Campos did not respond to Vanity Fairs request for comment.). Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff, Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff, Patrick Schwarznegger as Todd Peterson, Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson and Olivia DeJonge as Caitlin Atwater. Coverage of the latest true crime stories and famous cases explained, as well as the best TV shows, movies and podcasts in the genre. Soon after that, Michael and Patricia split up. We know she had one biological daughter, Caitlin Atwater, two adopted daughters, Martha and Margaret Ratliff, and two step-sons, Clayton and Todd Peterson. I do believe that he was betrayed [by Campos]. But Jean was wrong. 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. Todd Peterson (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Clayton Peterson (Dane DeHaan) are Michael Peterson's sons from his first marriage.Both maintain their father's innocence throughout the documentary and still do to this day. Michael then married Kathleen Peterson in 1997. 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). So, who stars in the highly anticipated drama? But when you attack the credibility of my work, thats really not acceptable to me, says Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind the celebrated docuseries. 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. We know she was married to. I really dont give a damn about my own portrayal, says Peterson told, . Privacy Policy. Turner recently spoke about the theories surrounding Kathleen and Michael Peterson, admitting shes so done talking about what happened. Find out why. Todd Peterson, Martha Ratliff, Margaret Ratliff, Clayton Peterson, and his wife and son. "The Staircase," the new HBO Max series, is a dramatization of French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade's docuseries of the same name, much of which . Todd was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, as shown in the first episode of HBO Max's new series. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. My body and my whole nervous system will think that something like the trial is happening. 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. Watch new episodes ofThe Staircaseon HBO Max weekly. I understand why Michael is mad. 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. And the same way with prisonafter I spent eight years in prison and got out, the last thing I wanted to watch was a prison movie. The family had already been recognized because of the docuseries when it was a cult true-crime favorite. Game of Thrones alum Sophie Turner portrays Margaret Ratliff in HBO Max's The Staircase. Tim Guinee, Michael Stuhlbarg and Colin Firth in The Staircase on HBO Max. 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. Dewitt most recently starred as Linda McCullough in Little Fires Everywhere. Margaret Ratliff Margaret (left) is one of Peterson's adoptive daughters. Stuhlbarg has alsoplayedroles in various television series, including Sy Feltz inFargoand Richard Sackler inDopesick. French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who was behind the original The Staircase stated in May that he also feels betrayed by the new HBO Max series of the same name, helmed by Antonio Campos. 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. Their father reportedly passed away during a secret overseas operation in 1983, whereas their mother was unexpectedly found dead at the bottom of her stairs on November 25, 1985. 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. The Kathleen Peterson murder case was also explored by a number of popular American true-crime television series, includingForensic Files, Dateline NBC, andCold Case. Now,The Staircase, like the original 2004 true-crime documentary series of the same name, raises questionsregarding what really happened. Before marrying Kathleen, Michael Peterson was married to Patricia Peterson. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Parker Posey is a veteran actress with a very impressive filmography. Before it digs into the past, episode one kicks off in February 2017. He was convicted of her murder in 2003, but there were long questions about his guilty. Today, Caitlin Atwater lives in northern Virginia with her family. He has since been released from prison after being granted a new trial and submitting an Alford plea.). Here is a look at how the real Michael Peterson, Kathleen Peterson, and other persons involved in the case compare physically to the actors portraying them in HBO Max'sThe Staircase. It should not be this way that filmmakers can do whatever they want with your lives [onscreen]. In this case, hes destroyed my family. During Michael Peterson's trial, Clayton maintained his father's innocence. Here is a cast and character guide. If he wants to fly under the radar, then that is his choice to be respected. Like Clayton and Todd, both Margaret and Martha maintained Michael's innocence. Just lied with fabrications., Peterson adopted Margaret and Martha Ratliff after their mother. He was convicted of her murder in 2003, but there were long questions about his guilty. The circumstances in which their mother died. Discover the best of Charancieu so you can plan your trip right. Unlike her stepsiblings, Caitlin did not stand by Michael's side. Patricia, Michael's first wife, lived with Michael for several years in Germany, The News & Observer reported. Save. Those woman can have children not related to him. Guttin In the HBO Max series, Margaret is played by Sophie Turner and Martha is played by Odessa Young. Explaining why Margaret Ratliff looks like Michael Peterson First of all, if we are to accept the paternity test, then they are not genetically related. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. HBO Max. "The Staircase" revolves around the death of Peterson's wife Kathleen Peterson, who was found dead at the bottom of a . Since MP picks women who looks like his mom, their children can look like his mom also. As Ratliff makes clear in Subject, a documentary she coproduced that premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this past weekend, she had no reason to believe that de Lestrades resulting docuseries, The Staircase, would be widely seen. Michael Peterson has two children, Todd and Clayton Peterson, from his first marriage to Patricia Sue Peterson. People ask me how much money I made off of The Staircase, which is zero, says Ratliff. Peterson has always maintained that Kathleen, 48, must have fatally injured herself in a fall. Kathleen and Michael married in 1997 and blended their families, living a seemingly happy life. and our As of 2018, he lives in Baltimore and has two children. The Staircase on HBO Max dramatizes Peterson's ordeal, the explosive drama within the family, and the introduction of Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, played by Vincent Vermignon, who filmed the documentary. 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. Caitlin would go on to file a wrongful death claim against Michael Peterson, and she was awarded $25 million in 2008. Author Diane Fanning writes in her book Written in Blood that Todd supposedly told police officers he thought Kathleen's death was alcohol-related, per Newsweek. His other well-known credits include Boardwalk Empire, The Looming Tower, and Dopesick. Best known for playing Sansa Stark in the HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, Sophie Turner has also featured in Barely Lethal, X-Men, Survive from 2020 and The Prince.. The two got married in 1968 and eventually had two sons, Todd and Clayton. PSA: Our Carb-Loving Keto Cookbook Is 32% Off for a Few More Hours, This Dynamic Warm-Up Will Help You Prep For Your Best Workout Yet, These Before-and-After Photos Show How Much Your Body Can Change From Drinking Less Alcohol. Fashion brand Emporio Armani unveiled its Spring Summer 2023 campaign starring models Finn Prentice and Loic Namigandet lensed by photographer Giampaolo Sgura. Beauty is work of hair stylist Franco Gobbi, and makeup artist Patrick Glatthaar. After Kathleen Petersons strange, untimely death on the staircase in the couple's home, Michael and Kathleens children would each take a stance on whether or not they believed that Michael was involved in Kathleens death, and play a role in his trial. I thought, Okay, this is going to help my dad.. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. As the son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Patrick Schwarzenegger is no stranger to Hollywood. His daughter Margaret Ratliff told Vanity Fair that she is upset that her relatives were not involved in formal conversations about the project. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. HBO Max told Vanity Fair, The Staircase is a fictionalized series based on true events. Record your own trail from the Wikiloc app, upload it and share it with the community. 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. Michael then married Kathleen. Margaret Ratliff ( Sophie Turner) attempts to lighten the mood with some encouraging words the night before her father Michael Peterson 's ( Colin Firth) retrial hearing for the murder of his wife . Related:Best True Crime Shows On Netflix Right Now. Michael Peterson was the guardian of Margaret and her sister Martha, played by The Stands Odessa Young . Oh, really? says Michael. He has won several accolades throughout his career, including an Academy Award, two BAFTAs, and a Golden Globe, and he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2011 for his service in the dramatic arts. Her other credits include the United States of Tara and Rachel Getting Married. MP picks women in his life who look like his mother (probably more common than many people are willing to admit). Caitlin Atwater is the daughter of Kathleen Peterson and her first husband, Fred Atwater. Michael was so incensed by the depictions of his children that he sent a profane email to Variety last week, likening de Lestrade to a hooker for giving Campos the rights to The Staircase. Candace became an integral force in the case against Michael, even raising the possibility herself that the fire poker she had gifted her sister had been used as a murder weapon. Margaret Ratliff only agreed to appear on camera two decades ago, for Jean-Xavier de Lestrade 's documentary series The Staircase, under extreme circumstances. Since he is the son of his own mother, he can look like his mom. