Bonnie Winterbottom
Bonnie Winterbottom | |
---|---|
How to Get Away with Murder character | |
![]() Liza Weil as Bonnie Winterbottom on the second season's promotional shooting. | |
First appearance | "Pilot" (1.01) |
Created by | Peter Nowalk |
Portrayed by | Liza Weil |
In-universe information | |
Gender | Female |
Title | Bonnie Winterbottom, Esq. |
Occupation | Associate attorney |
Nationality | American |
Status | Alive |
Bonnie Winterbottom is a fictional character created in 2014 by Peter Nowalk. She was developed for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) legal drama mystery television series How to Get Away with Murder. She is portrayed by Liza Weil and is one of the series' main characters. Winterbottom is a Philadelphia-based associate attorney and works for Annalise Keating's firm.
Casting
On February 27, 2014, it was announced that Shonda Rhimes had cast Liza Weil in the role of Bonnie Winterbottom.[1]
Development
Characterization and introduction
"I’ve always played people who are considerably younger, so it’s nice to be playing a grown-up. Bonnie is a grown-up. She’s a serious lady, man. Bonnie is very much navigating and delegating to the students. The students are the only people Bonnie and Frank can assert their power over and I think they’re enjoying that. Bonnie presents as more warm, but she does have an edge. I can relate to her."
— Actress Liza Weil on Bonnie's personality.[2]
Early in the series, Bonnie was portrayed as a sweet and responsible adult.[3] However, her personal life collapsed and Bonnie found herself full of problems. She was pressed by Annalise, who wanted her to work more and more, and also involved in a fateful relationship with Asher Millstone. Bonnie's portrayer, Liza Weil, said that the character is a grown-up woman. Weil also said Bonnie's her first role as a "serious lady."[2] Bonnie had a terrifying past related to her father, who sexually abused her when she was still a girl.[4]
In an interview with Variety, series creator, Peter Nowalk, commented on the future of Bonnie for the third season. "Bonnie is going to have to chose sides basically. Bonnie is like, Annalise, we can forgive Frank, it was Sam's fault! She's trying to be the peacemaker," he said, regarding the second season's finale.[5]
Relationships
Bonnie has been romantically linked with Asher Millstone, one of the Annalise Keating's associates. They had sex for the first time after Bonnie had won her first case in court.[6]
Rivalries and friendships
Bonnie's relationship with Frank Delfino is special; they both help with their problems and are always available to each other. When Bonnie discovers that Frank killed Lila, she lied to Annalise and covered up the whole story.[7] Bonnie has a love-hate friendship with Annalise Keating. In the second season, it is revealed that Bonnie killed Rebecca Sutter in order to protect Annalise.[8] Later, when Bonnie discovered that Annalise showed her past to Asher, she said that she wanted Annalise dead.[9] However, when Annalise was shot, Bonnie helped her in many ways.[10] Since then, Bonnie is still the right-hand woman to Annalise and her closest associate.
References
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 27, 2014). "Liza Weil Cast In ABC Pilot 'How To Get Away', Stephen Hagan In CW's 'Identity'". Deadline. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
- ^ a b Orley, Emily (September 17, 2014). "The Actress Behind Paris Geller Is All Grown Up". BuzzFeed. Retrieved May 21, 2016.
- ^ Writer: Nowalk, Peter. Director: Offer, Michael (September 25, 2014). "Pilot". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Writer: Thompson, Sarah L.. Director: Cragg, Stephen (October 22, 2015). "Meet Bonnie". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 2. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ "'How To Get Away With Murder': Viola Davis Shows Love For Castmate Liza Weil Before Season 3". Fashion & Style. June 6, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
- ^ Writer: Swafford, Erika Green and Stockstill, Doug. Director: Listo, Mike (February 19, 2015). "Mama's Here Now". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 1. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Writer: Lee, J.C.; Harrison, Erika. Director: Williams, Stephen (March 10, 2016). "There's My Baby". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 2. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Writer: Nowalk, Peter. Director: D'Elia, Bill (September 24, 2015). "It's Time to Move On". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 2. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Writer: Leonard, Warren Hsu. Director: Bray, Kevin (November 5, 2015). "I Want You to Die". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 2. American Broadcasting Company.
- ^ Writer: Lee, J. C.. Director: Innes, Laura (February 11, 2016). "What Happened to You, Annalise?". How to Get Away with Murder. Season 2. American Broadcasting Company.