The Staircase cast: Who stars in the HBO Max series?

THE STAIRCASE on HBO Max is a dramatization of the Netflix documentary of the same name.

The TV retelling of the real-life crime events boasts some recognizable stars and fans are curious to know more about the cast members.

The Staircase cast: Who stars in the HBO Max series?

HBO Max commenced the production of The Staircase in September 2020.

Series co-creator Antonio Campos told of the show: "This has been a project I have been working on in one way or another since 2008."

"It's been a long and winding road, but well worth the wait to be able to find partners like HBO Max, Annapurna, co-showrunner Maggie Cohn, and the incredible Colin Firth to dramatize such a complex true-life story."

The show's principal photography and shooting took place between June 2021 and November 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia.

On March 29, HBO Max made The Staircase's official trailer available for viewers anticipating the program.

The official synopsis attached to the series stated: "Based on a true story, The Staircase explores the life of Michael Peterson, his sprawling North Carolina family, and the suspicious death of his wife, Kathleen Peterson."

Colin Firth as Michael Peterson

British-born Firth — who won an Oscar for his role in The King's Speech — plays Michael Peterson, an American novelist who was convicted of murdering his wife, Kathleen, in 2003.

Eight years later, he was granted a new trial, took an Alford plea, and was released.

Peterson infamously said that he believed an owl killed his wife.

Colin Firth also starred in Kingsman: The Secret Service, Shakespeare in Love, Bridget Jones's Diary, and Mamma Mia!

Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson

Collette, an Oscar-nominated Australian actress who first broke into the mainstream with her role in Muriel's Wedding, plays Kathleen Peterson.

Kathleen Peterson died on December 9, 2001, and it was her death that sparked the investigation into her husband, Michael Peterson.

Her death also re-opened an investigation into the death of Elizabeth Ratliff.

Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff

Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner also joins The Staircase's star-studded roster.

Announced as a main cast member, Turner — who legally changed her last name to Jonas when she married pop star, Joe Jonas — plays Margaret Ratliff, one of Peterson's adopted daughters.

Margaret Ratliff's mother was Elizabeth Ratliff.

Parker Posey as Freda Black

Acclaimed actress Parker Posey — best known for her work with satirist Christopher Guest — plays prosecutor Freda Black.

Black was known as a fierce prosecutor.

She died at the age of 57 after battling alcoholism and end-stage liver failure due to alcoholism.

Rosemary DeWitt as Candace Zamperini

Rosemary DeWitt is coming off her successful run on Little Fires Everywhere to join The Staircase cast.

DeWitt plays Candace Zamperini, Kathleen Peterson's sister.

Zamperini is a controversial figure because of her demonstrable rage towards Michael Peterson throughout the trial.

Other actors who are a part of the cast of The Staircase include:

• Juliette Binoche
• Cullen Moss
• Odessa Young
• Patrick Schwarzenegger
• Olivia DeJonge
• Dana DeHaan
• Michael Stuhlbarg
• Tim Guinee
• Joel McKinnon Miller

When does The Staircase premiere?

The program's storyline will be carried out for a total of eight episodes.

Debuting on May 5, 2022, The Staircase is exclusively available through an HBO Max subscription.

In the UK, the series will be available to subscribers of Sky or Now TV.