Take a Look at the ‘Love & Death’ Cast vs. the IRL People They Play

I want (another) Candy. True crime fans, Marvel fans, Lily Rabe fans: unite! HBO Max is giving us a new iteration of the famous Candy Montgomery case following last year's Hulu series starring Jessica Biel. Love & Death, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Jesse Plemons, and Lily Rabe, comes from writer David E. Kelley (widely considered to be one of the greatest television writers and showrunners of all time, NBD). Kelley is the name behind Doogie Howser, Ally McBeal, Big Little Lies, Big Sky, and The Undoing.

If you've never heard of Candy Montgomery, be it Hulu's version or HBO's version, here's your crash course. In 1980, Candy Montgomery was accused of murdering her friend Betty Gore, who was struck more than 40 times with an axe. Prior to Betty's death, Candy and Betty's husband Allan Gore started an affair. Candy was arrested and stood trial, arguing she was acting in self-defense and alleging that Betty attacked her after learning of the affair. In October 1980, she was found not guilty, a verdict that remains hotly contested in the true crime community. What is unique about Love & Death is its confidence. Based on the book Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs, this adaptation makes its message clear: This is a true story.

The first episode of Love & Death drops on HBO Max on April 27. The first three episodes will be available right away, with new episodes dropping weekly until May 25. Before you queue up episode 1 though, let's meet the names and faces at play here.

Elizabeth Olsen as Candy Montgomery

In a rare departure from the Marvel Cinematic Universe where the actress has been working since 2018, Elizabeth Olsen is taking Candy Montgomery for a spin. Following Jessica Biel's version of Candy last year, Elizabeth gives us an antagonist who is, if nothing else, bored (to death) and ready to detonate a bomb in her own life.

Candy Montgomery in 1980

In 1977, Candy Montgomery met Betty and Allan Gore at church in Collin County, Texas. The 30-year-old mother of two soon began an affair with Allan, kicking off a downward spiral ending in the brutal murder of Betty Gore, who was struck with an axe more than 40 times. In October of 1980, Candy Montgomery stood for trial and was ultimately found not guilty.

Lily Rabe and Jesse Plemons as Betty and Allan Gore

No stranger to murder (she is an American Horror Story alum, after all), Lily has found herself under the axe. She plays Betty Gore, who was murdered in 1980. Beyond Love & Death, Lily is currently stealing screens as Meg on Apple TV+'s dark comedy, Shrinking.

Jesse Plemons plays Allan Gore, one half of the extramarital affair that led to the death of Betty. From his early beginnings as Landry Clark in Friday Night Lights, Jesse has risen to fame as one of the most talented working character actors in the game. He's the proud winner of two Emmy nominations, one for Fargo and the other for Black Mirror, as well as an Oscar nom for his role in The Power of the Dog.

Betty and Allan Gore

College sweethearts Betty and Allan Gore married in 1970. The couple had two daughters before moving to Wylie, Texas, where their romance would end in bloodshed. Betty, a middle school teacher, met her best friend and eventual betrayer Candy Montgomery at church in Collin County, Texas in 1977. Allan and Candy connected at a church sponsored volleyball game, beginning their affair in 1978. In a 1984 Texas Monthly profile, Allan was described as "a small, plain man with horn-rim glasses and puffy cheeks and, even at a young age, signs of a receding hairline." Brutal.

Patrick Fugit at Pat Montgomery

You may recognize this face from the absolutely biblical film Almost Famous; Patrick rose to fame as the meek young lead of the film, William Miller. Today, he's returning to our screens as Pat Montgomery, the husband of accused killer Candy Montgomery.

Pat Montgomery in 1980

Pat and Candy Montgomery's love story began in the office, Pat an electrical engineer and Candy a secretary. The pair married in the early 1970s and moved to Wylie, Texas in 1977.

You Might Also Like

• Here’s What NOT to Wear to a Wedding

• Meet the Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You’ll Ever Try