Related:Tiger King Makes Netflixs True Crime Problems So Much Worse. Not blunt force trauma to her brain, not a fractured skull, not strangulation, he writes. Michael says he isnt about to file paperwork as some sort of cash grab. Sophie Turner Goes Into Speech Mode in This - E! Online Candace has remained outspoken about her beliefs, appearing in frequent interviews and documentaries to tell her side of the story. 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 . By Saturday, Michael had softened his feelings toward the director. Martha tells her it was a brain aneurysm, and that Patricia Peterson had been a mother to her, but mostly it was Kathleen. Michael's children also play a large role. HBO's 'Staircase': Who are Margaret and Martha Ratliff and what In 2002, she filed a wrongful death lawsuit against him, which they settled for $25 million in 2007. The Staircase subject Michael Peterson is furious over the HBO series adaptation, saying it goes beyond artistic license in its depictions. Loss of blood.. The Staircase: For Michael Peterson and Daughter Margaret, the He was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, and he also supported his father during the trial. Is it really ethically acceptable to take a living person, like my child, and then create this fantasy and fiction about them? Olivia DeJonge began a career in the world of film and television starting withher 2014 feature film debut,The Sisterhood of Night. Clayton and Todd Peterson are Michael Petersons sons from his first marriage to Patricia Sue Peterson. The Staircase viewers may also recognize her from Call My Agent!, Chocolat, and The Unbearable Lightness of Being. Sophie Turner Is 'so Done Talking About What Happened' With Michael They make me really anxious., Had she known what she does now, Ratliff says that she never would have agreed to appear in de Lestrades project. The H.R. Colin Firth is a well-established actor in the world of film and television. Lauren Kranc is the assistant content strategy editor at Esquire, where she runs the brands social media accounts and covers pop culture and television, with entirely too narrow an expertise on true crime shows, .css-gk9meg{display:block;font-family:Lausanne,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-top:0.25rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-gk9meg:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.15;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}Bella Ramsey Sorts Out 'The Last of Us' Finale, 'The Diplomat' Season 2: Everything We Know, Woody Harrelson Opens Up About His 'SNL' Monologue, Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux Open Up, The Spookiest Urban Legend in Every State, 'Succession' Showed It's Not Fun Ruling the World, Eight Shows to Watch After 'The Diplomat', The True Story Behind HBO's 'Love & Death'. Colin Firth stepped outside of his comfort zone for his latest role as Michael Peterson in HBO Max's "The Staircase," premiering Thursday night with the first three episodes . Could Margaret Ratliff Be Michael Peterson's Biological Daughter? Peterson blames Jean-Xavier de Lestrade for working with HBO Max: We feel that Jean pimped us outsold OUR storyfor moneywhat word other than pimped describes what he did?. He went ahead and did so anyway. 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. He was released in 2017 after entering an. In 2003, Michael was put on trial and then sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Related:Best True Crime Shows On Netflix Right Now. Visit Charancieu: 2023 Travel Guide for Charancieu, Auvergne-Rhne George Ratliff sadly died two years after his wife, and Michael Peterson went on to adopt the couple's two daughters Margaret and Martha Ratliff. Related:The Ripper: Does Netflix's True Crime Series Glorify Serial Killers? The family had already been recognized because of the docuseries when it was a cult true-crime favorite. I thought, Okay, this is going to help my dad.. HBO Staircase Episode 1 recap: Michael & Kathleen Peterson | Charlotte 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. Michael loved his wife and children, and for all intents and purposes lived an average life. Since the trial, Margaret has moved to California, while Martha now lives in Colorado, per Newsweek. Is it really ethically acceptable to take a living person, like my child, and then create this fantasy and fiction about them? He claims that he shut off a trailer for the HBO Max version of The Staircase after seeing characters named for his children screaming at one another. Ratliff says that before de Lestrade signed over The Staircases rights to HBO Max, she could see the artistic value of his docuseries. 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. During their 22-year marriage from 1965 to 1987, the pair welcomed two sons, Clayton and Todd. I didnt want to see three fictitious, or two, at least, fictitious renditions of it, says Michael. 