Laurel Castillo

The next character I want to discuss is Laurel Castillo. Laurel is without a doubt my favorite character, because at first she comes of quiet and unassuming but she is actually the most conniving especially in season two. Laurel is one of Annalise’s students who works on the cases throughout both seasons. She is played by Mexican actress Karla Souza.

In the first few episodes I had doubts about the character, she didn’t particularly interest me and she kind of floated around in the background. As the first season progressed and moving into the second season she becomes the most level headed and cunning of Annalise’s five students. at the start she is rather idealistic bordering on naïve but becomes arguably the most vital of the Keating Five. I love her especially because of this because even as Annalise recognizes her as a vital member of the team in season two, there is still a part of laurel this is idealistic and sees the best in everyone. I like that she is neither extreme but a mix of both ends of the spectrum. Like many of the other characters she owns her sexuality, starting with her relationship with Frank. My second favorite Laurel moment is in real time when she and the four other students go to bury Sam Keating’s body in the wood, and she gets a phone call from Frank. While the other members of the groups judge her for sleeping with her sort of boss, she quickly accepts whatever criticisms they have and reminds them that they are literally burying a dead body in the woods.

My all-time favorite Laurel moment is when the team goes to their perspective homes for Christmas in season 1. It is the first time we as an audience get to know a little more about Laurel. While it’s a little upsetting that before this moment I hadn’t realized that the character or the actress was Latina the moment is too good to pass up. After this moment there’s a noticeable change in Laurels behavior, she seems to gain confidence and perspective after this encounter and I ate it up. Her smirk at the end absolutely kills me. Moving into season two you see this Laurel a lot more. She is generally the most rational helping to control the situation amongst her peers. The audience also sees her cunning and manipulative streak that helps Annalise and the team solve cases and it’s awesome. I can’t wait to see what else she is capable of this season.

Watch Laurel's homecoming: 

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3205802/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm