Forty years after Candy Montgomery killed her friend Betty Gore with an axe, the infamous true-crime story will be revisited in yet another limited series. “Love & Death” stars Elizabeth Olsen as the Texas housewife in a story inspired by John Bloom and Jim Atkinson’s 1984 book titled “Evidence of Love: A True Story of Passion and Death in the Suburbs,” as well as a collection of articles from Texas Monthly (“Love & Death in Silicon Prairie, Part I & II”).
Though specific plot details about “Love & Death” are scarce, the series is based on the events that led to Gore’s untimely death, which resulted in Montgomery’s arrest and a trial that later acquitted her of the murder. On Oct. 14, 2021, HBO Max released first-look photos of Olsen transformed into Montgomery, though a trailer has yet to be released. The actor’s portrayal comes just after Jessica Biel took on the same role in “Candy,” which premiered on May 9.
In addition to Olsen, “Love & Death” also stars folks like Jesse Plemons, Tom Pelphrey, and Lily Rabe. The limited series is expected to arrive sometime next year. Read ahead for everything else we know about “Love & Death.”
HBO
"Love & Death" Plot
HBO Max’s logline for the series simply states that “Love & Death” follows “two church going couples enjoying small town family life in Texas, until somebody picks up an axe.” However, the plot is much more complex than that, as the unsettling true story the series is based on involves betrayal, an affair, and a gruesome murder.
Per true events, Candy Montgomery and Betty Gore formed a friendship before things turned sour after the former developed feelings for Betty’s husband, Allan. The two began an affair that lasted for months before it was eventually called off. But on June 13, 1980, while Allan was out of town on a business trip, his wife was stabbed in her home with an axe 41 times and Montgomery became the prime suspect. Montgomery was eventually arrested for the crime and tried in court, but a jury later found her not guilty. After the trial, she reportedly relocated to Georgia and became certified in family counselling, per The Dallas Morning News.
HBO
"Love & Death" Cast
Elizabeth Olsen leads the “Love & Death” cast with her portrayal of Candy Montgomery. Jesse Plemons plays Allan Gore and Lily Rabe portrays Betty Gore. Patrick Fugit, Keir Gilchrist, Elizabeth Marvel, Tom Pelphrey, and Krysten Ritter also star in the series.
YouTube user HBO Max
"Love & Death" Release Date
A release date for the limited series is yet to be announced but teased that it’s expected to arrive sometime in 2023. It was originally set to debut this year.
