Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! The two got married in 1968 and eventually had two sons, Todd and Clayton. "The Staircase" revolves around the death of Peterson's wife Kathleen Peterson, who was found dead at the bottom of a . In The Staircase, Clayton is played by Dane DeHaan from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. How the HBO Max series reenacted one of the most outlandish theories in true crimeand made it pretty believable. His other credit includes Hell on Wheels and The Punisher. In 2001 the woman Ratliff called mom, Kathleen Peterson, was found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs in the familys Durham, North Carolina, home. Scene Stealer: The True Lies of Elisabeth Finch, Part 1, A guide to the hidden references in this buzzy anthologys new episodes, from first-season callbacks to what, Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff, and Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff in HBO Maxs. He was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, and he also supported his father during the trial. Stuhlbarg has alsoplayedroles in various television series, including Sy Feltz inFargoand Richard Sackler inDopesick. Kathleen had one daughter named Caitlin from her first marriage to physicist Fred Atwater, per PopSugar. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Kathleen and Michael married in 1997 and blended their families, living a seemingly happy life. Theseries was updated again when thedocumentary was released onNetflix, with another three episodes tacked on in 2018. However, the similarities between Elizabeth's death and Kathleen's were too hard to ignore, and Elizabeth Ratliff's body was exhumed and a second post mortem carried out by the Durham Medical Examiner. Tim Guinee portrays Bill Peterson in HBO Max's The Staircase, Michael Peterson's brother. Initially, Turner's Margaret stands with the fictional Michael Peterson (Colin Firth). Black played an instrumental role in securing the murder conviction, playing on Peterson's bisexuality to create a strong motive that won over the jury. In November of 1985, Michaels family had dinner with Elizabeth and her daughters, Margaret and Martha. Cookie Notice All rights reserved. He was released on time served. Michael Stuhlbarg portrays David Rudolf, Michael Peterson's lawyer in HBO Max's The Staircase. Born two years apart to Air Force Captain George Ratliff and military teacher Elizabeth Ratliff in Germany in the early 1980s, Margaret and Martha lost both their biological parents as toddlers. By Saturday, Michael had softened his feelings toward the director. Here's everything you need to know about each member of the Peterson family, including who plays them in the HBO Max series: Michael Peterson is an author and a military veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Posey has numerous acting credits to her name, including Lost in Space, Search Party, The Good Wife, Boston Legal, and Parks and Recreation. After making her start in Australian television, Odessa Young broke out into the world of film withThe Daughteralongside Geoffrey Rush and Sam Neill. A combination of biology and psychology. The filmmakers began filming Peterson and his family shortly after he was indicted for murder. MP's sexual selection of women explains it. Is it really ethically acceptable to take a living person, like my child, and then create this fantasy and fiction about them? In fact, in Diane Fanning's book Written in Blood: A True Story of Murder and a Deadly 16-Year Old Secret That Tore a Family Apart, Todd Peterson reportedly said, "They . Caitlin Atwater is the biological daughter of Kathleen Peterson and her ex-husband, Fred Atwater. He had publicly attacked local officials on their handling of criminal matters in newspaper columns, and told his children that he felt having cameras document the trial might safeguard the legal proceedings. Todd appeared most often in the earliest episodes of The Staircase, which began filming not long after Michael was indicted for Kathleen's murder in 2001. Not blunt force trauma to her brain, not a fractured skull, not strangulation, he writes. Emily is an avid fan of Marvel, anime, and horror (especially Stephen King), and is always willing to discuss Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. In 2001, Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in her Durham, NC, mansion. He was busy planning his defense trial after being charged with his late wifes murder. "I think it's really important to see the behind the scenes on why these people are where they are and. Netflix 7/9 Todd Peterson Todd is Clayton's. DeJonge is best known for playing Elle in Netflix's The Society. Discover the best of Charancieu so you can plan your trip right. Before marrying Kathleen, Michael Peterson was married to Patricia Peterson. In the first episode of HBO Maxs .