Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) was not in a good place when ABC’s “How to Get Away With Murder” Season 3 ended, but she is a pretty strong woman who refuses to let anything stand in her way.

When Season 4 opens, executive producer Pete Nowalk told Variety that Annalise will actually be in a much better place. “She’s definitely been beaten down, and we’re going to watch her rise from the ashes, literally, of last season,” he said.

“What’s exciting about the arc, and in watching Viola Davis act it, is there’s going to be more vulnerability in digging into what she really wants for her life. But at the same time, her public-facing persona has to be bad [expletive]. She still has to kick [expletive] in the courtroom. She still has to be ‘take no prisoners.’”

Even though Annalise has picked up the pieces of her life, Nowalk said it’s going to be pretty exhausting for her because “her whole life, she worked so hard to rise to this powerful position, and it’s all been gone.”

Nowalk also said that the season will open with a one or two-month time jump, but fans will still see how she puts her life back on track and take steps to redeem herself.

It also helps that a mysterious character, who will be played by Davis’ husband Julius Tennon, will be there to help support Annalise. “Julius is amazing, and he is in our premiere. He is on her side. It’s a really fun dynamic that they play, and it is surprising,” Nowalk teased.

Tennon has already appeared in several series on CBS, including “Laws of Chance” and “The Architect,” according to Deadline. Tennon also co-founded JuVee Productions with Davis, a company that produces economical and high-quality films that are diverse and character-driven. Through JuVee, Tennon has produced films such as “Custody” and “Lila & Eve.”

Tennon will be joining “NYPD Blue” alum Jimmy Smits in the next season of “How to Get Away with Murder.” The Hollywood Reporter said that Smit has booked a major recurring role and will be playing a prominent figure in the life of Annalise. His character will also have an integral role in the fourth season mystery.

“How to Get Away with Murder” will return for Season 4 on Sept. 28 at 10 p.m. EDT on ABC.

RELATED STORIES