Home > The Staircase > Season 1 « TV Series Page The Staircase: Season 1 (2005) Want to see Episode List Season 1 The Staircase Critics Consensus The Staircase -- in its newly expanded form -- offers a gripping, detailed depiction of the complex justice system, even if the overall narrative lacks objectivity. 94% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 31 83% Audience Score User Ratings: 274 More Info × Close Submit review Want to see Submit review Super Reviewer Super Reviewer Tap to review this movie Review this tv season Edit Review Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit Continue Super Reviewer Step 2 of 2 How did you get your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket. Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit How did you get your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Episodes 1 Crime or Accident? Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 1 of eight, executive Kathleen Peterson is found dead at the bottom of a staircase, and her devastated writer husband, Michael, is accused of killing her. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade directed. More 2 Secrets and Lies Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 2, Michael Peterson's defense team reacts when his secret sex life is made public. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade directed. More 3 A Striking Coincidence Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 3, the defense team discovers that the death of a woman from their client's past is similar to Kathleen's death. More 4 A Prosecution Trickery Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 4, Elizabeth Ratliff's body is exhumed and an autopsy proves surprising. More 5 A Weak Case? Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 5, Michael Peterson's frantic 911 call is played in court, and the jury considers the excessive amount of blood found at the scene. More 6 The Prosecution's Revenge Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 6, a surprise witness comes forward and information about a previous death comes into evidence. More 7 The Blowpoke Returns Air date: Aug 14, 2005 In Part 7, Peterson's defense team brings in experts to testify, but a surprise and key piece of evidence emerges. More 8 The Verdict Air date: Aug 15, 2005 Peterson receives his verdict and prepares for the future. More 9 Reopening The Case Air date: Mar 4, 2013 A look at new developments in the murder trial of author Michael Peterson. More 10 The Last Chance Air date: Mar 11, 2013 A look at new developments in the case of author Michael Peterson, who was accused of murdering his wife in North Carolina. More Show More Episodes The Staircase: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (28) Tv Season Info Genre: Documentary Network: Sundance/Netflix Premiere Date: Apr 4, 2005 Cast David Rudolf News & Interviews for The Staircase: Season 1 2018 TV Premiere Dates Calendar View All The Staircase: Season 1 News Episodes 1 Crime or Accident? Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 1 of eight, executive Kathleen Peterson is found dead at the bottom of a staircase, and her devastated writer husband, Michael, is accused of killing her. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade directed. More 2 Secrets and Lies Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 2, Michael Peterson's defense team reacts when his secret sex life is made public. Jean-Xavier de Lestrade directed. More 3 A Striking Coincidence Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 3, the defense team discovers that the death of a woman from their client's past is similar to Kathleen's death. More 4 A Prosecution Trickery Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 4, Elizabeth Ratliff's body is exhumed and an autopsy proves surprising. More 5 A Weak Case? Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 5, Michael Peterson's frantic 911 call is played in court, and the jury considers the excessive amount of blood found at the scene. More 6 The Prosecution's Revenge Air date: Apr 4, 2005 In Part 6, a surprise witness comes forward and information about a previous death comes into evidence. More 7 The Blowpoke Returns Air date: Aug 14, 2005 In Part 7, Peterson's defense team brings in experts to testify, but a surprise and key piece of evidence emerges. More 8 The Verdict Air date: Aug 15, 2005 Peterson receives his verdict and prepares for the future. More 9 Reopening The Case Air date: Mar 4, 2013 A look at new developments in the murder trial of author Michael Peterson. More 10 The Last Chance Air date: Mar 11, 2013 A look at new developments in the case of author Michael Peterson, who was accused of murdering his wife in North Carolina. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for The Staircase Season 1 All Critics (31) | Top Critics (12) | Fresh (29) | Rotten (2) The sheer amount of archival footage in this show is absolutely nuts. Jul 5, 2018 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review… Amelia Navascues Triple J Top Critic If The Staircase is a puzzle, it's one that still works no matter how you decide to arrange the pieces. Jun 18, 2018 | Full Review… Steve Greene indieWire Top Critic Unmissable stuff. Jun 15, 2018 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review… Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Top Critic It's a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime shows as it's not only a fascinating case on its own but really the template for so much that's on television and streaming services today. Jun 5, 2018 | Full Review… Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com Top Critic It's illuminating how flawed and naïve the concept of blind justice is. Jun 26, 2018 | Full Review… Sophie Gilbert The Atlantic Top Critic Where Making A Murderer dragged, The Staircase darts. Where Making A Murderer has you applauding your guesswork, The Staircase has you damned. Feb 15, 2019 | Full Review… Eleanor Halls GQ Magazine [UK] It is a tragedy of epic proportions, sprawled out over 15 years. