Local

Photo gallery: Comparing HBO’s ‘The Staircase’ cast to those they portray

By Brooke Cain
Michael Peterson (center) is surrounded by family members and reporters as he walks into the Durham County Courthouse to turn himself in for in connection with the death of his wife Kathleen Peterson.
Michael Peterson (center) is surrounded by family members and reporters as he walks into the Durham County Courthouse to turn himself in for in connection with the death of his wife Kathleen Peterson. Herald Sun file photo

READ MORE

Prime Time for True Crime

We love to play detective, which might explain why Durham’s most notorious murder trial — did author Michael Peterson kill his wife Kathleen? — is the setting for another true-crime TV miniseries, this time on HBO Max. What really happened to the people and places involved? How much of what we’ll see on “The Staircase” will mirror reality? And why does society obsess over crime stories?

Expand All
The Peterson murder case gets another series. Why are we so obsessed with true crime?

The Peterson murder case gets another series. Why are we so obsessed with true crime?
A ‘Staircase’ timeline from Kathleen Peterson’s death to her husband’s trial and plea

A ‘Staircase’ timeline from Kathleen Peterson’s death to her husband’s trial and plea
‘The Staircase’ updates: Whatever happened to key people and Peterson’s Durham house?

‘The Staircase’ updates: Whatever happened to key people and Peterson’s Durham house?
HBO Max’s ‘Staircase’ series: What to expect vs. the Netflix version, and how to watch

HBO Max’s ‘Staircase’ series: What to expect vs. the Netflix version, and how to watch
Photo gallery: Comparing HBO’s ‘The Staircase’ cast to those they portray

Photo gallery: Comparing HBO’s ‘The Staircase’ cast to those they portray

With the release of the new eight-episode HBO Max limited series “The Staircase,” based in part on the Netflix documentary series of the same name, attention turns once again to Durham: where Kathleen Peterson bled to death two decades ago at the bottom of a staircase in her Durham mansion, and her husband Michael went on trial for her murder.

Unlike the Netflix documentary series, HBO’s retelling from creator/producer/writer/director Antonio Campos is a dramatization, with actors — many of them quite notable — playing the parts of real people in the case.

Here’s a look at some of the cast of “The Staircase” alongside photos of the real people they portray.

Michael Peterson

Michael Peterson (center) is surrounded by family members and reporters as he walks into the Durham County Courthouse to turn himself in for in connection with the death of his wife Kathleen Peterson.
Michael Peterson (center) is surrounded by family members and reporters as he walks into the Durham County Courthouse to turn himself in for in connection with the death of his wife Kathleen Peterson. Herald Sun file photo


Colin Firth as Michael Peterson in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”
Colin Firth as Michael Peterson in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.” HBO/Warner Bros

Kathleen Peterson

Kathleen Peterson seen in an undated photo.
Kathleen Peterson seen in an undated photo. Handout photo


Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson and Colin Firth as Michael Peterson in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”
Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson and Colin Firth as Michael Peterson in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”

David Rudolf

Attorney David Rudolf, defendant Michael Peterson and attorney Thomas Maher listen to Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson as the fifth week of jury selection came to a close Friday in Peterson’s murder trial.
Attorney David Rudolf, defendant Michael Peterson and attorney Thomas Maher listen to Superior Court Judge Orlando Hudson as the fifth week of jury selection came to a close Friday in Peterson’s murder trial. Chuck Liddy File photo


Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf, Colin Firth as Michael Peterson and Justice Leak as Tom Maher in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”
Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf, Colin Firth as Michael Peterson and Justice Leak as Tom Maher in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.” HBO/Warner Bros
Defense attorney David Rudolf (right) argues a point during a hearing for Michael Peterson (left) in 2003.
Defense attorney David Rudolf (right) argues a point during a hearing for Michael Peterson (left) in 2003. File photo
Colin Firth as Michael Peterson and Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”
Colin Firth as Michael Peterson and Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.” HBO/Warner Bros

Bill Peterson



Michael Peterson (right) speaks with brother Bill Peterson (center) and son Todd Peterson (left) before the start of court proceedings May 29, 2003.
Michael Peterson (right) speaks with brother Bill Peterson (center) and son Todd Peterson (left) before the start of court proceedings May 29, 2003. Chuck Liddy File photo
Tim Guinee as Bill Peterson, Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf, Colin Firth as Michael Peterson and Justice Leak as Tom Maher in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”
Tim Guinee as Bill Peterson, Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf, Colin Firth as Michael Peterson and Justice Leak as Tom Maher in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.” HBO/Warner Bros

The Peterson and Ratliff children

A 2002 photo shows the Peterson children at their father’s Forest Hills home in Durham. From left: Clayton Peterson, Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff and Margaret Ratliff.
A 2002 photo shows the Peterson children at their father’s Forest Hills home in Durham. From left: Clayton Peterson, Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff and Margaret Ratliff. Chuck Liddy File photo
Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff and Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”
Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff and Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.” HBO/Warner Bros
Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff and Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”
Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff and Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.” HBO/Warner Bros

Prosecutors Jim Hardin and Freda Black

Durham District Attorney Jim Hardin (left) confers with his assistant Freda Black as the defense cross examines a prosecution witness Wednesday July 9,2003 during the Michael Peterson murder trial.
Durham District Attorney Jim Hardin (left) confers with his assistant Freda Black as the defense cross examines a prosecution witness Wednesday July 9,2003 during the Michael Peterson murder trial. Sara Davis File photo
Parker Posey as Freda Black and Cullen Moss as Jim Hardin in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.”
Parker Posey as Freda Black and Cullen Moss as Jim Hardin in the HBO Max series “The Staircase.” HBO/Warner Bros

More on HBO’s ‘The Staircase’

For full coverage of HBO Max’s “The Staircase” and other background on the death of Kathleen Peterson and the murder trial of Michael Peterson, visit: newsobserver.com/topics/staircase

This story was originally published May 3, 2022 at 6:30 PM.

Follow More of Our Reporting on Staircase: Kathleen Peterson’s death and Michael Peterson’s murder trial

See all stories
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER

Prime Time for True Crime

We love to play detective, which might explain why Durham’s most notorious murder trial — did author Michael Peterson kill his wife Kathleen? — is the setting for another true-crime TV miniseries, this time on HBO Max. What really happened to the people and places involved? How much of what we’ll see on “The Staircase” will mirror reality? And why does society obsess over crime stories?

Back to Story