A real curiosity envelops The Staircase on Netflix, a tale of crimes and a web of lies that is nothing less than a deeply disturbing mystery. It narrates the unbelievable real-life 2001 murder of Kathleen Peterson, but what is more puzzling is the format in which this story has been told multiple times.

True crime enthusiasts are scratching their heads to discover the case's captivating details and the whereabouts of The Staircase, whether it is a new series or documentary movie. Naturally, it has become one of the most discussed true crime titles on Netflix.

In a tug-of-war between genres, true crime documentary or drama series, where does The Staircase on Netflix lie? 

Netflix’s The Staircase is a riveting true crime docuseries chronicling the case of Michael Peterson, a novelist. Peterson was the prime suspect in the murder of his wife, Kathleen, who was found dead at the foot of a staircase in their home in Durham, North Carolina, in 2001. In 2019, he independently published a memoir of his conviction, Behind the Staircase.

Through the lens of Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, the documentary, also titled Death on the Staircase, projects Peterson’s struggle through the criminal justice system, investigations, and the trial, which lasted for years. Filming of this French documentary miniseries began soon after Michael Peterson's indictment. 

The documentary stars Michael Peterson himself alongside David Rudolf, Ron Guerette, Tom Maher, Bill Peterson, Freda Black, Jim Hardin, and Arthur Holland. The original production of the full length of the documentary continued to be extended with new episodes from 2004 to 2018 alongside the trial. 

Netflix offered all 13 parts of the series in 2018. Blending unprecedented access to raw footage, courtroom scenes, and confidential moments with family drama, trauma, and media scrutiny, the documentary presents a hauntingly gripping narrative, with the events unfolding almost like a movie.

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The massive scope of the true story behind The Staircase, i.e., Michael Peterson's trial, has been a favorite among true crime filmmakers because its adaptations transcend multiple genres with creative liberties.

There is no movie titled The Staircase; however, Netflix's Death on the Staircase docuseries has spawned a drama miniseries titled The Staircase. The show initially aired on HBO Max in 2022 but has now migrated to Netflix and is available for streaming globally. 

Based on the same true crime case, the show presents an eight-part scripted series starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette as Michael Peterson and Kathleen, respectively. It also features Michael Stuhlbarg, Dane DeHaan, Olivia DeJonge, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sophie Turner, Odessa Young, Parker Posey, Juliette Binoche, and more. 

The dramatization takes liberties with the characters and the plot of the actual case, while deep diving into the emotional aspects, the conflicts among the family members, and the long-standing legal tensions. Serving eight hour-long episodes, it tackles the real-life tragedy of Kathleen Peterson.   

Meanwhile, the documentary series titled The Staircase or Death on the Staircase, as well as the dramatized miniseries of the same name, are both available on Netflix. 

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Have you watched The Staircase on Netflix yet? Let us know in the comments below.