A chilling drama hailed by viewers as a "masterpiece" is based on the shocking true story of Kathleen Peterson’s mysterious death. The Staircase stars Colin Firth as novelist, newspaper columnist, war veteran Michael Peterson, and Toni Collette as his wife Kathleen, whose death at the bottom of a staircase in their North Carolina home sparked one of America’s most controversial murder cases.
The gripping series revisits the events of December 2001, when Kathleen was found dead in a pool of blood after what Michael claimed was a tragic accident. Prosecutors, however, alleged she had been beaten to death, leading to a sensational court case that gripped the world.
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Created by HBO Max, the eight-part true-crime drama series was inspired by the award-winning documentary of the same name, created by French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade.
The drama series focuses on the years-long legal battle and its shocking revelations, the intense media scrutiny and the devastating impact on the Peterson family. It switches between perspectives and timelines, giving viewers so much information that some argue it raises more questions than it answers.
One of the strangest parts of the case, and one that still divides viewers today, is the infamous "owl theory," pitched by Durham lawyer Larry Pollard. It was never proposed in court but David Rudolf, who represented Peterson, said the theory is plausible.
The bizarre hypothesis suggested Kathleen may have been attacked by an owl outside the house before stumbling indoors and collapsing from blood loss. Investigators reportedly found microscopic owl feathers and unusual scalp wounds that some believed did not match a typical fall.
Many dismissed the theory as unbelievable, while others became convinced it was the missing piece of the puzzle.
The series has a huge 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with fans applauding everything from the stellar cast to sheer detail revealed.
One fan wrote: "With spectacular performances and a new perspective, The Staircase is a compelling retelling of already known events."
Another person shared, "This version of the Staircase is riveting and brilliantly acted from start to finish. And if you haven't watched the docuseries, you can approach the material from a fresh, unbiased angle."
A third added: "An absolute masterpiece."
Michael Peterson ultimately entered an Alford plea in 2017, meaning he maintained his innocence while acknowledging prosecutors likely had enough evidence to convict him. He was sentenced to time served (86 months) and released.
To this day, Kathleen Peterson’s death remains unsolved in the eyes of many people.
The Staircase drama series is currently available to stream on HBO, Prime Video and Apple TV, while the documentary can be watched on Netflix.