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, months into years. The case drags on. Yet Kathleen Peterson remains dead, reduced to a series of graphic images, to pieces of bloody evidence. Jun 15, 2018 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Rohan Naahar Hindustan Times Most of us would like to think that, if we were in Michael Peterson's position, certain processes would be in place. Nov 15, 2018 | Full Review… Laura Finch WORLD By the end of its examination of the ways a trial can be skewed by investigators and faux "expert" witnesses, you will never want to break the law and face a so-called jury of your peers. Jul 6, 2018 | Full Review… Steve Murray ArtsATL It makes for very powerful TV. Jul 2, 2018 | Full Review… John Boland Irish Independent This rotating cast of vampires and misfits not only makes for a thrillingly sloppy and mad case, it creates extraordinary telly, all whittled down from 16 years of footage. Jun 25, 2018 | Full Review… Camilla Long Sunday Times (UK) The Staircase functions best as a documentary looking intently on the shortcomings of the American legal system, and how things can become so convoluted and messy that both victims and the accused will never find justice, closure, or peace. Jan 22, 2019 | Rating: 7.7/10 | Full Review… Andrew Parker The Gate View All Critic Reviews (31) Audience Reviews for The Staircase: Season 1 Jan 03, 2020 I just hope that when I kill somebody to have enough money for that defense team. Francisco S Dec 28, 2019 The Staircase is an excellent documentary of everything wrong with our legal system. The prosecution determined that he was guilty before a true investigation took place, fabricated evidence, pushed the medical examiner to change her death determination, and luckily found to have cause multiple incomplete reports in different cases leading to the release of Mr. Peterson. It's such a sad reality that someone could be found guilty for a crime they did not commit. Shame on Durhams DA. Amber N Jun 28, 2019 I could not stop watching... Tessa S Oct 04, 2018 The Staircase is a perfectly fine documentary series about a murder case that suffered from the prosecution's determination to get Michael convicted, regardless of what the evidence actually showed. There's nothing here many of us haven't seen before, but it's well done and shines a light on a key weakness in our justice system, as many other modern documentary series have done. Grant D Sep 04, 2018 I had just moved to North Carolina before Kathleen Peterson died, and began working within the Durham government a few months later. I was involved with at risk youth and gangs, so was familiar with Durham police and its justice system. What a "hot mess" (as they say in the South) of incompetent, shady, slackers! Peterson got railroaded and should have sued the justice system for his conviction and time served. This series was very well done, had incredible access to the people involved in the case, and showed the many fascinating characters involved. From the enigmatic Peterson, to his bitter sister-in-law, to the Cruella DeVille prosecutor Freda Black, and many others, you really saw the difficulty of each of their situations. Highly recommended. Grant G Aug 18, 2018 About three episodes too long but had me hooked enough to watch all the way through....i am still not sure if he did it or not. Peter F Aug 16, 2018 I have just finished watching the series. Its absolutely gripping, Mike Petterson is a fascinating multi dimensional character who is absolutely compelling. If you have watched Making a Murderer you will love this. Without revealing the plot it demonstrates once again the abysmal injustice of the American System. Aug 10, 2018 I watched this and was enthralled by it - fantastic exciting TV and journalism. Edge of the seat stuff. HOWEVER - I then did some more research and found that the team producing this series was very selective in what they included. For example there was virtually no mention of the very significant financial issues the couple were in, or the fact that one of the french crew (Sophie Brunet, the film's editor) was having a relationship with Michael for many years during the making of the program. What about the fact that Kathleen had a large life insurance policy.... These and other issues either were totally ignored or at best mentioned in passing. This is unforgivable! Justin H Aug 07, 2018 Really...Did we run out of original titles for shows Remi D Aug 01, 2018 I finished this series last night. I will be getting into spoilers, so if you havent seen it be careful. I felt the first half of episodes was far more interesting than the second half. It just kind of dragged on through the back half. I suppose like the actual case(s). I was totally enraptured watching the early episodes and going along for the true crime ride. The court case was interesting to watch. *spoilers start NOW* We dont really know until a later ep that the doc was being filmed by a company hired by Peterson. It explains the presentation a bit, any why the whole show leans bias towards Peterson. Still, even with that bias, I found myself very much disliking the prosecution, how they presented, and their experts. Everyone is an asshole. Deever was obviously a lying asshole before we found out later on that he actually WAS a lying Asshole. That the jury believed the BS he concocted confuses me. The medical examiner lady just came off so arrogant and bitchy. Like she was offended that anyone would dare question her findings. Then you have the crazy obnoxious southern lady lawyer who did the closing argument. Holy shit I could not stand her voice and the way she presented. After everything was presented from both sides and the jury went to do their thing, the only reason I knew what was coming was because of the episode count. Even with that I was shocked they found him guilty. Terrible verdict. There was all sorts of reasonable doubt, and for them to ignore it shows that they were emotionally effected by the presentation, or prejudiced based on Petersons life choices, or the Germany case. The jury fucked up. The latter half of eps goes through the following years of him in jail and trying to get appeals going. Its kind of boring. They should have squeezed this down to 10 eps. Oh, and Kathleens sister is a psycho. So much rage. Its sad. In the end I got to learn what an Alford Plea is and why its a thing. I had no idea. Too long but still worth the watch. Mark D See all Audience reviews News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! Best of Netflix Movies and shows to binge now More News & Features TOP HEADLINES Who Is the Best Joker? – Rotten Tomatoes All 26 James Bond Movies Ranked – Rotten Tomatoes 100 Essential Spanish-Language Movies – Rotten Tomatoes 200 Essential Movies To Watch Now – Rotten Tomatoes The Best LGBT Movies on Netflix Right Now – Rotten Tomatoes 10 Great TV Shows That Failed in Their Final Seasons – Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes’ First Book Rotten Movies We Love is Out This October – Rotten Tomatoes Your Full List of All Upcoming DC Movies – With Key Details – Rotten Tomatoes More Headlines View All Results Go back More trailers