Based on a true story, the HBO Max miniseries The Staircase stars an all-star cast who remarkably resembles their on-screen counterparts. The tragic four-part series tells the story of Kathleen Peterson’s death in 2001 and the painful legal fallout that followed. Michael Peterson, Kathleen’s husband, was found guilty of killing her and received a life sentence without the possibility of parole after one of the longest trials in North Carolina history. The Staircase poses doubts about what actually occurred, much like the original 2004 true-crime documentary series of the same name.
The tragedy that Kathleen Peterson’s death at the bottom of their staircase on the evening of December 9, 2001, turned their family’s seemingly routine lives in Durham, North Carolina, upside down. As Michael was ultimately found guilty of murdering his wife, the incident and the accompanying murder trial attracted national attention. One recent explanation regarding the case’s evidence contends that Kathleen may have fallen down the stairs after being attacked by a barred owl outside their house. The case’s evidence is still hotly contested.
The story was first told in a French documentary, similarly titled The Staircase, as depicted in the HBO Max miniseries. Two further episodes were eventually added to the initial eight in 2013. When the documentary debuted on Netflix, the show underwent another revamp, and three further episodes were added in 2018. Numerous well-known American true-crime television shows, such as Forensic Files, Dateline NBC, and Cold Case, also focused on the Kathleen Peterson murder case. Here is a comparison of how physically like the real Michael Peterson, Kathleen Peterson, and other case participants are to the actors who play them in HBO Max’s The Staircase.
Colin Firth As Michael Peterson
Michael Peterson seemed to be a successful and content man. He had a distinguished military career before turning to writing, becoming a newspaper columnist, and running for mayor. In all respects, Michael led a typical life and loved his wife and kids. But his world was turned upside down when his wife Kathleen passed away.
Michael was found guilty in 2003 and given a life sentence without the chance of parole. In 2011, after the legality of the trial was questioned, he was ultimately released on bond and required to wear an ankle monitor. Michael struck an Alford agreement in 2017, pleading guilt without sufficient evidence to avoid further punishment, despite maintained his innocence for the entirety of the case.
Actor Colin Firth has a solid reputation in the film and television industries. Firth is well-known for his dramatic parts in movies like A Single Man, The King’s Speech, and his most recent appearance in Operation Mincemeat. He has received numerous honours throughout his career, including an Academy Award, two BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe. In recognition of his contributions to the dramatic arts, he was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2011.
Dane DeHaan As Clayton Peterson
The oldest son of Michael Peterson is Clayton Peterson. Clayton got out of trouble and is now married with two kids after doing time in prison for attempting to firebomb the Duke University administrative building. Clayton, like the majority of his siblings, stood by his father during the murder trial and prison sentence, just as his father had done the same for him.
Throughout his career, Dane DeHaan has made appearances in a wide range of movies and television shows. DeHaan has played a variety of characters over the course of his acting career, including the evil Green Goblin in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as well as the psychological horror film A Cure for Wellness and the space opera Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
Michael Stuhlbarg As David Rudolf
Michael Peterson’s defence lawyer throughout his trial was David Rudolf. Rudolf is an expert at reporting on high-profile cases. He contributed to the overturning of Alan Gell’s erroneous conviction, the restitution of hard-earned money to Vietnamese immigrants Hai and Oanh Le Nguyen after it had been taken by the federal government, and the acquittal of numerous alleged killers. Rudolf, who had a strong conviction in Michael’s innocence, continued to stand up for him even after his client was able to pay for his services.
Character actor Michael Stuhlbarg is well-known and has had a very successful career. Following his debut performance in A Serious Man in 2009, Stuhlbarg rose to fame for his roles in The Shape of Water, which won the Best Picture Oscar, and Call Me By Your Name. Additionally, Stuhlbarg has appeared in a number of television shows like Sy Feltz in Fargo and Richard Sackler in Dopesick.
Odessa Young As Martha Ratliff
Martha, like her sister Margaret, was not the Petersons’ biological child, but she has remained devoted to her adopted father for many years. Before Kathleen’s death and its aftermath turned their life upside down, Martha had already gone for college in San Francisco. In support of their father, Margaret and Martha frequently participated in interviews and films.
