ABC has given a Season 5 pickup to its legal thriller drama How to Get Away With Murder. The renewal of the Shondaland drama was fully expected.

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After the end of Scandal, HTGAWM is the second longest-running Shondaland series, and it’s well received, earning star Viola Davis top awards including an Emmy. Additionally, while a modest Live+Same Day performer (average 0.94 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 3.70 million viewers in Season 4, down by 28% and by 20%, respectively, compared to Season 3), it continues to be a big DVR gainer. Its Live+7 tally for Season 4 was 6.4 million viewers and a 2.0 in 18-49, ranking as ABC’s third highest-rated drama in the demo behind Grey’s Anatomy and The Good Doctor.

Starring Davis, Billy Brown, Jack Falahee, Aja Naomi King, Matt McGorry, Conrad Ricamora, Karla Souza, Charlie Weber and Liza Weil, How To Get Away With Murder revolves around the world of Middleton University Professor Annalise Keating (Davis). Murder, deception, fear and guilt bind her to her longtime associates and students. As the group struggles to move on following the death of one of their own, their past continues to haunt them.

How To Get Away With Murder is created and executive produced by Pete Nowalk, who also serves as showrunner.