Is HBO’s The Staircase getting another season? Continue reading to find out about The Staircase Season 2.
From beginning to end, this version of The Staircase is gripping and wonderfully done. If you haven’t seen the docuseries, you can approach it with a fresh, objective view. It is a wonderfully constructed and tonally great thriller that captures the same frightening mood that enthralled docuseries viewers.
If you’ve been wondering whether The Staircase would be renewed for more seasons, we have some exciting news for you. As we’ve put together a quick rundown of everything you need to know about the official release date, narrative, and cast, so you can get excited about the next installment and be prepared before the series airs on HBO. Here’s all we know about The Staircase Season 2 so far.
Is The Staircase renewed for Season 2?
As the series is all set to premiere its final episode, America’s Sweetheart or: Time Over Time, on June 9, 2022. The first question which prompts in the mind of the viewers is whether the series will be renewed for another season or not, as many HBO Max TV series or movies are exclusive with fresh themes for the digital streaming platform, with two or more seasons renewed in 2022 alone.
Because of the growing demand from customers who have loved the content provided across genres on this newly established streaming platform with reasonable subscription options, the question is valid for viewers to assume if this series will get another season.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about HBO’s The Staircase, which was produced and promoted as a limited mini-series with only eight episodes to cover the plot of the series, based on Jean-Xavier de Lestrade’s 2004 true-crime docuseries of the same name.
As a result, the series will not be renewed for a second season because the plotline of the show is limited to the event and cannot be expanded into something fictitious that does not adhere to the exact idea of the source material, given that the show included everything that viewers expected to see, such as Michael’s arrest, Kathleen’s demise, and the Alford confession, among other things. Hence, it is very unlikely that the show will be renewed for any other season.
What is the response to HBO’s The Staircase?
According to Vanity Fair, Filmmakers Feel “Betrayed” by HBO Max’s Adaptation, quoting, “I understand if you dramatize. But when you attack the credibility of my work, that’s really not acceptable to me,” says Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind the celebrated docuseries.
He also told Vanity Fair, “We gave [Campos] all the access he wanted, and I really trusted the man.” Further adding, “So that’s why today I’m very uncomfortable because I feel that I’ve been betrayed in a way.”
Moreover, director Antonio Campos told Hollywood Life, “Our intent was to explore the real elusive nature of truth and how ultimately the truth gets kind of caught up in storytelling, and everyone trying to tell their version of the story.”
Furthermore, members of the original documentary crew, notably creator Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, expressed displeasure with the series, claiming that the team made editorial decisions to show Peterson in a more favorable light. The series received positive reviews from critics, with praise for Firth’s performance. The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a “Certified Fresh” 95% approval rating with an average rating of 7.80/10, based on 56 critic reviews.
Sisters are supposed to stick together. #TheStaircaseHBOMax pic.twitter.com/ZGvzPOozOq
— HBO Max (@hbomax) June 8, 2022
The website’s critics’ consensus reads, “The Staircase doesn’t hold many surprises for those already intimate with the original documentary, but this dramatization brings a fresh perspective and texture to the mystery—along with a terrific performance by Colin Firth.”
Meanwhile, Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 80 out of 100 based on 28 critics, indicating “generally favorable reviews”. According to IMDb, the series has an overall score of 7.4 out of 10 with 7.6k votes.
What is the premise of The Staircase?
The basic premise of the HBO Max series follows, “Michael Peterson, a crime novelist, is suspected of bludgeoning his wife Kathleen to death after she is discovered dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home. The family is thrust into a chaotic court battle as the inquiry progresses. Meanwhile, the story piques the curiosity of a French documentary crew.”
The Staircase Episode Guide
All the episodes of The Staircase were released on Thursday at 3 a.m. ET on a weekly basis. Each episode lasts just over an hour, with the longest-lasting between 63 and 68 minutes; the duration differs in each episode.
Here’s a detailed episode guide to help you figure out the series’ order when you start to binge-watch the series after the final episode airs on the platform.
Episode One: 911 – May 5, 2022
In 2001, author and aspiring local politician Michael Peterson is charged with murder after the suspicious death of his wife Kathleen.