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}The Staircase, the Peterson family is seated around the table for dinner. They did not need to buy the docu rights to have Michael Peterson and his children as characters in the show. That being said, de Lestrade added, I am terribly upset by what Antonio did to them. Following the sudden deaths of Martha and Margaret's parents, Michael became the girls' guardian . The Staircase viewers may also recognize her from Call My Agent!, Chocolat, and The Unbearable Lightness of Being. At first, Caitlin Atwater is a supporter of Peterson but begins to question his innocence after reading her mother's autopsy report. During their marriage, Michael and Patricia became close friends with their neighbors at the time, George and Elizabeth Ratliff. Per Todd's Instagram, he's the president and founder of American Industries . Kathleen died in her Durham, North Carolina home at the bottom of a staircase. Today, Caitlin goes by her married name, Caitlin Clark. After The Staircase debuted on Netflix, Ratliff says she had job interviews where the person questioning her recognized her from the docuseries. Todd is played by Midnight Sun actor Patrick Schwarzenegger. Members of Michael Petersons family say they're feeling retraumatized by the new show. Today, Caitlin Atwater lives in northern Virginia with her family. He pleaded not guilty to the charge but was convicted at trial. Although Margaret Ratliff was not the biological child of either Michael or Kathleen Peterson, she loved her adoptive mother and remained loyal to her adoptive father throughout the trial. Jordon High School newspaper A novelist who had run for mayor in Durham, Michael was leery of getting a fair trial. MP picks women in his life who look like his mother (probably more common than many people are willing to admit). Per The News & Observer, Clay Peterson has two children and lives in Maryland. No, I dont want to be in your documentary., See All the Outfits From the 2023 Met Gala Red Carpet, Why Tucker Carlsons Exit From Fox News Looks Like an Execution, Prince Harry and Prince William Reportedly Still Havent Talked After Spare, Dune: Part Two: An Exclusive First Look at the Sagas Epic Conclusion, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now, From the Archive: Seduced and Abandoned (2014), 2023 Cond Nast. Clayton is the oldest of Michael and Patricia's children. After he was convicted of possessing a destructive device in 1994, Clayton served four years in a federal penitentiary, the Herald Sun reported. Todd appeared most often in the earliest episodes. The family had already been recognized because of the docuseries when it was a cult true-crime favorite. Ultimately, Michael decided to avoid another trial by accepting a plea deal that allowed him to walk free. I really dont give a damn about my own portrayal, says Michael. Posey has also lent her voice to animated series, performingcameos forThe Simpsons,Futurama,andSkylanders Academy. It is unfair. The pair never got back together after their divorce, but Patricia maintained Michael's innocence in both the deaths of Elizabeth Ratliff and Kathleen Peterson up until her own death in 2021, per the Charlotte Observer (more on that in a sec). She is an actress and assistant director, known for Subject (2022), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011). Could Margaret Ratliff Be Michael Peterson's Biological Daughter? The Peterson family has been outspoken about their father's trialand there's a lot to learn about each of them. They didn't think that he would ever be able to get a fair trial from the Durham police or prosecutors. Watch new episodes ofThe Staircaseon HBO Max weekly. The biological parents of Margaret and her sister, Martha,died when the girls were young, and they were taken in by Michael and his then-wife, Patricia Peterson, while the couple was living in Germany. Patricia, Michael's first wife, lived with Michael for several years in Germany, The News & Observer reported. Since MP picks women who looks like his mom, their children can look like his mom also. Brunet, an acclaimed French filmmaker, says HBO Maxs adaptation doesnt accurately represent her 13-year relationship with accused murderer Michael Peterson. After his breakthrough role inA Serious Manin 2009, Stuhlbarg became well known for his performances in such movies asCall Me By Your Name andBest Picture winner The Shape of Water. [] It should not be this way that filmmakers can do whatever they want with your lives [onscreen]. In this case, hes destroyed my family. Michael Peterson was the guardian of Margaret and her sister Martha, played by The Stands Odessa Young, after their parents George and Elizabeth died. The evidence is going to show that prior to her death, Kathleen -- not Michael, but Kathleen -- was the primary financial support for the Peterson - Atwater - Ratliff family. The Bizarre True Story Behind 'The Staircase', Bella Ramsey Sorts Out 'The Last of Us' Finale, Caitlin's lawyer filed another complaint against him. Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace, Kathleen Peterson's sister in HBO Max's The Staircase. The Staircase documentary editor Sophie Brunet never wanted to be a character in HBO Max's adaptation.. Parker Posey stars as Durham County assistant district attorney, the lead prosecutor at Peterson's trial. Toni Collette is another established veteran in the world of acting. I had the documentary-filmmaker brain that understood how great The Staircase documentary wasand then I also had the brain of a human whos gone through great trauma in my life. Though there hasn't been a more recent update on how Todd is handling things, it seems as though he has done just that: moved on with his life far from the cameras. Kathleen went back inside first, and . They just loved each other so much." -- Margaret Ratliff. To this day, Michael says that she died from a tragic fall down the stairs. When Michael was arrested, Caitlin spoke out in support of her stepfather: "My mother and Mike had an absolutely loving relationship and there is no way that either of them would ever wish any sort of harm on the other one," she said, according to Newsweek. HBO Max. When the Ratliffs both died in the 1980s, Michael adopted their daughters, Margaret and Martha, per Newsweek. Michael Peterson has two children, Todd and Clayton Peterson, from his first marriage to Patricia Sue Peterson. And when I got out of the Marines and came back, I never wanted to see a war movienot even a good one like Platoon. From the HBO limited series "The Staircase": Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff. After Ratliff died, the Peterson family adopted Margaret and Martha and moved back to the U.S. When the Ratliffs both died in the 1980s, Michael adopted their daughters, Margaret and Martha, per Newsweek. Michael Peterson, whose life story serves as the inspiration for HBO's The Staircase, is upset at the series' portrayal of events, saying it goes beyond artistic license. Vanity Fair may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. Save. Parker Posey is a veteran actress with a very impressive filmography. Ratliff says her sister watched a trailer for HBO Maxs show but wound up so traumatized that she swore off the series. When Peterson and Patricia's marriage began falling apart in the mid-'80s, the girls were the. Michael Peterson has spent the last 20 years explaining the death of his wife Kathleen. Margaret Ratliff and her young sister Martha Ratliff were adopted by Michael Peterson after their parents, Elizabeth and George Ratliff, died. Loss of blood.. So, who stars in the highly anticipated drama? As is portrayed in the HBO Max miniseries, the story was firstchronicled in a French documentary,also called The Staircase,whichwas later followed up whentwo new episodes were added to the original eight in 2013. Today, he lives in Maryland with his wife and children, according to The News & Observer. It came from a letter sent by Margaret Ratliff, the daughter of Elizabeth Ratliff. Todd was reportedly one of the first on the scene after Michael discovered Kathleen's body, arriving not long after the ambulances did. Soon after that, Michael and Patricia split up. Tim Guinee, Michael Stuhlbarg and Colin Firth in The Staircase on HBO Max. I didnt want to see three fictitious, or two, at least, fictitious renditions of it, says Michael. Schwarzenegger has also been cast to appear as Golden Boy inThe Boys'spinoffseries. Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson. French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who was looking for a follow-up subject after his 2001 Academy Award-winning documentary about a wrongly accused Black teenager in Florida, Murder on a Sunday Morning, was given an all-access pass to cover Peterson's defense. Peterson's sons have always stood by their father, who has maintained his . They wouldve suffered more. She was neighbors with Peterson and his ex-wife and they adopted the girls after her death. Todd is Michael and Patricia's younger son. I think its really important to see the behind the scenes on why these people are where they are and where they stand, Turner toldTV Lineof the fictional Peterson kids. Michael Peterson was the guardian of Margaret and her sister Martha, played by The Stands Odessa Young . Ratliff claims that after Sophie Turner was cast to play her in Antonio Camposs adaptation, Ratliff was asked if she would meet with the Game of Thrones actor. and I was super qualified, really excited, says Ratliff. Why Landscapers' Real Life Origins Create A Common True Crime Problem, Best True Crime Shows On Netflix Right Now, Under The Banner Of Heaven Cast & Real Life Character Comparison Guide, Catching Killers Season 2 Avoids Netflix's Usual True Crime Mistake. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. At first, Candace believed Peterson's innocence, but as viewers will come to see in HBO Max's The Staircase, she changed her view and became one of his strongest opponents. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. And I thought, I cant deal with that. My body and my whole nervous system will think that something like the trial is happening. Related:Why Landscapers' Real Life Origins Create A Common True Crime Problem. She recently starred in BBC's Wanderlust and the Netflix true-crime drama, Unbelievable. He was . After a lengthy court battle, he earned a new trial. Today, Margaret lives in California, and Martha lives in Colorado. Margaret and Martha Ratliff were adopted by Michael Peterson after their mothers death, and actually introduced him to his next wife Kathleen, who was their friend Caitlins mother. Michael, Kathleen, and their children toast to each otherseeming a happy, loving blended family. a guilty plea whereby a defendant does not admit to the criminal act to manslaughter charges to avoid having to endure a second trial.. We feel that Jean pimped us out sold OUR story to Campos for money what word other than pimped describes what he did?, , who was behind the original The Staircase. (Michael was found guilty of the crime in 2003. Each episode is accompanied by a disclaimer that states it is a dramatization based on certain facts. With respect to the facts that formed the basis for the series, Antonio Campos and [co-showrunner], relied on extensive source material, including firsthand accounts of the people involved in the events that took place.. In 2004, a family friend named Kerry Sutton told local news affiliate WRAL that the Peterson children were "getting on with their lives." Powered by WordPress.com VIP. It actually is about the making of the documentary, on top of the case thats going on, because theres layers and layers and layers of corruption.. HBO Max told Vanity Fair, The Staircase is a fictionalized series based on true events. Immediately, it became accessible to more than 120 million subscribers around the globe. His firstmovie appearance was at age 10, inThe Benchwarmers. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Black passed away in 2018 as a result of end-stage liver cancer caused by chronic alcoholism. The eight-part series, which premieres on Thursday, May 5, and will be airing weekly, brings to the small screen the gripping and controversial case of Michael Peterson. Playing Michael Peterson's adoptive daughter, Martha Ratliff, is Odessa Young, who previously worked with Colin Firth in 2022's Mothering Sunday and Michael Stuhlbarg in Shirley two years. With that said, both Margaret and Martha, who grew up under Michaels care following his divorce from Patty, have always believed in his innocence, whether it be in their mothers case or their stepmother Kathleens. People ask me how much money I made off of The Staircase, which is zero, says Ratliff. Clayton Peterson is Michael Peterson's eldest son. I really dont give a damn about my own portrayal, says Peterson told, . It looks like Todd eschews the public eye, so there isn't much information available about him on the internet. The Staircase subject Michael Peterson is furious over the HBO series adaptation, saying it goes beyond artistic license in its depictions. Privacy Policy. We were parent-less in a way. What bothers Ratliff most about HBO Maxs adaptation of The Staircase, she says, is that her family members were not involved in formal conversations about the project, even though they are the shows main characters. Born two years apart to Air Force Captain George Ratliff and military teacher Elizabeth Ratliff in Germany in the early 1980s, Margaret and Martha lost both their biological parents as toddlers. Margaret and Martha Ratliff are the daughters of George and Elizabeth Ratliff, close friends of Michael and Patricia (Patty) Peterson while both families lived in Germany in the 1980s. and our DeWitt is best known for her roles in television series likeStandoff, in whichshe co-starred alongside her future husband, Ron Livingston, andThe United States of Tara. Colin Firth and Toni Colette as Michael and Kathleen Peterson in HBO Max's The Staircase. The documentary raises questions about filmmaking ethics; at the same time, Campos is being criticized by Staircase director de Lestrade, editor Sophie Brunet, and now two of that series subjects, Ratliff and Michael, for the misrepresentation in his project. Clayton and Todd Peterson were Michael's children with his first wife, Patty, and, like their sisters, they believed their father was innocent of his second wife Kathleen's murder. Caitlin Atwater is Kathleen Petersons daughter from her first marriage to Fred Atwater. So why does she look like him? Find the best Off Road trails in Charancieu, Auvergne-Rhne-Alpes (France). Clayton is Michael Peterson's eldest son from his first marriage. She is also a cosplayer who has attended conventions of all kinds for almost ten years. Rosemarie DeWitt has appeared in many films and television series throughout her career, ranging from horror to comedy. Michael Stuhlbarg is a well-known character actor with avery successful career. Next:How Catching Killers Differs From Other True Crime Shows. MARTHA KATALIN RATLIFF born January 3, 1983 in Germany "We just looked at Dad and said 'we know you didn't do it.' He said, 'of course I didn't do it,' and