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. I was theorizing for so long, and then by this point, Im just like, Im over it.. To revist this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories. Testimony Complete In Mike Peterson Trial - wral.com Since MP picks women who looks like his mom, their children can look like his mom also. Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace, Kathleen Peterson's sister in HBO Max's The Staircase. According to Michael Peterson, on the night of December 9, 2001, a balmy 50-something degrees, he and Kathleen were enjoying drinks by their pool after dinner. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson. After her death, Peterson raised Ratliff's two girls. Peterson has always maintained that Kathleen, 48, must have fatally injured herself in a fall. DeJonge is also slated to star inBaz Luhrmann's ElvisbiopicportrayingPriscilla Presley. I used to suffer a lot from really bad nightmares; I used to have really bad panic attacks in public spaces because of being in the trial, she said. Michael then married Kathleen. They didn't think that he would ever be able to get a fair trial from the Durham police or prosecutors. His firstmovie appearance was at age 10, inThe Benchwarmers. MP's sexual selection of women explains it. How the HBO Max series reenacted one of the most outlandish theories in true crimeand made it pretty believable. Caitlin Atwater is Kathleen Petersons daughter from her first marriage to Fred Atwater. The doc that the HBO Max show is based (and builds upon) is filled with dark twists and turns, plus the confusing ins and outs of Michael's trial. In charge of styling was Marc Goehring, with creative direction from Alan Prada. Unfortunately, owing to the way everything played out, as per Netflixs The Staircase, Martha began dealing with anxiety. When the Ratliffs both died in the 1980s, Michael adopted their daughters, Margaret and Martha, per Newsweek. In the HBO Max series, Margaret is played by Sophie Turner and Martha is played by Odessa Young. Freda Black was the former Durham County prosecutor who served as the main prosecutor against Michael Peterson. (Brunet, an editor of The Staircase, says she explicitly requested that Campos not make her a character on his show. Margaret Ratliff was born on 10 December 1981 in Germany. 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? Today, Caitlin Atwater lives in northern Virginia with her family. Margaret Ratliff only agreed to appear on camera two decades ago, for Jean-Xavier de Lestrade 's documentary series The Staircase, under extreme circumstances. 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. 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. She is also a cosplayer who has attended conventions of all kinds for almost ten years. Per Todd's Instagram, he's the president and founder of American Industries . Members of Michael Petersons family say they're feeling retraumatized by the new show. Following Kathleens death, though, Michael could not do much to protect his adopted daughters, then ages 20 and 18. Michael Stuhlbarg is a well-known character actor with avery successful career. Patrick Schwarzenegger and Dane DeHaan portray Michael Peterson's sons, Todd and Clayton, from his first marriage to Patricia Sue. I understand if you dramatize. However, four years later on December 9, 2001, Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of her stairs and her husband Michael stood accused of her murder. Both Margaret and Martha appeared frequently in interviews and documentaries in support of their father. The Bizarre True Story Behind 'The Staircase', Bella Ramsey Sorts Out 'The Last of Us' Finale, Caitlin's lawyer filed another complaint against him. The series follows the trial of Michael Peterson, who was convicted of murdering his wife, Kathleen Peterson, in 2003. This show is about [the Michael Peterson case], but its not another telling of the same thing, Turner explained. The two both worked for the Department of DefensePatricia taught elementary school children there for over three decades. Rudolf firmly believed in Michael's innocence, continuing to represent him long after his client could afford his services. She also teases Margarets change of heart. Cookie Notice 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. Fallon asked if Turners opinion of the case changed while working on the HBO Max series. When Peterson and Patricia's marriage began falling apart in the mid-'80s, the girls were the. Meet the cast of The Staircase and their real-life counterparts 25 Of Our Favorite Mothers Day Episodes From 'The Golden Girls' to 'Rugrats', It's Official! We were parent-less in a way. (Michael was found guilty of the crime in 2003. Patty Peterson reportedly lived with ex-husband Michael Peterson at the time of her death Ratliff's housekeeper found her body near the bottom of the stairs. 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. Soon after that, Michael and Patricia split up. Why Staircase Subject Michael Peterson Is Furious Over HBO's Series 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.. Since he is the son of his own mother, he can look like his mom. Since the trial, she's had twins and moved to Virginia, per The News & Observer. After he was convicted of possessing a destructive device in 1994, Clayton served four years in a federal penitentiary, the Herald Sun reported. Beauty is work of hair stylist Franco Gobbi, and makeup artist Patrick Glatthaar. She was previously married to Neil Blakemore. 