The Staircase, an eight-episode drama starring Colin Firth, Toni Collette and Sophie Turner, is based on a real-life case from 2001. The series originally aired on HBO and Sky Atlantic in 2022 and is now available to stream for free on ITVX.
Real-Life Inspiration
The series revolves around Michael Peterson, a crime writer who called 911 to report that his wife Kathleen had fallen down the stairs at their North Carolina home. An autopsy revealed severe head trauma, leading to Peterson being charged with murder in 2003. The drama is based on the 2004 French documentary The Staircase, which gave filmmakers access to Peterson's defence team and family.
Legal Outcome
After a prolonged legal saga, Peterson agreed to a plea of voluntary manslaughter in February 2017. This plea allows a defendant to maintain innocence while acknowledging sufficient evidence for a conviction. Because Peterson had already served more time than the sentence required, he did not return to prison.
Critical Reception
The series has received rave reviews since its initial release. One IMdB user called it “brilliant” and predicted an “Emmy sweep,” adding: “This series was better than the documentary. Wow, just wow.” Another viewer described it as “haunting, disturbing and beautiful,” while a third praised it as a “masterclass in acting.” A fellow viewer said: “I had to remind myself to take a breath. The emotion and acting was superb. Colin Firth was brilliant. The writers, producers did a great job. Didn't want to stop watching.”
