The first season of the ABC American television drama series How to Get Away with Murder premiered on September 25, 2014, and concluded on February 26, 2015, with a total of 15 episodes.

Annalise takes on the case of soccer mom Paula Murphy (Ana Ortiz), who was originally caught having sex with a man in a park but is soon put on trial for murder.

Annalise takes on the case of an old friend, Marren Trudeau (Elizabeth Perkins), who is being accused of fraud and is insisting that she is innocent and being framed.

Annalise takes on the case of a teenager who is being charged with the murder of his abusive father, while Wes questions her on when she's going to give Lila's phone to the police.

Annalise finds out about how Bonnie got Rebecca's confession, and Laurel jeopardizes her career and risks going to jail when she tries to help with the case by informing the jury.

Rebecca is brought in for a "routine psych evaluation" to determine if she knew who Lila was having an affair with, but she runs out after finding that the wallpaper in Sam and Annalise's room is the same as in the picture.

Annalise finds out that she is finally able to retry someone who was put on death row more than twenty years ago, and she is now able to convince the Supreme Court of his innocence.

Michaela finds that she has an interview at a law firm, only to discover that it's her future in-laws who have called the meeting for a prenuptial agreement.

Annalise takes on the case of a professional woman and mother who apparently murdered her children's nanny whilst sleepwalking under the influence of her sleeping pills.

Annalise instead focuses on the case of Jackie Wilson, a woman whose husband has sexually abused her and the two young women in their basement.

The priest flip-flops on his pleas, but when the woman he loves is put on the stand, he decides to plead guilty to first-degree murder instead of manslaughter.

The episode ends with Rebecca coming home to find Wes, Connor, Michaela and Laurel, who ask her whether she killed Lila.

On August 19, 2013, ABC bought the original concept from Shondaland Productions, produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers.

[22] At the Television Critics Association Press Tour in July 2014, it was announced that How to Get Away with Murder would be a limited series with only 15 or 16 episodes per season.

Viola Davis plays the protagonist of the series, Professor Annalise Keating, a high-profile defense attorney, teaching a class at Middleton University.

Katie Findlay portrays Rebecca Sutter, Wes' mysterious neighbor (and later, girlfriend) who becomes a suspect in the murder of Lila Stangard.

Charlie Weber plays Frank Delfino, an employee of Annalise's firm who is not a lawyer but handles special duties requiring discretion.

Other recurring roles in the first season were Tom Verica who played Professor Sam Keating, Annalise's husband who had an affair with Lila Stangard and was later murdered by Wes.

Megan West portrayed Lila Stangard, a sorority girl who was murdered by Frank on Sam's orders after he found out she was pregnant.

[27] On February 25, 2014, it was announced that Shonda Rhimes had cast Viola Davis in the show's leading role of Professor Annalise Keating.

[36] On November 4, 2014, it was announced that Oscar winner Marcia Gay Harden was cast in the second half of the first season for a secret recurring role.

[37] On December 15, 2014, it was announced that Oscar nominee and Emmy winner Cicely Tyson would appear in an episode in the second half of the season.

The site's critical consensus reads, "How to Get Away with Murder isn't conceptually original, but it delivers thrills with melodramatic twists and a captivating lead."

Magnetic and intimidating, Davis creates an implacable surface beneath which shimmers all manner of fleet and startled emotions.

Desire and fear, certainty, self-doubt and resolve are conjured in an instant with the angle of a glance, the lowering of an eyelid and then released as if they were never there.

"[41] David Hinckle, from New York Daily News, said that the series does not serve up enough fun unlike Rhimes' other shows, Grey's Anatomy and Scandal.