The Staircase (American miniseries)

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This article is about the scripted miniseries. For the documentary series, see The Staircase (French miniseries).

The Staircase
Promotional poster
Genre
Created byAntonio Campos
Based onThe Staircase
by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade
Written by
  • Antonio Campos
  • Maggie Cohn
  • Emily Kaczmarek
  • Craig Shilowich
Directed by
Starring
ComposerDanny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans
Country of originUnited States
Original languages
  • English
  • French
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Emily Kaczmarek
  • Craig Shilowich
  • Randall Poster
  • Christina M. Fitzgerald
  • Marsha L. Swinton
Cinematography
  • Lyle Vincent
  • Michael Svitak
Editors
  • Sofia Subercaseaux
  • Shelby Siegel
  • Eric Spang
  • Christopher Rand
Running time59–73 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO Max
ReleaseMay 5 (2022-05-05) –
June 9, 2022 (2022-06-09)

The Staircase is an American biographical crime drama television miniseries created by Antonio Campos, based on the 2004 true crime docuseries of the same name created by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade. The series stars Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, a writer convicted of murdering his wife Kathleen Peterson (Toni Collette), who was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their home. The series premiered on HBO Max on May 5, 2022.[1]

Premise[edit]

Michael Peterson, a crime novelist, is accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home. As the investigation continues, the family is thrown into a tumultuous legal battle. Meanwhile, a French documentary team takes an interest in the story.

Cast and characters[edit]

Main[edit]

  • Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, a novelist and political hopeful living in Durham. His finances and personal life become the focus of the investigation and documentary.
  • Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson, his second wife and Caitlin's mom. She was a high-powered executive and well-liked by her family and community.
  • Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf, Michael's lawyer
  • Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson, Michael Peterson's oldest son from his first marriage who has his own legal issues from his past
  • Olivia DeJonge as Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's daughter from her first marriage. She initially supports her stepfather.
  • Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson, Michael's youngest son from his first marriage
  • Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff, Michael's daughter, whom he adopted after her biological parents' deaths
  • Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff, Michael's other adopted daughter
  • Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace Hunt Zamperini, Kathleen's sister
  • Tim Guinee as Bill Peterson, Michael's brother
  • Parker Posey as Freda Black, a Durham county prosecutor
  • Juliette Binoche as Sophie Brunet, the editor of the original documentary
  • Vincent Vermignon as Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, the director of the original documentary

Recurring[edit]

  • Joel McKinnon Miller as Larry Pollard, a lawyer who is neighbors and friends with the Petersons
  • Maria Dizzia as Lori Campbell, Kathleen and Candace's sister
  • Susan Pourfar as Dr Deborah Radisch
  • Justice Leak as Tom Maher
  • Robert Crayton as Ron Guerette
  • Cullen Moss as Jim Hardin, another Durham County prosecutor on whom Michael had previously written attack columns
  • Cory Scott Allen as Art Holland
  • Morgan Henard as Dennis Rowe, a childhood neighbor and friend of Kathleen and Lori's, eventual hookup of Michael's
  • Jason Davis as Fred Atwater, Kathleen's first husband and father to Caitlin
  • Ryan Lewis as Bruce Campbell, Lori's husband
  • Hannah Pniewski as Becky, Clayton's wife
  • Kevin Sizemore as Mark Zamperini, Candace's husband
  • Trini Alvarado as Patricia Sue Peterson, Michael's first wife and mother to Todd and Clayton
  • Daniela Lee as Devon
  • Teri Wyble as Sonya Pfeiffer
  • Frank Feys as Denis Poncet, the editor of the original documentary
  • Andre Martin as Yves, Jean-Xavier's boom operator
  • Jean-Luc McMurtry as Gaultier, Sophie's assistant editor
  • Monika Gossmann as Agnes

