Is Candy on Hulu based on a true story?

Crime drama enthusiasts, get ready for the new Hulu series, Candy. Jessica Biel takes on the role of a 1980 housewife who gets tangled up in a murder investigation. Is she innocent or guilty? There are two answers to that question. The streaming service recently shared the series trailer which gives us an idea of what to expect.

The trailer starts with charming and church-going southern woman Candy who is well-liked in her community. But the story takes a turn when she decides to have an affair with her friend Betty’s husband. Their town experiences an unexpectedly dark tragedy as Betty is found murdered. She was hit with an axe 41 times, and Candy is the prime suspect.

The cast of the series includes Jessica Biel as Candy Montgomery, Melanie Lynskey as Betty Gore, Timothy Simons as Candy’s husband Pat Montgomery, Pablo Schreiber as Betty’s husband Allan Gore, and Raúl Esparza as a lawyer working on Candy’s case.

Check out the official Hulu synopsis:

"Candy Montgomery is a 1980 housewife and mother who did everything right—good husband, two kids, nice house, even the careful planning and execution of transgressions—but when the pressure of conformity builds within her, her actions scream for just a bit of freedom. With deadly results."

The upcoming crime drama is a limited series with five episodes. The show will begin to stream May 9 on Hulu for a five-night event and conclude on May 13. I’m so excited, the show looks so good! Are you wondering if the show is based on real-life events? Here’s what we know!

Is Candy on Hulu based on a true story?

Yes, the new series is based on a true story. Betty Gore was killed on Friday, June 13, 1980 in Texas. She was struck 41 times with an axe, including 28 to her head and face. According to Decider, after Candy and Alan’s affair ended in 1980, she and her husband remained close to the Gores. The night before her murder, Betty’s daughter slept over at the Montgomerys. Candy drove over to their house on June 13 to pick up a bathing suit for their daughter’s swimming lesson.

Allan called neighbors that night when he couldn’t get a hold of Betty, and they found her body in the home’s utility room. During the trial, Candy said Betty confronted her about the affair and Betty came at her with an axe first. Her lawyers said she was acting in self-defense. As for the 41 hits, the lawyers said she suffered a “dissociative reaction” and a psychiatrist was brought in to confirm that, Decider repots. After eight days in court, the jury found her innocent and she was acquitted.

It’s very surprising that the jury found her innocent and accepted she did it all in self-defense. It may be because she had two young children at the time. But still, 41 times is extreme. I really enjoy stories based on real-life events, including these crime-filled ones. If you’re like me, then I think this is a show you need to check out!

Candy begins streaming May 9 on Hulu. The five-night event concludes May 13.