Murder One

Murder One centers on Teddy Hoffman, a celebrated defense attorney in a top Los Angeles firm who thrives on the era's most sensational cases. After winning an infamous trial for Richard Cross, Hoffman is drawn into defending Neil Avedon, an adored young actor whose dazzling career is shadowed by serious drug and alcohol problems and who stands charged with a murder that mirrors Cross's acquittal. The show anchors itself in the pressure cooker of a season long courtroom battle, a format that lets public opinion, personal history, and legal strategy collide in real time. It looks at the toll this life takes on the people around him, the ethical lines lawyers walk, and the way fame magnifies every decision. The result is a taut portrait of power, money, and law colliding under the glare of a city that never sleeps.

Created by Steven Bochco with Channing Gibson and Charles H. Eglee, Murder One premiered in 1995 on ABC. The series centers on a single case per season and places the defense team at the heart of the action, rotating through witnesses, judges, and media pressures. The approach lets actors dive into legal philosophy and personal flaws, rather than relying on episodic cliffhangers.

Distinctive for its long form trial structure, the show reshaped expectations for courtroom drama by prioritizing character arcs, strategy, and moral ambiguity over quick resolutions. It attracted a strong ensemble cast and performances that drew attention beyond the usual procedural playbooks, helping push the genre toward denser, more serialized storytelling.

Critics praised the writing, pacing, and the way the series probes power, corruption, and the costs of defending a client under relentless public scrutiny. It uses the backdrop of celebrity culture to explore loyalty, reputation, and the ethical stakes lawyers face when justice and public image collide.

Awards: The show earned nominations at major ceremonies, underscoring its ambition, though it did not collect principal prizes. Its recognition reflected a bold experiment in televised courtroom drama and the strength of its cast.