Article updated on 22/04/2022: On Thursday April 21, HBO released a new trailer for domestic crime miniseries The Staircase, revolving around North Carolina-based crime novelist Michael Peterson, who is convicted of murdering his wife Kathleen (Toni Collette).
He was alleged to have thrown her down a staircase in their family home over two decades ago.
The trailer, starring Sophie Turner, shows Kathleen toasting her relatives at dinner, saying: 'I’d like to make a toast to so many better days ahead.
'Every day is going to be an adventure, so always stop and think: this is one of the happiest days of my life.'
It then depicts a police scene outside their family home after her death, at which point Peterson is heard reporting the incident.
'My wife, she had an accident, she fell down the stairs - she’s not breathing,' he tells 911 operators.
He's later seen trying to convince his family, legal team and jurors that he is not guilty, instead referring to the scrutiny as a 'witch hunt'.
The drama shows how the family cope before and after Kathleen's death, with Peterson heard insisting: 'I think there are not many families like us - we're not perfect, but we stick together.'
Elsewhere in the trailer, relatives are shown being divided about Peterson's innocence.
Article updated on 18/02/2022: Ever since it became public knowledge that Game of Thrones actor Sophie Turner would be resuming her acting pursuits with a role in HBO's domestic crime drama series The Staircase, we've been anticipating a release date.
And now, Turner has not only shared an update about the upcoming show, but also teased images of the new series on Instagram.
The 25-year-old actor, who welcomed her daughter Willa in 2020, has shared two still shots from the series. One sees her sitting at a dining table with her co-stars, including Colin Firth, raising their glasses to seemingly celebrate news.
Another image is a close-up shot of Firth embracing fellow co-star Toni Collette from behind, as the latter gazes towards the ceiling.
The post's caption reads: 'It all falls down... "The Staircase" - Spring 2022 on HBO Max.'
Commenting on Turner's post, her husband Joe Jonas quipped - referencing her GOT character Sansa Stark -: 'The stark family looks a little different here. [sic]'
Among those excited for the series to hit TV screens is model and fellow mum Chrissy Teigen, who wrote: 'Ohhhh my god, yes! [sic]'
Read more details about the upcoming series below.
Article originally published on 02/06/2021: Sophie Turner is returning to acting with a drama series that will have every true crime fan on the edge of their seats.
The Game of Thrones alum has been cast in HBO series, The Staircase which is based on the true crime documentary by the same name, which examined the circumstances around Kathleen Peterson being found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Her husband, true crime novel author Michael Peterson was the main suspect and was convicted in 2003 of his wife's murder. In 2011, he was released from prison on house arrest.
According to Deadline, Turner is set to play Margaret Ratliff, one of Peterson's adopted daughters, in the eight-part miniseries. She was adopted along with her sister, after her mother Elizabeth Ratliff - a close friend of Michael Peterson's, died. Interestingly, Ratliff was also discovered dead at the bottom of a staircase.
She will be joined by an impressive cast including Colin Firth, who will play Michael Peterson, Toni Collette, who will portray Kathleen as well as Little Fires Everywhere star Rosemary DeWitt and Parks and Recreation actor Parker Posey.
The case of Kathleen Peterson first attracted attention when it was the subject of the Netflix true crime documentary, also titled The Staircase. Margaret Ratliff appeared in that documentary and along with her sister and brothers, Todd and Clayton Peterson, professed a belief in their father's innocence. Kathleen's daughter Caitlin, on the other hand, later switched sides and became a witness for the prosecution.
This is the second major role for Turner since the end of her long-running stint as Sansa Stark on Game Of Thrones and her appearance in the X-Men movies. Since the casting was announced publicly, Turner shared a photo of a Variety article announcing her new role along with a gif that read: 'I'm back baby'.
In 2020, the actor had a lead role in the now-defunct network Quibi drama Survivor, and in her personal life welcomed her first child, a daughter with husband Joe Jonas in the summer of 2020.
Sophie Turner's Best Looks: From Game Of Thrones To The Grammys
Olivia Blair is Entertainment Editor (Luxury) at Hearst UK, working across ELLE, Esquire and Harper's Bazaar. Olivia covers all things entertainment and has interviewed the likes of Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Michaela Coel and Ryan Gosling over the years.
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