Genre: Biographical drama, Crime
Developed by Antonio Campos
Based on The Staircase by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade
Written by Antonio Campos, Maggie Cohn, Emily Kaczmarek, Craig Shilowich
Directed by Antonio Campos, Leigh Janiak
- Starring: Colin Firth, Toni Collette, Michael Stuhlbarg, Dane DeHaan, Olivia DeJonge, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sophie Turner, Odessa Young, Rosemarie DeWitt, Tim Guinee, Parker Posey, Juliette Binoche & Vincent Vermignon.
Composer: Danny Bensi & Saunder Jurriaans
- Executive Producers: Megan Ellison, Sue Naegle, Ali Krug, Carol Cuddy, Maggie Cohn, Antonio Campos
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
Production Company: Annapurna Television, Emipop, What’s Up Films
Distributor: Warner Bros. Discovery Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment
Network: HBO MAX
Plot: Exploring the life of Michael Peterson, his sprawling N.C. family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson; based on a true story.
The Staircase Miniseries was a mixed-bag.
Pros: I enjoyed more of the supportive cast (A.K.A. The Kids) more than the parents. Colin Firth and Toni Collette played well as the parents and I did like certain what-if moments where it got intense.
Cons: its show was eerie in-between certain moments. It does move around back and forth so much that it distracts away from the show a lot. At times I didn’t know how it was going to end,
I took breaks in-between episodes every few days. It didn’t feel like Michael was being remorseful.
Casts & Crew:
Main:
- 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 mother to Caitlin. 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, the director of the original documentary
Recurring:
- 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
- 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
- Andre Martin as Yves, Jean-Xavier’s boom operator
- Jean-Luc McMurtry as Gaultier, Sophie’s assistant editor
- Monika Gossmann as Agnes
I recommend watching this miniseries to anyone.
Rating: 5 out of 10 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident TV reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe.