Brittany Snow didn’t take her latest role lightly. The 39-year-old actress, known for Pitch Perfect and Hairspray, fully immersed herself in the life and work of journalist Mandy Matney before portraying her in Hulu’s new true crime series, Murdaugh: Death in the Family.
In an interview with People published on November 5, Snow shared that she “did her research” thoroughly, even spending hours talking directly to Matney. “At first, I was talking to her a lot about the character and about how I wanted to encapsulate her and her essence,” Snow explained. “Then, after a while, I just wanted to get down to the nitty-gritty and ask her actual case questions.”
Snow admitted she hoped Matney might accidentally let some insider details slip. “She did sometimes,” the actress joked. “It was really fun to get to know her.”
Inside the True Crime Story That Shocked America
Hulu’s Murdaugh: Death in the Family explores the chilling true story of Alex Murdaugh, a once-powerful South Carolina lawyer whose double life was exposed after he murdered his wife, Maggie Murdaugh, and their son, Paul Murdaugh, in 2021.
The shocking case not only revealed Murdaugh’s crimes but also uncovered a web of financial fraud, corruption, and cover-ups that rocked the legal community and captivated the nation.
In both real life and the show, Mandy Matney became a crucial voice in unraveling the truth. She launched the Murdaugh Murders Podcast (MMP), which investigated the case as it was unfolding, earning national attention for its fearless reporting.
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Why Brittany Snow Wanted This Role
When the opportunity came to play Matney, Snow said there was “no doubt” in her mind that she wanted to be part of the series.
“I’m such a fan of true crime, but more than that, I’m such a fan of Mandy and her reporting,” Snow shared. “I was very well aware of her podcast, and I felt like this was an important part to play within a very dark story. This person was spearheading justice and the truth when a lot of corruption was going on.”
She added that portraying someone who stood for truth and accountability was inspiring. “As an actress, you don’t always get to play those types of people that are standing up for what’s right.”
Bringing Mandy Matney to Life — Without Imitation
Despite portraying a real person, Snow was determined not to mimic Matney. Instead, she wanted to capture her spirit.
“From the very beginning, I was clear that I was never going to do an imitation of her,” Snow said. “That would be doing a disservice to her, to me, and to my performance.”
Instead, Snow focused on embodying Matney’s drive and conviction. “What I wanted to make sure I was doing was encapsulating sort of an essence of her,” she continued. “I felt like there were certain mannerisms I wanted to pay homage to in the best way that I could. I think she was proud of the performance.”
A Stellar Cast and a Powerful Story
Murdaugh: Death in the Family features an impressive ensemble cast that includes Jason Clarke, Patricia Arquette, J. Smith-Cameron, and Johnny Berchtold, who portray members of the infamous Murdaugh family.
The show delves deep into the Murdaughs’ dark history — exploring power, privilege, and the devastating consequences of corruption. Through Matney’s eyes, viewers experience the investigation that challenged a powerful dynasty and exposed the cracks in a system long dominated by influence and deceit.
For Snow, telling that story felt both important and personal. “This role reminded me why I fell in love with acting,” she said. “It’s about truth, empathy, and understanding people — even in the darkest situations.”
A True Crime Story That Still Resonates
The real-life Murdaugh case continues to fascinate the public, and Hulu’s dramatization promises to bring new insight into how the story unfolded. Thanks to Mandy Matney’s fearless journalism — and Brittany Snow’s committed portrayal — audiences will get to see how one woman’s dedication to justice helped shed light on one of America’s most shocking modern crimes.
With Snow’s performance anchoring the emotional core of Murdaugh: Death in the Family, the series not only revisits a tragic chapter in U.S. crime history but also celebrates the power of investigative journalism in seeking truth amid corruption.
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