The Staircase Colin Firth

A wave of TV dramas inspired by true crime has debuted over the past two weeks, from FX's "Under the Banner of Heaven" to Hulu's upcoming "Candy." Now, HBO Max is entering the conversation with a limited series called "The Staircase," starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette.

Based on a 2004 documentary that spanned years, this story is about novelist Michael Peterson (Firth) who was accused of murdering his wife Kathleen (Collette). The show tells the decade-spanning true-crime saga of their life together.

How to watch

If you're a fan of true crime TV dramas, you'll love The Staircase, which reimagines the death of Michael Peterson after his wife Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of their staircase in 2001. The case, which spawned dozens of podcasts and a hugely popular documentary, has now been turned into an HBO Max miniseries starring Oscar winner Colin Firth and Emmy-winning actress Toni Collette.

The series is directed by Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohn, who wrote the script based on Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's 2004 docuseries of the same name. The reimagined story centers on Peterson's 16-year saga, starting with his first-degree murder charge and spanning through the trial and to his eventual release in 2017.

It's not often that we see a true crime story given the spotlight on TV, so when we do it is usually a major event. In the case of The Staircase, it's a star-studded drama that takes place over a long period of time and has plenty of potential twists for viewers to enjoy.

Thankfully, it's possible to watch The Staircase on HBO Max, which is available to subscribers of the streaming service and most media players and smart TV brands. New episodes of the limited series will debut on Thursdays, so you can watch them on the go when you have an internet connection or access to a streaming device with the HBO Max app installed.

You can also stream the series on a variety of other platforms, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, you'll need to pay for a subscription to those services in order to watch The Staircase on these platforms.

While it's difficult to say exactly how much detail will be incorporated into the limited series, it will likely cover a lot of ground and provide a unique take on an incredibly complex crime that was previously covered in many different ways. The Staircase will probably be one of the best true crime TV dramas to date, so if you're interested in this show it's worth watching. You can watch the premiere of The Staircase on May 5 or start binging it from the beginning by signing up for an ad-supported HBO Max subscription.

Where to watch

If you love true crime shows on TV, then you’ll want to add The Staircase to your list. Starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette, the series follows the murder of Michael Peterson and his wife Kathleen. It’s a story that’s been analyzed in podcasts and a wildly popular documentary by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, but this is the first time we’re seeing it told in a television drama.

Based on the French documentary of the same name, the HBO Max limited series features an impressive cast of heavy hitters. Oscar-winner Colin Firth (Pride & Prejudice, Bridget Jones’s Diary) plays Michael Peterson and Emmy-winner Toni Collette (Pieces of Her, Knives Out) portrays his wife Kathleen.

The story begins in 2001 when novelist Michael Peterson calls police to report that his wife is found unconscious and covered in blood at the bottom of their staircase. Soon, suspicions mount, and Michael becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his wife.

There’s also a dark secret bubbling underneath the surface of this idyllic family. It doesn’t take long for the mystery to be resolved, however.

What’s more, the show has been praised by critics for its bold depiction of this complex case. The limited series focuses on Michael and his family in North Carolina, from the initial accusations to his trial to his conviction.

Several episodes of the original documentary have already been released, and you can stream them on Netflix in the US and UK. If you want to watch the new series, you can watch on HBO Max, which offers an ad-supported plan for $10 a month or the slightly pricier ad-free option at $15.

The Staircase is set to premiere on HBO Max on Thursday, May 5. Each episode will air on Thursdays through June 9. You can also watch the limited series on most media players, mobile devices and smart TV brands.

The Staircase is a limited series that stars Oscar-winner Colin Firth, Emmy-winner Toni Collette and a host of top actors. The show is a dramatic retelling of the real-life Michael Peterson case that has been explored in multiple true-crime documentaries and podcasts. With an outstanding cast and compelling storytelling, The Staircase is one of the most complex true-crime dramas on TV.

What to watch

The staircase colin firth is a new HBO Max series that starts streaming Thursday, May 5. This true-crime drama, inspired by a French documentary, follows a socialite novelist (Firth) who finds his life thrown into chaos when his wife Kathleen (Collette) is found unconscious at the bottom of their stairs. She’s later declared dead — and Michael is suspect number one.

The story of Peterson’s life has been the subject of multiple headlines and a documentary, so it’s no surprise that Firth, who’s a master at playing a convicted killer, is a natural fit for this role. The actor stepped into the role in 2021, and he’s already garnered universal acclaim from critics.

In the Staircase, Firth plays Michael Peterson, a convicted criminal who’s defending himself against a murder charge in his hometown of North Carolina. The scripted miniseries, which is created by Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohn, follows the real-life events of the 2001 death of Peterson’s wife.

As for the cast, it’s a star-studded one, with Toni Collette, Colin Firth and Parker Posey all taking on the roles of Kathleen Peterson, her husband Michael and their daughter Margaret. Additional stars include Juliette Binoche, Dane DeHaan, Olivia DeJonge, Rosemarie DeWitt, Tim Guinee, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sophie Turner and Odessa Young.

Aside from being a powerful tale of domestic bliss, The Staircase also features a dark secret that’s brewing beneath the surface. The official trailer hones in on this notion, and we’re so here for it.

There’s a lot to like about this drama, including Firth’s stellar performance and an impressive array of other actors. It’s a reminder that the best true-crime shows aren’t always ones that take the easy route.

While the show isn’t quite as riveting as some other recent true-crime stories, it’s a must-watch for fans of high-profile drama and star-studded casting. It’s the latest in a long line of recent shows that tackle this kind of topic.

Though it might seem a little too melodramatic for some viewers, The Staircase isn’t afraid to take on this story with a healthy dose of realism. That’s what makes it so compelling, as Firth and Collette’s characters reveal the truth behind this tragic event.

Streaming options

True-crime series are popular on TV right now, and the latest to hit streaming is one of the most gripping yet. It's a compelling story about an award-winning novelist who finds himself in a murder mystery after his wife is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their North Carolina home.

Based on a 2004 documentary, the eight-episode HBO Max miniseries The Staircase is adapted by Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohn. It stars Colin Firth as Michael Peterson and Toni Collette as his wife Kathleen. Other cast members include Oscar-winning actress Juliette Binoche, Dane DeHaan, Olivia DeJonge, Rosemarie DeWitt, Tim Guinee, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sophie Turner and Vincent Vermignon.

The Staircase is a compelling, true-crime miniseries that follows the shocking case of a wealthy American family who seemingly have everything. But when the mother of two falls down a staircase at their sprawling home, suspicions are raised about her death. The ensuing drama erupts among the entire extended family, leading to more secrets being revealed and even more suspicions about the couple.

Created by Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohn, The Staircase is based on Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's 2004 docuseries of the same name. The limited TV series focuses on Michael and Kathleen Peterson's sprawling North Carolina family, their suspicious deaths and the trial that led to their convictions.

You can watch The Staircase on HBO Max, which streams new episodes weekly Thursdays through June 9. It's available to stream on most media players and mobile devices as well as smart TV brands. You can sign up for an ad-supported plan for $10 a month, or a less-expensive ad-free plan for $15.

In Australia, you can watch The Staircase on BINGE and Foxtel Now, which both offer the series for free. You can also subscribe to a streaming service through Telstra, which has its own Foxtel channel and offers the series for a reduced monthly fee.

The Staircase is an eight-episode miniseries that's based on the 2004 documentary by Jean-Xavier de Lestrade and Denis Poncet. It's directed by Antonio Campos and co-written with Maggie Cohn.