Here’s every suspect in the murder of Erin McMenamin on HBO’s Mare of Easttown, based on the developments offered so far. The limited series is set in the suburbs of Philadelphia, revolving around a detective named Mare Sheehan (Kate Winslet). Though she’s seen as a bit of a local hero, as the star of a high-school basketball championship game 25 years ago, Mare is often trying to keep her life from unraveling before her eyes. While dealing with a custody battle over her grandson, and the pain of losing a son to suicide, Mare is also tasked with solving two seemingly unrelated cases.
Written by Brad Ingelsby, with Craig Zobel directing, Mare of Easttown’s first episode quickly reveals that the title character has been dealing with the disappearance of local teen Katie Bailey. That particular case has gone cold. And, by the end of the episode, Mare has her hands full with the murder of Erin (played by Cailee Spaeny). Facing public pressure, due to the perception that Mare has fumbled the handling of Katie’s disappearance, the county sends in Det. Colin Zabel (Evan Peters) to help figure out who killed Erin. But, unlike what appears to have happened with Katie, there are no shortages of suspects when it comes to Erin’s murder.
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The first episode offers a glimpse into Erin’s life, just before she’s murdered, and a portrait emerges that’s far from perfect. A teenage mom to a one-year-old boy with health problems, and no money to pay for the necessary treatment, Erin has a volatile relationship with her quick-tempered dad. Her interactions with ex-boyfriend Dylan (Jack Mulhern) are also fraught. Still, even considering those turbulent dynamics and potentially relevant clues, Mare of Easttown has already hinted at several other potential culprits. Here’s a closer look at each one, both in terms of what the show has revealed but also taking into account whether the suspect is merely a red herring.
Deacon Mark Burton
Burton (James McArdle) becomes a person of interest, as far are viewers are concerned, in episode 2 when it’s revealed that Erin used to attend Burton’s youth group. Unlike the revelation about Frank, which serves as a cliffhanger, the introduction of Burton occurs in a quick scene and it’s relatively underplayed in a way that could be significant later on. It’s true that Burton’s involvement could prove to be innocuous, but it is - unfortunately - the case that some men of faith have committed horrific crimes against children. In a similar fashion to the recent The Devil All the Time, which starred Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, Mare of Easttown could be setting up a villain that hides behind his pristine public image and stature in order to exploit the most vulnerable people in society.
Mare of Easttown‘s third episode only adds to the cloud of suspicion around Burton. Mare and Colin discover that Erin called Burton just before her death. When they question him, Burton admits to spending alone time with Erin and attempting to help her through her troubles. Still, he behaves like a person covering his tracks. In one scene, during episode 3, he hides from further questioning. In another, it’s revealed that he’s recently transferred from another parish. Taken together with the fact that he’s shown throwing a bike into a river, Burton is looking pretty guilty.
Frank Sheehan
Frank (David Denman) is Mare’s ex-husband. They married when they were just 20 years old, splitting up thereafter. Although he’s presented as the affable local high school teacher, Frank seems a little too invested in Erin’s case. At the end of episode 2, it’s revealed that Dylan isn’t actually the father of Erin’s baby. Even though Jess (Ruby Cruz) isn’t who the real father is, she points the finger at Frank. Erin was in one of Frank’s classes. This bit of information is hardly enough to indict Frank on its own, albeit he does seem quick to suggest that Mare should look into Erin’s father. Could he be trying to blame someone else for the crime he committed?
Given that the reveal is only a guess on the part of Erin’s best friend, not to mention that it serves as the cliffhanger for episode 2 of a seven-part series, it’s unlikely that Frank murdered Erin. In episode 3, he agrees to take a paternity test and vehemently denies any inappropriate relationship with Erin. But, still, he might be hiding a secret or two.
Siobhan Sheehan
Siobhan (Angourie Rice) is Mare’s adult daughter. She’s one of the last people to see Erin alive, having saved the victim from an ambush and assault. In episode 2, in a somewhat tense scene, Siobhan assures Mare that she was only trying to help. Erin said nothing in response to Siobhan’s help, walking off into the woods in silence. There’s no indication, based on what viewers see, that there’s a prior relationship between the two characters. Still, there’s a chance that there’s more the series hasn’t unveiled.
One possible scenario is that Siobhan accidentally killed Erin, upon discovering that Frank was the father of Erin’s baby. Siobhan could have felt protective over Frank, since she holds her father in high esteem, and the truth might have unsettled her. However, it’s worth noting that this direction might be too dark for Mare of Easttown. Mare already lost her son to suicide, and she has a strained relationship with Siobhan as it is. Having the main character’s daughter turn out to be a murder could be too melodramatic for a show that has maintained a sense of humor. Besides, episode 3 of the series is more focused on Siobhan’s love life than any connection to Erin.
Richard Ryan
Richard (Guy Pearce) is a visiting creative writing professor who won the National Book Award 25 years ago for a novel he wrote. He’s new to town, he’s charming, and Mare of Easttown quickly reunites Mildred Pierce co-stars Winslet and Pearce by having their characters engage in a bit of an uneasy flirtation. It’s probable that there’s more to Richard than meets the eye. Perhaps he’s collecting information on Mare’s town for his next book. While that’s pretty sketchy behavior in its own right, nothing connects Richard to Erin’s murder just yet.
Kenny McMenamin
Erin’s quick-tempered father, Kenny (Patrick Murney) was hardly the greatest parental figure. In the first episode of Mare of Easttown, he snaps at Erin because the food she serves is too hot. He then yells at her for having to spend money on her newborn baby. Nonetheless, in episode 2, he seems genuinely shattered when he learns of Erin’s death. More to the point, he seems convinced that Dylan is the one who killed Erin. He even shoots Dylan, twice, out in the woods. While there’s a slim chance that Kenny could be implicated in Erin’s case, he should probably be more worried about trying to kill Dylan.
Dylan & Brianna
By all accounts, these two should be prime suspects in Erin’s murder. In the show at least, they have been. Angry that Erin was still texting with Dylan, Brianna (Mackenzie Lansing) lured Erin into a trap and assaulted her just before her death. With Dylan’s help, she attacked Erin and gave her a concussion. In episode 2, Brianna is arrested when a video of the attack is uncovered. Dylan, prior to being shot by Kenny, is likewise questioned by Mare. Still, in spite of this, and despite their outward hostility to Erin, Mare of Easttown seems to be signaling that Dylan and Brianna are just two teens that are in over their heads. In episode 2, this is made plain when one character explains that Brianna is all bark and no bite.
Other Potential Suspects
While these characters don’t have a direct link to Erin, there are worth keeping in mind as Mare of Easttown continues.
Lori Ross (Julianne Nicholson): Lori is Mare’s best friend. Portrayed as she is by Nicholson, a talented actress, known for her performances in Ally McBeal and the Law & Order franchise, among many others, she could prove significant.
Father Dan Hastings (Neal Huff): Hastings is Mare’s cousin. He’s a progressive, inclusive Roman Catholic priest who first mentions Erin to Burton in episode 2. And, in episode 3, he seems to know more about Burton than he’s letting on.
John Ross (Joe Tippett): So far, John has had a small role in the series. But, given that he’s Lori’s husband, some have theorized that he could be the father of Erin’s baby.