Episodes[edit]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [2]
1"911"Antonio CamposAntonio CamposMay 5, 2022 (2022-05-05)
On December 9, 2001, in Durham, North Carolina, author and local politician Michael Peterson calls 911 after supposedly finding his wife, Kathleen, unconscious and bleeding at the bottom of the staircase. Kathleen is declared dead. However, the nature of her injuries causes local law enforcement to believe that Michael might have been involved in her death, leading to him being charged for her murder. Michael gathers his family, which includes Bill, his brother, Clayton and Todd, Michael's sons from his previous marriage, Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's daughter from her previous marriage, Margaret and Martha Ratliff, Michael's adopted daughters, and Candace Hunt Zamperini and Lori Campbell, Kathleen's sisters. Michael hires defense attorney David Rudolf to represent him in court. The Grand jury indicts him for Kathleen's murder and he is arrested. Meanwhile, prosecutors Freda Black and Jim Hardin meet with Candace and Lori and show them Kathleen's autopsy report and pictures of gay porn that they found in Michael's office and computer, establishing a motive that Kathleen fought with Michael after finding the pictures, leading to her death. This causes the sisters to turn against Michael, believing his guilt. In 2017, Michael is seen out of prison, and in a relationship with another woman.
2"Chiroptera"Antonio CamposMaggie CohnMay 5, 2022 (2022-05-05)
In 2001, French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade and producer Denis Poncet began working on their next documentary when they encounter news about Michael's case. Bill is tasked to explain to the family about Michael's bisexuality. The family takes it well, however, Caitlin begins to doubt Michael after realizing he has been lying to the family. Michael is released on bail, and Rudolf gathers a team of crime scene analysts and forensic experts to prove Michael's innocence. The team theorizes that Kathleen fell down the stairs, attempting to get up and call for help, but fell down again, explaining most of her injuries. However, they couldn't come up with a theory to explain the scratches on her face nor her broken thyroid cartilage. Caitlin's belief in Michael's innocence is finally shattered after Black and Hardin show her Kathleen's autopsy report. Candace, meanwhile, comes up with her own theory that Michael used the fireplace poker to beat Kathleen to death.
3"The Great Dissembler"Antonio CamposAntonio CamposMay 5, 2022 (2022-05-05)
In 2002, Jean-Xavier and his team arrive in Durham to begin filming their documentary. Also arriving is Michael's first wife, Patricia Sue Peterson, from Germany. The DA office digs deeper into Michael's case and finds Dennis Rowe, who claims that he slept with Michael multiple times. Hardin, however, dismisses him when he finds out that Rowe also slept with several of his campaign donors. Michael confesses to Bill about his affairs, but claims that Kathleen knew all of it. The DA establishes the blow poke, a gift that Candace gave to each of her siblings, as the murder weapon after the State's Bureau of Investigation was able to replicate the crime using the one Candace gave to them, although they cannot find it anywhere in the Peterson's home. Margaret Blair, Martha and Margaret's maternal aunt, contacts the DA and tells them about her sister's death in Germany 20 years ago where she also died at the bottom of the staircase with Michael finding the body. Elizabeth's initial autopsy in Germany shows that it was caused by an aneurysm. The DA exhumes Elizabeth's body with the sisters' permission which they gave reluctantly, believing that it might help Michael's case. In 2003, Michael's trial finally begins.
4"Common Sense"Antonio CamposEmily Kaczmarek & Craig ShilowichMay 12, 2022 (2022-05-12)
5"The Beating Heart"Leigh JaniakCraig ShilowichMay 19, 2022 (2022-05-19)
6"Red in Tooth and Claw"Leigh JaniakEmily KaczmarekMay 26, 2022 (2022-05-26)
7"Seek and Ye Shall"Antonio CamposMaggie CohnJune 2, 2022 (2022-06-02)
8"America's Sweetheart or: Time Over Time"Antonio CamposAntonio CamposJune 9, 2022 (2022-06-09)
In 2017, Michael finally accepts his Alford plea, which allows to have time served. Later one evening, he and Brunet get into a heated argument. Already furious that his life is ruined, Michael breaks off his relationship with her. Closed titles reveal that he served 86 months and that he never faced additional prison time.

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

The series is a passion project for Antonio Campos, who began developing a scripted adaptation of the true crime docuseries The Staircase in 2008.[3] On November 21, 2019, it was announced that Annapurna Television had officially put the project into development and was shopping the project to premium networks and streaming services. Campos was attached to write the series, as well as executive produce alongside Harrison Ford.[4] On September 22, 2020, during an interview about his new film The Devil All the Time with Rian Johnson for Interview magazine, Campos revealed that HBO Max had landed the project for development.[5] On March 31, 2021, it was announced that HBO Max had given the project a limited series order consisting of 8 episodes, with Campos set as showrunner and director of 6 of the episodes and American Crime Story's Maggie Cohn joining as writer, executive producer, and co-showrunner. In addition, Ford was no longer attached as executive producer.[3] Upon the series order announcement, Campos said:

This has been a project I have been working on in one way or another since 2008. It's been a long and winding road, but well worth the wait to be able to find partners like HBO Max, Annapurna, co-showrunner Maggie Cohn and the incredible Colin Firth to dramatize such a complex true-life story.

