Antonio Campos designed the crime drama series, The Staircase, with a plan of 13 episodes, the basic storyline of the mini-series is about Michael Peterson, a crime novelist who is in a pessimistic view of the murder of his wife, Kathleen.
Kathleen was found unconscious at the bottom of the staircase at the place Michael and Kathleen called their home in the winter of 2001. As the investigation takes its course, the family is put into an arduous legal battle.
The story is indeed real, based on the life of Kathleen and Michael Peterson. Let’s dive deeper into the details of their lives.
Cast
The main cast includes Colin Firth, an English actor in charge of the role of the character Michael Peterson, a novelist. Toni Collette, an Australian actress, producer, singer, and songwriter, is seen to be playing the role of Kathleen. Michael Stewart Stuhlbarg is playing the role of Michael Peterson’s lawyer. The others include Dane Dehaan playing the role of Clayton Peterson, Olivia DeJonge plays the role of Caitlin Atwater, who is Kathleen’s daughter from her first marriage, Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff, Michael’s adopted daughter, Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff, Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace Hunt Zamperini, Kathleen’s sister, Tim Guinee as Bill Peterson.
Who Was Kathleen Peterson?
Belonging to the Hunt family, Kathleen was born on February 21, 1953. She graduated with high ranks from her high school J.P McCaskey High School; and was the first female student to be get into Duke’s engineering school. She met the novelist first in 1986 and 3 years later moved in together. In 1997, Kathleen and Michael tried to merge their families.
From her first marriage, Kathleen had a single biological daughter, Caitlin, who initially had supported her stepfather in the proceedings.
Michael’s Adopted Daughters
Michael had two adopted daughters – Margaret Ratliff and Martha Ratliff. Martha and Margaret were the daughters of a friend of Michael, Elizabeth, she was a neighbor and on November 25, 1985 she was found dead.
What Happened To Kathleen?
Kathleen was unconscious when found by her husband Michael Peterson; on December 9, 2001, at the bottom of the stairs in their home. Michael had called 911 two times and, on the first call, had claimed that Kathleen was still breathing, but the second time he claimed that she wasn’t breathing anymore.
She faced the cruelty at 48 and was dead. Michael reported earlier that, the night of the ill fate; they were drinking wine, after which Kathleen went to bed, and he reportedly stayed out for a smoke.
The 13-episode mini-series will be bring on the 6th and 7th episodes on May 26 2022, and June 2 2022, respectively, on HBO.
