Hulu’s Murdaugh: Housekeeper’s Attorney Praises Depiction
The Hulu true crime series “Murdaugh: Death in the Family” offers a scripted dramatization of the infamous Murdaugh family murders and financial crimes, centering on the conviction of former lawyer Alex Murdaugh for the 2021 murders of his wife, Maggie, and son, Paul. Since its October 15 premiere, the series has garnered attention, particularly for its depiction of individuals within the Murdaughs' daily lives, including their long-time housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield.
Gloria Satterfield's family attorney, Eric Bland, lauded the show's creators for their sensitive and accurate portrayal of his client. Bland took to Facebook to commend the series for depicting Gloria “in such a glorious light,” expressing his frustration with her often being described “simply as a housekeeper.” He emphasized that while housekeeping is virtuous work, Gloria was “so much more” to the Murdaughs, serving as a deeply trusted individual and an “absolute rock” for Paul, filling a significant void in his life. Bland highlighted Gloria's inherent goodness and warmth, qualities he sees reflected in her sons, Tony Satterfield and Brian Harriott, whom he describes as exceptionally kind and appreciative clients, as well as her devout Christian siblings.
While acknowledging that true crime dramatizations may involve “timeline modifications” or minor factual discrepancies, Bland urged viewers to focus on the overarching truth of Gloria's indispensable role. He advised against seeking “gotcha moments” for inaccuracies, instead encouraging audiences to accept the show's portrayal of how “vital Gloria was to her family as well as to the Murdaughs” as gospel. Bland also extended gratitude to Hulu for the accurate depiction of other clients, Sandy and Stephen Smith. The series, starring Jason Clarke as Alex Murdaugh and Patricia Arquette as Maggie, continues its run with new episodes leading up to the November 19 finale.
The depiction of the housekeeper's story on Hulu highlights the intersection of crime, media, and pop culture politics in today's society.
