Series synopsis
The Staircase is an American documentary crime television series that premiered on HBO Max on May 5, 2022. It ended on June 9, 2022. It was created by Antonio Campos. It stars Colin Firth, Toni Collette, Michael Stuhlbarg and Dane DeHaan.
Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, presents a gripping courtroom thriller, offering a rare and revealing inside look at a high-profile murder trial. In 2001, author Michael Peterson was arraigned for the murder of his wife Kathleen, whose body was discovered lying in a pool of blood on the stairway of their home. Granted unusual access to Peterson's lawyers, home and immediate family, de Lestrade's cameras capture the defense team as it considers its strategic ...
Premise
Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, presents a gripping courtroom thriller, offering a rare and revealing inside look at a high-profile murder trial. In 2001, author Michael Peterson was arraigned for the murder of his wife Kathleen, whose body was discovered lying in a pool of blood on the stairway of their home. Granted unusual access to Peterson's lawyers, home and immediate family, de Lestrade's cameras capture the defense team as it considers its strategic options. The series is an engrossing look at contemporary American justice that features more twists than a legal bestseller.
Premise: There is no truth without lies.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Colin Firth as Michael Peterson
- Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson
- Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf
- Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson
- Olivia DeJonge as Caitlin Atwater
- Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson
- Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff
- Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff
Supporting cast
- Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace Zamperini
- Tim Guinee as Bill Peterson
- Vincent Vermignon as Jean-Xavier de Lestrade
- Parker Posey as Freda Black
- Juliette Binoche as Sophie Brunet
- Giovanni Pucci as Remy
- Josh Drennen as Francis Borden
- Olek Krupa as Werner Spitz
- Joel McKinnon Miller as Larry Pollard
- Maria Dizzia as Lori Campbell
- Susan Pourfar as Deborah Radisch
- Justice Leak as Tom Maher
Guest cast
- Josh Drennen as Francis Borden
- Olek Krupa as Werner Spitz
- Joel McKinnon Miller as Larry Pollard
- Maria Dizzia as Lori Campbell
- Susan Pourfar as Deborah Radisch
- Justice Leak as Tom Maher
- Cullen Moss as Jim Hardin
- Cory Scott Allen as Art Holland
- Jason Davis as Fred Atwater
- Trini Alvarado as Patty Peterson
- Frank Feys as Denis Poncet
- Teri Wyble as Sonya Pfeiffer
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 18 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 10 | ||
| Season 1 | 8 | May 5, 2022 | June 9, 2022 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | About Kathleen | |
| 2 | Defense Strategy Meeting | |
| 3 | Interview with Caitlan |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
911 In 2001, author and aspiring local politician Michael Peterson is charged with murder after the suspicious death of his wife Kathleen. |
May 5, 2022 |
| 2 |
Chiroptera While working on his defense, Michael considers an opportunity to tell his story in a documentary. Then, after learning shocking information about her stepfather, Caitlin wrestles with doubts. |
May 5, 2022 |
| 3 |
The Great Dissembler As the DA’s office attempts to solidify their case, shocking new details surface about Michael’s past that threaten to derail the defense. |
May 5, 2022 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO Max |
|---|---|
| First aired | May 5, 2022 |
| Last aired | June 9, 2022 |
| Runtime | 49 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday |