From acclaimed director Antonio Campos (Afterschool, The Sinner, The Devil All the Time), The Staircase is a riveting 8-episode limited series from HBO.
Based on the shocking true story and the massively influential docuseries of the same name, the show follows Michael Peterson (Colin Firth), a closeted crime novelist who is accused of killing his wife Kathleen (Toni Collette) after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home. As the investigation continues, the entire Peterson family is thrown into a tumultuous legal battle. Meanwhile, a French documentary crew takes an interest in the story and dramatically changes the lives of everyone involved.
Featuring an exceptional supporting cast – including Patrick Schwarzenegger, Olivia DeJonge, Sophie Turner, Dane DeHaan, Michael Stuhlbarg, Rosemarie DeWitt, Parker Posey and Juliette Binoche – The Staircase is easily one of the year’s best limited series. Anyone familiar with the still-mysterious true story will understand how difficult it is to depict, but the filmmakers handle the challenge with aplomb, presenting numerous possibilities without any definitive answers – which works surprisingly well in the show’s favor. Also of interest to our LGBTQ+ viewers is the way the series examines repressed sexuality and they way it both effects and is used against the characters.
Watch HBO’s trailer for The Staircase below and click here to pre-order your copy. The series will be available on DVD starting December 27th.