Episode Two: Chiroptera – May 5, 2022
While working on his defense, Michael considers an opportunity to tell his story in a documentary; after learning shocking information about her stepfather, Caitlin wrestles with doubts.
Episode Three: The Great Dissembler – May 5, 2022
As the DA’s office attempts to solidify their case, shocking new details surface about Michael’s past that threatens to derail the defense.
Episode Four: Common Sense – May 12, 2022
After an unexpected homecoming, a critical discovery rocks the Peterson household; Michael’s fate hangs in the balance as the trial ends.
Episode Five: The Beating Heart – May 19, 2022
In the aftermath of the verdict in 2004, Michael and his family struggle with the court’s decision; in France, Jean and his producer Denis butt head over whose side of the story they are telling; Sophie strikes up an unlikely friendship.
Episode Six: Red in Tooth and Claw – May 26, 2022
In 2006, Sophie pursues a far-fetched new theory about the night of Kathleen’s death; in 2017, Michael grapples with compromising his principles in exchange for his freedom.
Episode Seven: Seek and Ye Shall – June 2, 2022
After a body with similar injuries to Kathleen’s turns up at the county morgue, Sophie continues her quest to uncover what really happened to Kathleen; meanwhile, Martha decides to dig into her fraught past, despite pushback from Margaret.
Episode Eight: America’s Sweetheart or: Time Over Time – June 9, 2022
As David angles for a retrial in 2011, in 2017, Michael faces another hearing and Sophie comes to terms with a revelation.
The Staircase Cast
The main cast members of the series are as follows:
- Colin Firth as Michael Peterson
- Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson
- Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf
- Dane DeHaan as Clayton Peterson
- Olivia DeJonge as Caitlin Atwater
- Patrick Schwarzenegger as Todd Peterson
- Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff
- Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff
- Rosemarie DeWitt as Candace Hunt Zamperini
- Tim Guinee as Bill Peterson
- Parker Posey as Freda Black
- Juliette Binoche as Sophie Brunet
- Vincent Vermignon as Jean-Xavier
Some recurring cast members of the series:
- Joel McKinnon Miller as Larry Pollard
- Maria Dizzia as Lori Campbell
- Susan Pourfar as Dr. Deborah Radisch
- Justice Leak as Tom Maher
- Robert Crayton as Ron Guerette
- Cullen Moss as Jim Hardin
- Cory Scott Allen as Art Holland
- Jason Davis as Fred Atwater
Where to watch The Staircase?
The true-crime series The Staircase is only accessible on HBO Max as it is an exclusive series developed for the digital streaming platform. The membership of the platform costs $10 per month (or $100 per year) for the ad-supported plan and $15 per month (or $150 per year) for the ad-free option.
The final moments.
Don't miss the series finale of #TheStaircaseHBOMax tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/Wrp4u15fa7
— HBO Max (@hbomax) June 9, 2022
So, we suggest that you renew your HBO membership plans and start watching the series to relive the events of previous episodes and to explore HBO’s ever-expanding repertoire of exclusive original TV series and movies accessible to stream across genres.
The Staircase Official Synopsis
The official synopsis of the series states, “Michael Peterson, a crime novelist, is accused of bludgeoning his wife Kathleen to death after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home. As the investigation continues, the family is thrown into a tumultuous legal battle. Meanwhile, a French documentary team takes an interest in the story.”
It is an American true-crime drama streaming television miniseries based on Jean-Xavier de Lestrade’s 2004 true-crime docuseries of the same name. A variety of outstanding performances add to the theatrical weight of this fascinating story. This is due to de Lestrade’s documentary, a groundbreaking legal thriller that prompted the series to dive further, making The Staircase more complex and cerebral than other crime dramas.
The Staircase Official Trailer
As shown in the trailer, The Staircase examines the life of Michael Peterson, his enormous North Carolina family, and the strange murder of his wife, Kathleen Peterson. The trailer is very suspenseful and builds up the plot in a way that makes the viewers intrigued to watch the series.
Catch up on all the episodes on HBO Max, and let us know what you think of the series so far.