‘The Staircase’: A True Crime Hit Finds a New Audience
Currently among Netflix’s most-watched shows, The Staircase has gained renewed attention since its recent release on the platform. Starring Colin Firth, viewers are flocking to watch (or re-watch) this gripping crime series. Just a few days after joining the Netflix lineup, the eight-episode drama, each episode running about 52 minutes, quickly became the platform’s third most-viewed show—an impressive feat for a story so deeply rooted in suspense and legal drama.
First airing on Canal+ in 2022, The Staircase recounts the real-life case involving Michael Peterson, played by Colin Firth, a novelist accused of murdering his wife, Kathleen, who is portrayed by Toni Collette. The series explores his extended fight through the legal system, making it a must-see for fans of true crime or courtroom thrillers.
Shades of ‘The Fugitive’—and Almost Its Star
The premise of The Staircase might feel familiar. Its opening echoes the setup of The Fugitive, the acclaimed ‘90s film where Harrison Ford’s character is also accused of killing his wife. This similarity isn’t just a coincidence.
Why Harrison Ford Didn’t Star in ‘The Staircase’
According to showrunner Antonio Campos, who spoke to Entertainment Weekly in 2022, the production team initially approached Harrison Ford for the lead role. Campos explained:
“Originally, we turned to Harrison Ford. But our paths diverged, because he had to do Indiana Jones.”
With Ford unavailable, Campos and co-producer Maggie Cohn ultimately selected Colin Firth to head the cast—and the result is the series now enjoying a surge on Netflix.
Behind the Scenes and More
The outlet reporting this behind-the-scenes story, AlloCiné, publishes more than 40 articles a day covering the latest in film and television, including interviews, recommendations, and fun trivia. For those who love entertainment news, following AlloCiné on Google Discover means staying current on movie and streaming trends, all crafted by passionate fans for other fans.