On July 19, 2021, it was announced that Leigh Janiak is set to direct two episodes of the series.[6]

Casting[edit]

Harrison Ford was initially set to star in the lead role of Michael Peterson before being replaced by Colin Firth in March 2021.[4][3] The following month, Toni Collette joined the cast in a lead role.[7] Rosemarie DeWitt, Juliette Binoche, and Parker Posey were added to the main cast in May 2021,[8][9][10] with Sophie Turner, Odessa Young, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Dane DeHaan, Olivia DeJonge, and Michael Stuhlbarg joining the next month.[11][12][13][14][15][16] In July 2021, Tim Guinee and Vincent Vermignon joined the cast of the series.[17][18] In August 2021, Justice Leak was cast in a recurring role.[19]

Filming[edit]

Principal photography for the series began on June 7, 2021, in Atlanta, Georgia, and was scheduled to conclude in November 2021.[20][21] The final day of filming in Atlanta was Monday, December 13, 2021. The actors on set that day were Odessa Young (Martha Peterson), Trini Alvarado (Patty Peterson), Morgan Henard (Dennis Rowe), Donny Boaz (Tyrone Lacour), Monika Gossmann (Agnes Schafer), and Bastian Gunther (German Father).

Release[edit]

The miniseries premiered on May 5, 2022, with the first 3 episodes on HBO Max.[1] The miniseries was released on December 27, 2022, on DVD.[22]

Reception[edit]

The series received positive reviews from critics, with praise towards Firth's performance. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 92% approval rating with an average rating of 7.80/10, based on 71 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "The Staircase doesn't hold many surprises for those already intimate with the original documentary, but this dramatization brings a fresh perspective and texture to the mystery—along with a terrific performance by Colin Firth."[23] Meanwhile, Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 80 out of 100 based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favourable reviews".[24]

Members of the original documentary team criticised the series, with creator Jean-Xavier de Lestrade stating that he felt "very uncomfortable, because I feel that I’ve been betrayed." The original documentary team in particular criticised the series for misrepresenting the relationship between Sophie Brunet and Peterson, for suggesting that the team made editorial choices in order to portray Peterson in a more sympathetic way, and for falsely attributing work done by producer Allyson Luchak to Denis Poncet instead.[25] David Rudolf also raised concerns about the series' factual accuracy, saying that there were "many things in the first five episodes, which I've seen that are inaccurate, misleading, and outright false."[26] As well, Peterson criticised the series, saying that he hadn't been informed that the series was being made, and accused de Lestrade of selling out the story to HBO.[27]