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Guinee is best known for his role as the United States Air Force Major Allen in Iron Man and Iron Man 2. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. The Petersons had dinner with Elizabeth, Margaret, and Martha the night she died, and Michael was the last person to see her alive. Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff. After her death, Peterson raised Ratliff's two girls. 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. 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.". Michael joined the phone call on Saturday to say that he believes the dramatized series is especially reckless, considering that his children are not public figures. For years, true crime lovers have been talking about the many ways Kathleen could have died. He was busy planning his defense trial after being charged with his late wifes murder. The Staircase: Who Was Michael Petersons First Wife, Patricia Peterson? MP's sexual selection of women explains it. She was previously married to Neil Blakemore. A novelist who had run for mayor in Durham, Michael was leery of getting a fair trial. Freda Black was the former Durham County prosecutor who served as the main prosecutor against Michael Peterson. She can be found on Twitter @ejclute. and I was super qualified, really excited, says Ratliff. Toni Collette portrays the late Kathleen Peterson in The Staircase on HBO Max. "I dont think he has any money," her lawyer Jay Trehy said, explaining instead that the suit was to "disincentive any effort to profit off this case." is a fictionalized series based on true events. They wouldve suffered more. Published: Thursday, 5th May 2022 at 3:00 pm. Ratliff says that before de Lestrade signed over The Staircases rights to HBO Max, she could see the artistic value of his docuseries. Explaining why Margaret Ratliff looks like Michael Peterson. Clayton Peterson. They didn't think that he would ever be able to get a fair trial from the Durham police or prosecutors. Collette has also earned a variety of awards throughout her career, including a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe. Known for his roles insuch movies asA Single Man,The King's Speech,and his recent role inOperation Mincemeat, Firth isvery familiar with dramatic roles. Posey has numerous acting credits to her name, including Lost in Space, Search Party, The Good Wife, Boston Legal, and Parks and Recreation. 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. He was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, and he also supported his father during the trial. In short, that means he accepted that it would be possible to convict him based on the evidence, even though he insisted he did not do the crime. Posey has also lent her voice to animated series, performingcameos forThe Simpsons,Futurama,andSkylanders Academy. After over a decade in prison, he submitted an Alford Plea (where a criminal defendant pleads guilty to an offense while maintaining their innocence and acknowledging there is enough evidence to potentially convict) to the reduced charge of manslaughter in 2017. In fact, from what we can tell, Margaret is now based in Los Angeles, California, where she works in the entertainment industry as an actress, an assistant director, a production manager, and much more. Investigators later found six additional bombs in the Peterson's family home. 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. Schwarzeneggerwenton to star in such moviesasMidnight Sun,Daniel Isn't Real, andMoxie. Anyone else notice this. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. MARGARET ELISABETH RATLIFF born December 10, 1981 in Germany. Since the trial, Margaret has moved to California, while Martha now lives in Colorado, per Newsweek. A few years later, in 2001, she was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in her Durham, North Carolina home. The Bizarre True Story Behind 'The Staircase', Bella Ramsey Sorts Out 'The Last of Us' Finale, Caitlin's lawyer filed another complaint against him. Even with the Alford plea (a guilty plea in which the defendant doesnt admit to the crime but accepts the effects of a guilty plea), the family feels stuck in some kind of pop-culture purgatory. Margaret Ratliff and her young sister Martha Ratliff were adopted by Michael Peterson after . With 20 years of hindsight, she says, I wouldve said, No. As if his childrens portrayals were not enough of an affront, Michael points out that the HBO Max series depicts Kathleen dying in three possible waysby his hand, by complications from an owl attack, and via an accidental fall on the stairs. Thats especially because while Elizabeths death was initially ruled to be from an intracerebral hemorrhage, a second autopsy (from her exhumed body) in 2003 updated her manner of death to homicide. Today, he lives in Maryland with his wife and children, according to The News & Observer. 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. Michael loved his wife and children, and for all intents and purposes lived an average life. She will next be seen in the Elvis Presley biopic as Priscilla Presley. Initially, Turners Margaret stands with the fictional Michael Peterson (Colin Firth). 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.

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