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Limited Series – The Staircase

Play trailer 2:52 Poster for Limited Series – The Staircase May 2022 Crime Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 72 Reviews 59% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
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.
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The Staircase — Limited Series

The Staircase — Limited Series

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The Staircase doesn't hold many surprises for those already intimate with the original documentary, but this dramatization brings a fresh perspective and texture to the mystery -- along with a terrific performance by Colin Firth.

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Critics Reviews

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Doreen St. Felix The New Yorker 06/10/2022
The Staircase makes tantalizing equivalences between the filmmaking process and the justice system. Go to Full Review Rachel Cooke New Statesman 06/06/2022
In The Staircase Mark Two, highly complex events are revealed in flashbacks so numerous that no momentum is ever able to build. Just as a scene starts getting interesting, we're whipped back to a different year altogether. Go to Full Review Wenlei Ma News.com.au 05/20/2022
A masterfully composed and tonally strong drama that captures the same unsettling vibe which bewitched fans of the docuseries. Go to Full Review Olivia Savage Loud and Clear Reviews 11/24/2024
4/5
As a television series, The Staircase is a gripping true crime drama with excellent performances from a star-studded cast. Although it suffers from structural issues, it still pulls you in with plot twists around every corner. Go to Full Review Tamara Khodova That Shelf 10/03/2022
There are too many characters and plot twists to worry about style or to propose any significant ideas beyond the homicide it’s examining. Go to Full Review Prahlad Srihari Firstpost 08/05/2022
As far as true-crime stories go, The Staircase is a doozy. A Schroeder stairs-meets-Schrödinger’s cat of a mystery. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Belinda R @Ondine 2d Despite excellent performances from the stellar leads, a number of the roles were played poorly. Hard to know what was just really bad direction and very indulgent writing. Sometimes more is less. And then there is the empty unresolved ending. See more Malou E @RT02621430 May 15 Loved this! Makes you guessing until last min and it sticks with you after. Great series. See more Ronnie B. @ronniebrom May 11 Insensitive as fuck. Loved Toni Collette. See more Yash S. @brownvista Jan 31 I thought this show was pretty good I had no idea about this happening in real life. Very well shot and for sure can see how much work went into filming and casting but it was a little elongated and hard to stay focused through the whole show. See more Kevin F. @overrated Dec 19 One of the best things HBO has made. Lots of fun. Thriller elements. Legal drama. Family drama. Even a couple laughs. Colin Firth did amazing. Blown away that the audience score is not high. Breaking Bad is my fav show of all time if that’s any metric for you. See more Sid V @SidVbeepbeep Dec 18 Slow, annoying 🙄. Shouldn't have been made. See more Read all reviews
The Staircase — Limited Series

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Antonio Campos

Creator

Colin Firth

Michael Peterson

Toni Collette

Kathleen Peterson

Michael Stuhlbarg

David Rudolf

Juliette Binoche

Actor

Dane DeHaan

Clayton Peterson

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 5, 2022 911 In 2001, author and aspiring local politician Michael Peterson is charged with murder after the suspicious death of his wife Kathleen. Details Episode 2 Aired May 5, 2022 Chiroptera While working on his defense, Michael considers an opportunity to tell his story in a documentary; after learning shocking information about her stepfather, Caitlin wrestles with doubts. Details Episode 3 Aired May 5, 2022 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. Details Episode 4 Aired May 12, 2022 Common Sense After an unexpected homecoming, a critical discovery rocks the Peterson household; Michael's fate hangs in the balance as the trial ends. Details Episode 5 Aired May 19, 2022 The Beating Heart In the aftermath of the verdict in 2004, Michael and his family struggle with the court's decision; in France, Jean and his producer Denis butt heads over whose side of the story they are telling; Sophie strikes up an unlikely friendship. Details Episode 6 Aired May 26, 2022 Sleep of Reason In 2006, Sophie pursues a far-fetched new theory about the night of Kathleen's death; in 2017, Michael grapples with compromising his principles in exchange for his freedom. Details Episode 7 Aired Jun 2, 2022 Seek and Ye Shall After a body with similar injuries to Kathleen's turns up at the county morgue, Sophie continues her quest to uncover what really happened to Kathleen; meanwhile, Martha decides to dig into her fraught past, despite pushback from Margaret. Details Episode 8 Aired Jun 9, 2022 America's Sweetheart Or: Time Over Time After navigating a possible retrial, a 73-year-old Michael confronts a life-changing decision; meanwhile, Martha and Margaret each share long-buried truths, and Sophie comes to terms with a revelation. Details

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The Staircase — Limited Series

The Staircase: Limited Series Featurette - Toni Collette & the Cast of The Staircase Discuss The Owl Theory The Staircase: Limited Series Featurette - Toni Collette & the Cast of The Staircase Discuss The Owl Theory 3:12 The Staircase: Limited Series Trailer The Staircase: Limited Series Trailer 2:52 The Staircase: Limited Series Teaser The Staircase: Limited Series Teaser 1:39 View more videos
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The Staircase — Limited Series

The Staircase View more photos

Season Info

Creator
Antonio Campos
Executive Producer
Antonio Campos, Maggie Cohn
Network
HBO Max
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Crime, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 5, 2022