Watch The Staircase (2022)

The Staircase is a 2022 true crime drama miniseries that explores the mysterious death of Kathleen Peterson and the ensuing murder trial of her husband Michael Peterson. Based on the 2004 documentary series of the same name, the fictionalized adaptation stars Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, a novelist living in Durham, North Carolina whose wife Kathleen is found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their home in 2001. Toni Collette co-stars as Kathleen Peterson alongside Juliette Binoche as documentary filmmaker Sophie Brunet.

The series opens on the night of Kathleen's death, alternating between the police investigation and Michael's frantic 911 call as he claims he discovered his wife's bloody body after hearing a fall. Detectives suspicious of Michael's account of events dive into the Petersons' lives, uncovering potential motives ranging from Michael's bisexuality to the hefty life insurance policy on Kathleen. Meanwhile, Michael assembles a legal team including attorney David Rudolf (Michael Stuhlbarg) to defend himself against an impending murder charge.

As the trial kicks off, tensions escalate between the no-nonsense prosecutor intent on exposing Michael's guilt and Rudolf's impassioned defense steeped in reasonable doubt. Outside the courtroom, Kathleen's daughters provide emotional testimony while the lives of Michael's sons are upended by the charges against their father. Flashes back through time reveal the early days of Michael and Kathleen's romance intertwined with Michael's previous relationships.

Throughout Michael's lengthy trial, startling secrets emerge about Kathleen's personal struggles and the Petersons' unconventional marriage. Thedocu-series' filmmakers take center stage halfway through the season, exploring their own role in bringing global attention to the case. As both sides mount convincing arguments, the mystery of Kathleen's perplexing death lingers.

Without revealing the verdict, the final episodes inspect the credibility of the prosecution's theories while poignantly depicting the devastating impact of the trial on Kathleen and Michael's grieving families. The series ultimately leaves viewers to parse through the complex evidence and decide where the truth may lie.

Anchored by Firth and Collette's emotionally wrenching performances, The Staircase employs stylish recreations and vérité-style interviews to dramatize the headline-grabbing details of Kathleen Peterson's death. Backed by an ensemble of acclaimed actors, the series balances mystery and family drama as it unpacks the alleged crime's many intricacies. Capturing the allure and ambiguity of the real-life saga that inspired it, The Staircase is a thought-provoking examination of a trial that left pundits and viewers endlessly perplexed.

The Staircase (2022) is a series that ran for 1 seasons (8 episodes) between May 5, 2022 and on HBO Max