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. Soon after that, Michael and Patricia split up. Peterson Family Will Sell Durham Home, Leave Town DeWitt also starred in the 2015 Poltergeist remake. Share. Toni Collette is another established veteran in the world of acting. Stranger Than Fiction || Mike Peterson Stairway Murders || Background Here's a breakdown of the family depicted in the new HBO Max series. 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. [] It should not be this way that filmmakers can do whatever they want with your lives [onscreen]. In this case, hes destroyed my family. For me, its like [my] heart beats faster, I cant breathe, and I worry that Im going to pass out. Hence, it was only after matters settled for good that she and her sister were able to grieve the woman they genuinely considered their mother, Kathleen. 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. Making her debut in the 1990s, Collettegainedmainstream recognition for her role as Lynn Sear inThe Sixth Sense. Shealso lent her voice to the HBO Max Original animated seriesThe Prince. 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. Today, he lives in Maryland with his wife and children, according to The News & Observer. The strikes left 34 people injured, including three children, and caused widespread damage. One of his dad's biggest supporters, Clayton has long believed that his step-mom Kathleen died in . The Kathleen Peterson murder case was also explored by a number of popular American true-crime television series, includingForensic Files, Dateline NBC, andCold Case. Kathleen Peterson was a loving mother and had a successful career. Margaret and Martha Ratliff have since tried their best to move on with their lives while also maintaining strong relationships with their father as well as their siblings (except Caitlin Atwater). 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. 'The Staircase': Why Colin Firth's Role Was 'Elusive' - TheWrap Little did anyone know at that time that on December 9, 2001, it would all fall apart. 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. Caitlin Atwater is the daughter of Kathleen Peterson and her first husband, Fred Atwater. 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. I really dont give a damn about my own portrayal, says Peterson told, . Had Ratliff and her family predicted the content quagmire that their mothers mysterious death would yield, they might have negotiated savvier consent and release agreements. 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.. 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. In the HBO Max seriesThe Staircase, Sophie Turner plays Margaret Ratliff, one of Michael Petersons adopted daughters. MARGARET ELISABETH RATLIFF born December 10, 1981 in Germany. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! As the series goes on, she grows up and realizes regurgitating your parents or other peoples opinions on things is no good for your mental health, Turner added. Kathleen and Michael married in 1997 and blended their families, living a seemingly happy life. (Colin Firth later replaced Ford. While Todd and his siblings were of the opinion that Michael did not harm Kathleen, according to AP News they still encouraged him to settle the case instead of having a retrial. When a lifetime of fandom met a journalism degree, a ScreenRant writer was born. A combination of biology and psychology. At first, Caitlin Atwater is a supporter of Peterson but begins to question his innocence after reading her mother's autopsy report. 'The Staircase': Who Was Michael Peterson's First Wife, Patricia Peterson? Ratliff was Mike Peterson's friend who died in Germany nearly two decades ago. Althoughshe supported him in the beginning, autopsy photos of her mother's body turned her into a key witness for the prosecution. I feel really sorry, but Michael is focusing on the wrong target., Michael finds it particularly rich that Colin Firth did not reach out to him, allegedly out of concern that it would influence his portrayal. Heres a breakdown of the family members, how they sided during Michael Petersons trial, and where each person is now. "I think it's really important to see the behind the scenes on why these people are where they are and. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. 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. And Johnny Depp is a public figure!. And I thought, I cant deal with that. Michael Stuhlbarg portrays David Rudolf, Michael Peterson's lawyer in HBO Max's The Staircase. 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. Like most of his siblings, Clayton remained loyal to his father during the murder trial and prison sentence, just as his fatherhad been loyal to him. "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 . Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff. Theseries was updated again when thedocumentary was released onNetflix, with another three episodes tacked on in 2018. He was busy planning his defense trial after being charged with his late wifes murder. Australian actor Olivia DeJonge plays the role of Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's daughter from a previous relationship. Dewitt most recently starred as Linda McCullough in Little Fires Everywhere. When Elisabeth Finch met Jennifer Beyer in 2019, the two women forged a fiercely loyal friendship, and eventually got married. Surreally, the Saturday premiere of Subject nearly coincided with the finale of HBO Maxs series, which was released on Thursday. She is an actress and assistant director, known for Subject (2022), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011). 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 Peterson, Margaret Ratliff Feels Betrayed By 'The Staircase Theincident and its subsequent murder trialdrew media attention as Michael was eventually convicted ofkilling his wife. 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. Margaret Ratliff - IMDb Todd was reportedly one of the first on the scene after Michael discovered Kathleen's body, arriving not long after the ambulances did. It looks like Todd eschews the public eye, so there isn't much information available about him on the internet. Initially, Turner's Margaret stands with the fictional Michael Peterson (Colin Firth). The case was eerily similar to what happened to Kathleen nearly two decades later. Where Are Michael Peterson's Kids Now? - Bustle An array of Emmy-hungry new shows turned the genre on its head by giving voice to the victims. I have been told and read everywhere that the HBO series has three scenes of her dying, all very graphic and violent. Those woman can have children not related to him. Michael Peterson was the guardian of Margaret and her sister Martha, played by The Stands Odessa Young, after their parents George and Elizabeth died. Netflix 7/9 Todd Peterson Todd is Clayton's. Clayton and his brother Todd grew up with Patricia after their parents divorced, according to Newsweek. He served an honorable military career and became a published author, newspaper columnist, and mayoral candidate. Margaret Ratliff and her young sister Martha Ratliff were adopted by Michael Peterson after their parents, Elizabeth and George Ratliff, died. It was implied that Todd doesn't talk about it much, so it appears he's staying out of things on purpose. Emily Clute is a features writer based out of New York. It was hard enough to see Kathleen die. After being released from prison in 2011, he's now fighting to clear his name. Before the HBO Max series, there was always this healthy pride that I was part of such an enormous, wonderful documentary. In other words, the girls were just 4 and 2 when Michael and his then-wife Patricia Patty Peterson became their guardians, in accordance with Elizabeths will they were neighbors as well as close friends. 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. His other well-known credits include Boardwalk Empire, The Looming Tower, and Dopesick. I think she looks so much like him - the eyes, the nose, the mouth. Travel guide resource for your visit to Charancieu. Watch new episodes ofThe Staircaseon HBO Max weekly. The death of his wife Kathleen, however, sent his life into turmoil. 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. Newsweek has everything you need to know about the cast of The Staircase and their real-life characters. Oh, really? says Michael. The Staircase: True story explained - Woman and Home Magazine In The Staircase, she'll be playing Michael's adoptive daughter, Margaret Ratliff.. Margaret is one of two daughters to Elizabeth and George Ratliff, who were friends with Michael and his . Rosemarie Dewitt stars as Candace Hunt Zamperini, Kathleen's sister. According to The News & Observer, Clayton now lives in Maryland with his wife and children, and Todd lives in Tennessee. 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. The two got married in 1968 and eventually had two sons, Todd and Clayton. HBO Max told Vanity Fair, The Staircase is a fictionalized series based on true events. 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.. Its sort of the same way I feel about war. 'the Staircase' Cast Vs. Real-Life Counterparts: Photos - Insider In The Staircase, Clayton is played by Dane DeHaan from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. As teenagers, they reunited with Michael in Durham, North Carolina. He seems to be the proud President and Founder of an asset management company in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at the moment. Shock was the first emotion he felt upon seeing ambulances outside the house and, since he didn't yet know what was going on, he was afraid his father had suffered a heart attack. 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. Todd was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, as shown in the first episode of HBO Max's new series. 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.