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2022
 Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards Best Streaming Limited or Anthology Series The Staircase Nominated [28]
Best Actor in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Colin Firth Nominated
Best Actress in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Toni Collette Nominated
Best Writing in a Streaming Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Antonio Campos (for "911") Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Colin Firth Nominated [29]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie Toni Collette Nominated
Television Critics Association Awards Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials The Staircase Nominated [30]
2023
 Golden Globe Awards Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Television Film Colin Firth Nominated [31]
Satellite Awards Best Miniseries The Staircase Nominated [32]
Best Actress in a Miniseries, Limited Series or Television Film Toni Collette Nominated
Writers Guild of America Awards Limited Series Aisha Bhoori, Antonio Campos, Maggie Cohn, Aja Gabel,
Emily Kaczmarek, Craig Shilowich, and Sebastián Silva 		Nominated [33]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Chapman, Wilson (March 29, 2022). "HBO Max's 'The Staircase,' Starring Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, Reveals First Teaser and May Premiere Date". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  2. ^ "Shows A-Z – staircase, the on hbo max". The Futon Critic. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
  3. ^ a b c White, Peter (March 31, 2021). "'The Staircase': Colin Firth To Star In TV Drama Adaptation Of Classic True Crime Documentary For HBO Max From Antonio Campos & Maggie Cohn". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Otterson, Joe (November 21, 2019). "Harrison Ford to Star in 'The Staircase' Series Adaptation for Annapurna TV (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  5. ^ Johnson, Rian (September 22, 2020). "Antonio Campos Tells Rian Johnson About Making The Devil All the Time". Interview. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (July 19, 2021). "Leigh Janiak To Direct Two Episodes Of HBO Max's True-Crime Series 'The Staircase'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 19, 2021. Retrieved July 19, 2021.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (April 29, 2021). "Toni Collette To Play Kathleen Peterson In 'The Staircase' Limited Series For HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (May 4, 2021). "Rosemarie DeWitt Joins Toni Collette & Colin Firth In Michael Peterson Limited Series 'The Staircase' At HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Petski, Denise (May 20, 2021). "Juliette Binoche Joins Michael Peterson Limited Series 'The Staircase' At HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 21, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (May 26, 2021). "Parker Posey Joins Michael Peterson Limited Series 'The Staircase' At HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  11. ^ White, Peter (June 1, 2021). "Sophie Turner Joins HBO Max's True-Crime Series 'The Staircase'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 1, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  12. ^ Petski, Denise (June 7, 2021). "Odessa Young Joins HBO Max's True-Crime Series 'The Staircase'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  13. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 10, 2021). "Patrick Schwarzenegger Joins 'The Staircase' True-Crime Series On HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (June 15, 2021). "Dane DeHaan Joins HBO Max's True-Crime Series 'The Staircase'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  15. ^ Pedersen, Erik (June 25, 2021). "Olivia DeJonge Joins HBO Max's True-Crime Series 'The Staircase'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 26, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  16. ^ Petski, Denise (June 30, 2021). "Michael Stuhlbarg Joins HBO Max's True-Crime Series 'The Staircase'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
  17. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 1, 2021). "Tim Guinee Joins HBO Max's True-Crime Series 'The Staircase'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  18. ^ Petski, Denise (July 9, 2021). "Vincent Vermignon Joins HBO Max's True-Crime Series 'The Staircase'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  19. ^ Petski, Denise (August 5, 2021). "'The Staircase': Justice Leak Joins HBO Max's True-Crime Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
  20. ^ "The Staircase". Production List. May 3, 2021. Archived from the original on May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  21. ^ "Casting Call for HBO Max". Oz Magazine. May 11, 2021. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2021.
  22. ^ Lovell, Kevin (October 26, 2022). "'The Staircase: Limited Series'; Arrives On DVD December 27, 2022 From Warner Bros". Screen-Connections. Archived from the original on January 24, 2023. Retrieved January 24, 2023.
  23. ^ "The Staircase: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  24. ^ "The Staircase: Season 1". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  25. ^ Miller, Julie (May 13, 2022). "The Staircase Filmmakers Feel "Betrayed" by HBO Max's Adaptation". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  26. ^ Mitchell, Molli (June 9, 2022). "How Accurate Is 'The Staircase' on HBO Max? 'Misleading' Says Michael Peterson's Lawyer". Newsweek. Archived from the original on June 13, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  27. ^ Adekaiyero, Ayomikun (June 10, 2022). "'The Staircase' subject Michael Peterson slams HBO Max series over 'egregious fabrications' and feels 'pimped out' by documentary maker". Insider. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  28. ^ Schneider, Michael (July 7, 2022). "'Severance,' 'Ted Lasso' Lead Streaming Nominees for 2nd Annual HCA TV Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
  29. ^ Andreeva, Nellie; Hipes, Patrick (July 12, 2022). "Emmy Nominations: The Complete List". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  30. ^ Hailu, Selome (August 6, 2022). "'Abbott Elementary' Tops 2022 TCA Awards". Variety. Archived from the original on August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  31. ^ Kirsten, Chuba; Lewis, Hilary (December 12, 2022). "Golden Globes: List of Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  32. ^ "IPA Reveals Nominations for the 27th Satellite™ Awards". International Press Academy. December 8, 2022. Archived from the original on December 8, 2022. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
  33. ^ Pedersen, Erik (January 11, 2023). "WGA Awards TV Nominations: 'Abbott Elementary,' 'Better Call Saul,' 'The Crown,' 'Severance', 'Yellowjackets' Among Shows Vying For Top Prizes". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 12, 2023.

External links[edit]

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