Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu

Season: 1

#	Air Date	Episode Name
E1	Apr 28, 2022	When God Was Love
E2	Apr 28, 2022	Rightful Place
E3	May 05, 2022	Surrender
E4	May 12, 2022	Church and State
E5	May 19, 2022	One Mighty and Strong
E6	May 26, 2022	Revelation
E7	Jun 02, 2022	Blood Atonement

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Watched / Unwatched

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Production Note - Limited Series

Production Type:

limited series

Under the Banner of Heaven is a standalone limited series that concluded its 7-episode run in June 2022. Created by Dustin Lance Black and based on the true crime book by Jon Krakauer, the production was conceived as a prestige miniseries with a fixed narrative arc. The scale of the project involved meticulous period recreation of 1980s Utah and the historical origins of the LDS Church, requiring a significant commitment from lead actor Andrew Garfield. Because the series explores a specific, closed criminal investigation and the theological history surrounding it, the storytelling was structured to reach a definitive resolution without the possibility of continuation.

The production served as a complete adaptation of its source material, meticulously detailing the tragic events of the Lafferty murders. FX and the creative team marketed the show as a limited event from its inception, ensuring that the thematic exploration of faith and fundamentalism was fully realized within its singular season. By resolving both the primary murder mystery and the personal spiritual crisis of the protagonist, the showrunners left no narrative threads for a second installment. Its status as a finished work is reinforced by the definitive nature of the legal outcomes and historical facts upon which the drama is based.

7 episodes; FX on Hulu; based on Jon Krakauer's 2003 book; produced by Dustin Lance Black.

Confidence: 5% Last Refined: March 2026

Why Watch:

"A profound dive into the shadows of faith and history."

Series Analysis:

Under the Banner of Heaven stands as a definitive exploration of the intersection between rigid faith and extreme violence. By adapting Jon Krakauer’s investigative work, the series moved beyond standard true crime tropes to examine the foundational origins of the LDS movement. Andrew Garfield’s portrayal of Detective Jeb Pyre remains a high-water mark for television drama, capturing the painful erosion of a man’s worldview. Its cultural footprint is defined by a refusal to simplify complex theological history, forcing audiences to confront how institutional devotion can be weaponized. Even years later, the show is remembered for its intellectual rigor and its haunting depiction of the 1984 Lafferty case. While the story reached its conclusion, viewers should set a reminder for any future news or potential spin-offs from this creative team.

Tone: Intellectual, somber, and analytical. Last Updated: March 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

No, Under the Banner of Heaven is a standalone limited series designed to tell a complete story in a single season. While the show could theoretically return as an anthology with a new cast and case, there are currently no plans for a second season.

The series is based on the 2003 non-fiction book of the same name by Jon Krakauer. It dramatizes the real-life 1984 murders of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her infant daughter, as well as the history of the LDS Church.

Although the series is set in the state of Utah, the production was primarily filmed in and around Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Various locations throughout the Alberta province were used to replicate the mountainous landscape and small-town feel of the 1980s American West.

The complete limited series consists of seven episodes in total. Each episode ranges from approximately 60 to 90 minutes in length to cover the complex investigation and historical flashbacks.

Andrew Garfield stars as Detective Jeb Pyre, a fictional character created to lead the audience through the investigation. He is joined by Gil Birmingham, who plays his partner, Detective Bill Taba, as they navigate the religious complexities of the case.

In the United States, the series is available to stream exclusively on Hulu as an FX on Hulu original production. For international audiences, the show is typically found on the Star hub within the Disney+ streaming platform.

FAQs Updated: March 2026