Co-showrunner/Executive Producer MAGGIE COHN takes us inside the twisted world of the shocking true crime case of Michael Peterson in this exclusive interview on THE STAIRCASE.
MAGGIE COHN is no stranger to true crime. She has a passion for it and in adapting it in narrative form for the screen. Prior to THE STAIRCASE, where she is a co-showrunner and executive producer with Antonio Campos who also serves as writer and director on all eight episodes of the limited series, Maggie was a co-executive producer on the acclaimed series Narcos and she won a Golden Globe for American Crime Story: Versace on which she was a writer and producer. So it comes as no surprise that a case as intriguing as the 1991 murder of Kathleen Peterson would be an attraction for Maggie. I remember when the murder occurred and the legal wranglings and national coverage surrounding it and followed the case for years, and I do mean years, and was thereafter engrossed by the documentary. And now, I am beyond impressed with THE STAIRCASE.
Kathleen Peterson was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in the Petersons’ Durham, North Carolina, mansion on December 9, 2001. Michael Peterson, a Marine Corps. veteran had forged a post-military career for himself as a novelist, newspaper columnist, and mayoral candidate when he was convicted of Kathleen’s murder in 2003. Prosecutors argued Michael bludgeoned his wife to death. Peterson claimed she fell after consuming alcohol and Valium. An autopsy concluded Kathleen died from multiple injuries, including blows to the back of her head with a blunt object. Sentenced to prison, Michael spent years incarcerated before his conviction was overturned. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to the killing in what is known as an Alford Please, accepting a charge of manslaughter, and walking away free with time served.
Throughout the legal proceedings, French documentarian Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, given unfettered access by Michael Peterson, filmed the Peterson family, the attorneys, courtroom activity, witnesses, etc., even chronicling the defense strategy of Peterson’s attorneys. The result was a Peabody award-winning docuseries.
The big twist in HBO Max’s limited series THE STAIRCASE is that in addition to the unfolding primary story of the murder and Michael’s protestations of innocence, not only is there focus on the collateral damage to Peterson’s family arising from the murder and the trial, but Cohn and Campos add a concurrent storyline that incorporates Jean-Xavier de Lestrade’s presence and the documentary filming over the years.
THE STAIRCASE is an eight-episode limited series on HBO Max, written and executive-produced by showrunners Antonio Campos and Maggie Cohn and stars Colin Firth in an award-worthy turn as Michel Peterson. Joining Firth are Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson, and the incomparable Michael Stuhlbarg as defense attorney David Rudolf. Supporting them are Juliette Binoche, Dane DeHaan, Olivia DeJonge, Rosemarie DeWitt, Tim Guinee, Sophie Turner, Vincent Vermignon, Odessa Young, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Parker Posey. Schwarzenegger is standout as the eldest Peterson son Todd while Posey soars as assistant prosecutor Freda Black.
With only five episodes available for screening at the time of my interview with MAGGIE COHN, she even piqued my curiosity for what I had yet to watch! Viewing THE STAIRCASE as a thriller, a mystery, and a family drama, we discussed the approach taken to limit the nuts and bolts of the legal process and focus instead on the human drama and dynamic of the family and the research required to present a full-bodied, three-dimensional story. With that as a starting point for the series, we dove into various themes and the complexity of each script, using cinematography to enhance individual POV’s as well as to aid in distinguishing multiple timelines which then segued into the editing process and establishing rules for interweaving three timelines within an episode. Leaving no production stone unturned, Maggie goes in-depth about the production design, score, importance of collaboration, and so much more. And just what is the appeal of true crime stories for MAGGIE COHN? You’re about to find out.
TAKE A LISTEN. . .
by debbie elias, exclusive interview April 26, 2022
THE STAIRCASE airs exclusively on HBO Max with new episodes releasing on Thursdays at 3am ET.