I have never had a doubt. Just lied with fabrications., Peterson adopted Margaret and Martha Ratliff after their mother. Since then, her filmography has expanded to include roles insuch movies asA Million Little Pieces, Shirley,andThe Professor. The Ripper: Does Netflix's True Crime Series Glorify Serial Killers? Like a storm cloud, many pressurized conditions in the Peterson house began to converge, and on December the 9th of 2001, they erupted. Scene Stealer: The True Lies of Elisabeth Finch, Part 2. The H.R. First, he stood trial for allegedly murdering her, and was convicted in 2003 and sentenced to life. The front of the house at 1810 Cedar St. in Durham, now on its third post-Peterson owner, is visible from the street, but the entire 3.4-acre property is gated. Michael and Patricia adopted Margaret and her sister Martha after their parents, George and Elizabeth Ratliff, passed away. Peterson, a Vietnam War veteran, newspaper columnist, and novelist, hit headlines when he was charged with murdering his second wife Kathleen Peterson on December 9, 2001. Everyone had theories. Evidence from Kathleens autopsy hints at a bird of prey attacking Kathleen, causing the lacerations on her head. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Emily Clute is a features writer based out of New York. Since then, Turner hasplayed Jean Grey in theX-Menfranchise andappeared in such moviesasBarely LethalandThe Thirteenth Tale. Michael was coincidently the last person to see Elizabeth alive, leading many to speculate an affair or some conflict between the two once Kathleens case came around over 15 years later. Fashion brand Emporio Armani unveiled its Spring Summer 2023 campaign starring models Finn Prentice and Loic Namigandet lensed by photographer Giampaolo Sgura. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The case was eerily similar to what happened to Kathleen nearly two decades later. Todd Peterson lives in Tennessee. Initially, Turners Margaret stands with the fictional Michael Peterson (Colin Firth). The gripping HBO Max true crime series The Staircase follows the 2001 death of Kathleen Peterson. During their 22-year marriage from 1965 to 1987, the pair welcomed two sons, Clayton and Todd. He was released in 2017 after entering an. Related:Catching Killers Season 2 Avoids Netflix's Usual True Crime Mistake. She can be found on Twitter @ejclute. Therefore the children of the women he picks can look like him. He appeared in Episode 10 to talk to his father through glass in jail, offering up a few tidbits about his life: there was a woman he was interested in, and he joked a little about the prospect of grandchildren. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Related:Tiger King Makes Netflixs True Crime Problems So Much Worse. The strangest professional experience for Ratliff occurred four years ago, she claims, after she applied for her dream job within Netflixs own documentary department. Despite maintaining his innocence throughout the entire case, Michael took an Alford deal in 2017, declaring guilt without sufficient evidence in order to go free without serving additional time. And he has always believed that his father was not guilty, saying in The Staircase, "I knew for a fact that no way in this world my father would have ever hurt Kathleen.". At that time, we were afraid he was facing the death penalty, she told the outlet. He went ahead and did so anyway. Each episode is accompanied by a disclaimer that states it is a dramatization based on certain facts. With respect to the facts that formed the basis for the series, Antonio Campos and [co-showrunner] Maggie Cohn relied on extensive source material, including firsthand accounts of the people involved in the events that took place.. Heres a breakdown of the family members, how they sided during Michael Petersons trial, and where each person is now. The December 2001 death of Kathleen Peterson at the bottom of her stairs is a case that is as messy and intriguing as it is brutal and dramatic, especially considering the ambiguous evidence involved. Related:Best True Crime Shows On Netflix Right Now. Shawshank RedemptionI couldnt do it., Thinking about his possible recourse, he says, I guess you could sue, but whos got the money that Johnny Depp has to defend himself? She will next be seen in the Elvis Presley biopic as Priscilla Presley. Im 78. Michael and his first wife Patricia had been good friends with George and Elizabeth Ratliff throughout the 1980s, and George Ratliff died in a military operation in 1983. Michael and Patti Peterson had been living in Germany with their sons Todd and Clayton when they became good friends with George and Elizabeth Ratliff. Martha had left for college in San Francisco shortly before their lives were turned upside down by Kathleen's death and the resulting fallout. Its sort of the same way I feel about war. As a guest onThe Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Turner talked about working onThe Staircase.
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