Documentary series · SundanceTV
The Staircase
Who's in it
Cast
The principal ensemble across the run of the series.
The Nutevio profile
TV DNA
How The Staircase actually feels to watch, measured on the traits our editors track across every series.
Signature profile
The Staircase reads strongest on Character Depth, Bingeability and Tension.
How fully written and psychologically layered the ensemble is.
How hard it is to stop after one episode.
The sustained pressure the series keeps you under.
How often an episode ends on a hook you can't ignore.
How much the series is designed to affect you.
How much each hour depends on the one before it.
The scale, internal logic and texture of the world.
How often the series is genuinely funny, by design.
Visual ambition — scale, craft and set-piece filmmaking.
The story
What it's about
Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, presents a gripping courtroom thriller, offering a rare and revealing inside look at a high-profile murder trial. In 2001, author Michael Peterson was arraigned for the murder of his wife Kathleen, whose body was discovered lying in a pool of blood on the stairway of their home. Granted unusual access to Peterson's lawyers, home and immediate family, de Lestrade's cameras capture the defense team as it considers its strategic options. The series is an engrossing look at contemporary American justice that features more twists than a legal bestseller.
Where the series peaks
Best Episodes
The hours that define the show, ranked by audience response and editorial signal.
S01E08
The Verdict
Is Michael Peterson guilty or not guilty? The jury delivers its verdict regarding the mysterious death of his wife, Kathleen.
S01E13
Flawed Justice
Michael speaks to a reporter about the reasons behind his plea. Later, Kathleen's sister delivers a statement of defiance in court.
S01E07
The Blow Poke Returns
Kathleen's sisters pore over Michael's writings. Jurors visit the staircase at Michael's home. A vital piece of evidence reappears.
S01E09
Reopening the Case
Eight years later, the possibility that a key witness for the prosecution may have misled the jury could prompt the need for a new trial.
S01E11
Looking for Closure
Following two and a half years of house arrest, Michael must decide whether to push for a plea or risk his freedom with a new trial.
S01E12
Between Anger and Despair
Their faith in the justice system forever shaken, Michael and his family discuss what they can hope to achieve by continuing the fight.
Recently aired
Latest Episodes
S01E11
Looking for Closure
S01E12
Between Anger and Despair
S01E13
Flawed Justice
S01E09
Reopening the Case
S01E10
The Last Chance
S01E08
The Verdict
Behind the series
Created by
Showrunners, creators, executive producers and the writers who set the voice of the series.
The craft
Key Crew
Directing, writing, production, camera, music and editing.
Executive production
- Jean-Xavier de LestradeProducer
Writing
- Jean-Xavier de LestradeWriter
Direction
- Jean-Xavier de LestradeDirector
Where to watch
Streaming
Availability verified against regional listings.
- NetflixStreaming
- Netflix Standard with AdsStreaming
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Where to go from here
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Never stop watching
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