Fallen woman

Colin Firth and Toni Collette star in a gripping true-crime story that shocked the world

- STEVEN PERKINS

NEW DRAMA

The Staircase

Thursday, 9pm, 10.20pm & 11.35pm, Sky Atlantic

True-crime documentary The Staircase gained worldwide attention on Netflix in 2018 when it chronicled the investigation into the suspicious death of Kathleen Peterson at her home in Durham, North Carolina, in 2001.

Kathleen’s body was found at the foot of the stairs, her husband Michael claiming that she must have tripped and fallen. However, an autopsy revealed injuries to the back of Kathleen’s head consistent with an attack using a blunt instrument. As Michael was arrested for Kathleen’s murder, shocking details soon emerged about his private life…

Sky Atlantic’s new eight-part drama, also called The Staircase, stars Toni Collette as Kathleen and Colin Firth as Michael. Inspired by the original documentary, the series – which also stars Game of Thrones’ Sophie Turner – blends facts with speculation to dramatise the weeks before Kathleen’s death, along with the subsequent investigation and sensational court case.

TV&Satellite Week caught up with Collette, 49, for a video interview to find out more…

What made you want to portray Kathleen?

I think her husband Michael is somewhat glorified within their family, and certainly in the documentary she was objectified and really nothing more than a victim. This show is much more balanced in terms of its perspective. It’s as much about the breakdown of their marriage as it is about what happens after her death.

How is Kathleen shown in this series?