online Film & Television Association". web.archive.org. August 26, 2016. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  21. ^ Moraski, Lauren (November 4, 2014). "People's Choice Awards 2015 hosts, nominees announced - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  22. ^ "Emmy Awards 2015: Winners complete list". CNN. September 21, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  23. ^ Lewis, Hilary (September 12, 2015). "SAG Awards: 'Game of Thrones', 'Homeland', 'House of Cards' Lead Noms; 'Empire', 'Inside Amy Schumer' Shut Out; 'Mr. Robot's' Rami Malek Sneaks In". TVLine. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
  24. ^ "Critics' Choice Awards | Critics' Choice Television Awards". web.archive.org. June 2, 2012. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  25. ^ Staff, Los Angeles Times (January 11, 2016). "Golden Globes 2016: Complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  26. ^ Slezak, Michael (December 8, 2015). "ABC's 'TGIT,' Empire and black-ish Lead NAACP Image Award Nominations". TVLine. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  27. ^ Swift, Andy (November 3, 2015). "People's Choice Awards 2016: Empire, Pretty Little Liars Among TV Nominees". TVLine. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  28. ^ Staff, T. H. R. (July 14, 2016). "Emmys 2016: The Full List of Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  29. ^ "Beyoncé Leads the Pack of 2017 NAACP Image Awards Nominees". EW.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  30. ^ Staff, Variety (July 13, 2017). "Emmys 2017: Full List of Nominations". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  31. ^ "NAACP | Nominees Announced for 49th NAACP Image Awards". web.archive.org. December 1, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  32. ^ Staff, Variety (July 16, 2019). "Emmys 2019: List of Nominations". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  33. ^ "Black Reel Awards | Watchmen & Insecure Pace the Black Reel Awards for TV Nominations". web.archive.org. July 4, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  34. ^ "Nominees Announced for 51st NAACP Image Awards | NAACP". naacp.org. January 9, 2020. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  35. ^ "BET Awards 2021: See who won". CNN. June 28, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  36. ^ Bosselman, Haley (March 28, 2021). "NAACP Image Awards 2021: The Complete Televised Winners List". Variety. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  37. ^ "Viola Davis Makes Emmy History". CNN. September 21, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  38. ^ "How to Get Away With Murder's Legacy for LGBTQ+ Representation". Entertainment Weekly. October 24, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  39. ^ "45 Groundbreaking Women Who Changed the World of Television". Business Insider. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  40. ^ "Annalise Keating as a Feminist Icon". Variety. October 18, 2015. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
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