Showrunner Reflects on Adapting 'The Staircase' for TV from the Petersons' Story

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for Season 1, Episodes 18 of The Staircase.

The gripping true-crime saga behind Kathleen Petersons death has been revisited for years, and its many unexpected turns enabled Antonio Campos to craft an intense eight-episode scripted series for HBO Max, now also available on Netflix. Campos who served as writer, director, and executive producer first learned about Michael and Kathleen Petersons case when it was being considered for a feature film.

I was instantly fascinated, Campos recalls. Having no previous exposure to the case or the original documentary, he found himself captivated by the mystery: a woman discovered bleeding at the bottom of a staircase and her husband quickly becoming the prime suspect. What drew him in even further was Michael Peterson himself, portrayed in the series by Colin Firth.

Campos was intrigued not only by Michael as a character but also by the documentary team that embedded themselves with the family for two years. According to him, even the filmmakers disagreed on what they believed happened the night Kathleen died, holding conflicting views of Michael. One of the documentary editors even developed romantic feelings for him while working on the project.

These layered dynamics convinced Campos to adapt the story into a scripted series, one that examines the Peterson family as well as the wider circle of individuals involved in the case. The show also presents multiple possible scenarios explaining Kathleens fatal injuries.

The staircase is the center of everything, Campos explains. To portray it accurately, the production team measured the real staircase at 1810 Cedar and constructed three replicas: a pristine version, one smeared with blood, and a green-screen version used for reenacting the various theories surrounding Kathleens death.

These theories included a fall, a violent confrontation with Michael, and the now-famous owl attack scenario in which Kathleen panics, bleeds, and slips while searching for towels. The green-screen model allowed precise control over blood placement and provided a cushioned structure for stunt performers.

Campos describes the staircase as a recurring, almost haunted setting a cramped, unsettling place that mirrors the emotional strain the Peterson family endured over the years. Its a giant puzzle, he says, and the series pieces together each fragment to present a multifaceted retelling of the tragedy.

The limited series The Staircase is now available to stream on HBO Max and Netflix.

Analyzing the Intricacies of "The Staircase" Series

The adaptation of the Kathleen Peterson case into the eight-episode series "The Staircase" marks a critical point in the portrayal of true crime on television. Antonio Campos’ decision to present multiple perspectives on the case—ranging from a fall, a violent altercation, to the owl attack theory—adds a layer of complexity that extends beyond the facts of the case into the realm of human psychology and ambiguity. The show's representation of the infamous staircase, symbolically and literally at the center of the mystery, is an apt metaphor for the fractured truth that viewers are left to navigate.

Campos, who was initially unfamiliar with the case, delves into the conflicting viewpoints held by the documentary team, highlighting the uncertainty that shrouded the investigation from the start. This is crucial because it underscores how truth in high-profile cases can often be subjective, influenced by the lens through which it's viewed. The decision to make the staircase a recurring visual motif emphasizes the idea that this tragedy is not easily understood, nor is it likely to be resolved in a way that satisfies all parties involved.

The complexity of human emotions and relationships, especially as they unfold under the scrutiny of public and legal eyes, is portrayed with striking realism. The portrayal of Michael Peterson by Colin Firth is particularly significant, as it challenges the viewer to question the nature of guilt and innocence. His interactions with the documentary filmmakers add an extra dimension to the narrative, blurring the line between truth and manipulation in the quest for answers.

In sum, "The Staircase" is a compelling exploration of a case that has captivated public interest for years. By choosing to explore multiple possible theories, Campos avoids presenting a definitive conclusion, leaving the audience to reflect on the uncertainty that remains around Kathleen Peterson’s tragic death. The series succeeds not only in recounting a complex story but also in illustrating how our perceptions of truth are often shaped by the narratives we construct around them.

Sources:

• ‘The Staircase’ Showrunner Reflects on Adapting the Petersons’ Story for TV