Odessa Young began her career in Australian television before making her film debut in The Daughter opposite Geoffrey Rush and Sam Neill. Her filmography has now grown to include parts in films including Shirley, A Million Little Pieces, and The Professor. The Stand, a recent television adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, featured Young as Frannie Goldsmith.
Olivia DeJonge As Caitlin Atwater
The biological child of Kathleen Peterson and her former spouse, Fred Atwater, is Caitlin Atwater. Caitlin did not support Michael like her stepsiblings did. Although she initially backed him, autopsy images of her mother’s body made her a crucial witness for the prosecution. Caitlin later sued Michael Peterson for wrongful death, and in 2008, she was given a $25 million settlement.
With her 2014 feature film debut, The Sisterhood of Night, Olivia DeJonge started a career in the cinema and television industries. Since then, DeJonge has had appearances in The Visit and Better Watch Out films as well as The Society on television. Priscilla Presley will be portrayed by DeJonge in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis biography.
Parker Posey As Freda Black
The primary prosecutor against Michael Peterson was the former Durham County prosecutor Freda Black. Black was crucial in obtaining the murder conviction, capitalising on Peterson’s bisexuality to provide a compelling motive that convinced the jury. Black died in 2018 from end-stage liver cancer brought on by long-term drinking.
Veteran actress Parker Posey has a very strong filmography. She has starred in a wide range of movies and television shows, but she is best recognised for her work in Blade: Trinity, Dazed and Confused, and Scream 3. Posey has also provided voiceovers for cartoons, including appearances in episodes of The Simpsons, Futurama, and Skylanders Academy.
Patrick Schwarzenegger As Todd Peterson
The eldest child of Michael Peterson and Patricia Sue, his ex-wife, is Todd Peterson. He was by his father’s side from the very beginning of the case, helping him navigate both the immediate aftermath of Kathleen’s death and the trial process. Todd was operating the Futazi website at the time of the event, which offered kids advise on a variety of subjects.
Patrick Schwarzenegger, the son of actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, is no stranger to the entertainment industry. At the age of 10, he made his debut in The Benchwarmers. Later, Schwarzenegger acted in films like Moxie, Daniel Isn’t Real, and Midnight Sun. Schwarzenegger will also play Golden Boy in the follow-up series to The Boys.
Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace Hunt Zamperini
Like Caitlin Atwater, Candace Hunt Zamperini was adamant that her sister Kathleen’s death was Michael’s fault. Candace played a key role in the prosecution of Michael, even suggesting that the fire poker she had given her sister may have been used as a murder weapon herself. Candace has continued to be outspoken about her opinions, giving interviews and giving interviews in documentaries frequently.
Over the course of her career, Rosemarie DeWitt has made numerous appearances in comedies and horror movies. The television series Standoff, in which DeWitt co-starred with her future husband, Ron Livingston, and The United States of Tara, are among her best-known credits. Additionally, DeWitt appeared in the 2015 Poltergeist reboot.
Sophie Turner As Margaret Ratliff
Margaret Ratliff cherished her adoptive mother and stayed devoted to her adoptive father throughout the trial, despite the fact that she was not Michael or Kathleen Peterson’s real child. While Margaret and her sister Martha’s biological parents passed away when the girls were young, Michael and his then-wife Patricia Peterson, who were living in Germany at the time, took the children in.
Sansa Stark was Sophie Turner’s first acting role when she appeared in Game of Thrones in 2011. Since then, Turner has starred in films including Barely Lethal and The Thirteenth Tale as Jean Grey in the X-Men series. She also provided the voice for the animated series The Prince on HBO Max.
Toni Collette As Kathleen Peterson
Kathleen Peterson was a devoted mother and a well-known professional. She became a telecommunications executive after being the first woman to be admitted to Duke University’s engineering department. At the foot of the steps in the Petersons’ mansion in North Carolina, Kathleen, who was just 48 years old, passed away from blood loss.
Another seasoned actor with a solid reputation is Toni Collette. Collette made her film debut in the 1990s, and her portrayal of Lynn Sear in The Sixth Sense helped her become well-known. She has since made appearances in a wide range of films, including Rian Johnson’s Knives Out, Little Miss Sunshine, and Hereditary. Throughout her career, Collette has also won numerous honours, such as a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe.
