Margaret Ratliff Played by Sophie Turner, Margaret is the eldest daughter of Air Force captain George Ratliff and his wife, Elizabeth, who lived next door to Michael and Patty Peterson in. 2023 BDG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Patricia, Michael's first wife, lived with Michael for several years in Germany, The News & Observer reported. In other words, the girls were just 4 and 2 when Michael and his then-wife Patricia Patty Peterson became their guardians, in accordance with Elizabeths will they were neighbors as well as close friends. Todd was the first person to see Michael after Kathleen died, as shown in the first episode of HBO Maxs new series. Candace became an integral force in the case against Michael, even raising the possibility herself that the fire poker she had gifted her sister had been used as a murder weapon. Initially, Turners Margaret stands with the fictional Michael Peterson (Colin Firth). She was an executive at Nortel Networks, a telecommunications company, WRAL.com reported. Michael Petersonappeared to be a happy and successful man. Margaret Ratliff - IMDb She said that her sister Martha Ratliff watched a trailer for the new HBO Max series and that alone traumatized her. Schwarzeneggerwenton to star in such moviesasMidnight Sun,Daniel Isn't Real, andMoxie. During their 22-year marriage from 1965 to 1987, the pair welcomed two sons, Clayton and Todd. I think she looks so much like him - the eyes, the nose, the mouth. Playing Michael Peterson's adoptive daughter, Martha Ratliff, is Odessa Young, who previously worked with Colin Firth in 2022's Mothering Sunday and Michael Stuhlbarg in Shirley two years. In one of the longest trials in the history of North Carolina, Kathleen's husband, Michael Peterson, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for her murder. Michael's children also play a large role. Each episode is accompanied by a disclaimer that states it is a dramatization based on certain facts. With respect to the facts that formed the basis for the series, Antonio Campos and [co-showrunner] Maggie Cohn relied on extensive source material, including firsthand accounts of the people involved in the events that took place.. Everything changed, she says, when Netflix acquired the docuseries in 2018. Ready for the full breakdown? (Colin Firth later replaced Ford. The Staircase: A Complete Breakdown of the Peterson Family - Yahoo Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Even with the Alford plea (a guilty plea in which the defendant doesnt admit to the crime but accepts the effects of a guilty plea), the family feels stuck in some kind of pop-culture purgatory. Police Detective Art . They dont want to live this all over again, which is pretty much the reason why I took the Alford plea, says Michael. is a fictionalized series based on true events. A combination of biology and psychology. Caitlin Atwater is the biological daughter of Kathleen Peterson and her ex-husband, Fred Atwater. Author Diane Fanning writes in her book Written in Blood that Todd supposedly told police officers he thought Kathleen's death was alcohol-related, per Newsweek. Here's everything you need to know about each member of the Peterson family, including who plays them in the HBO Max series: Michael Peterson is an author and a military veteran who served in the Vietnam War. If he wants to fly under the radar, then that is his choice to be respected. The filmmakers behind the original The Staircase documentary arent the only ones feeling betrayed by the new HBO Max series. Fashion brand Emporio Armani unveiled its Spring Summer 2023 campaign starring models Finn Prentice and Loic Namigandet lensed by photographer Giampaolo Sgura. Aiden Shaw Makes His Return In 'And Just Like That' Season 2, 15 Movies On Netflix About Mothers & Daughters Thatll Make You Emotional, Beef Captures Our Toxic Tendency To Confuse Love With Sacrifice, What Parents Are Talking About Delivered Straight To Your Inbox, By subscribing to this BDG newsletter, you agree to our. Michael then married Kathleen. She didnt receive anything from HBO Max, which premiered its own fictionalized version of Kathleens death and the subsequent trial, either. Soon after that, Michael and Patricia split up. The Staircase Cast Guide: What Every Real Life Person Looks Like After her death, Peterson raised Ratliff's two girls. First of all, if we are to accept the paternity test, then they are not genetically related. One of his dad's biggest supporters, Clayton has long believed that his step-mom Kathleen died in . French filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who was behind the original The Staircase stated in May that he also feels betrayed by the new HBO Max series of the same name, helmed by Antonio Campos. But as The Staircase shows, Caitlin began to grow suspicious of Michael during the trial, eventually becoming a key witness for the prosecution. Per The News & Observer, Clay Peterson has two children and lives in Maryland. Like Kathleen, her. He was eventually released on bail and wore an ankle monitor in 2011 after the validity of the trial was brought into question. As a guest onThe Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, Turner talked about working onThe Staircase. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Who's Who Between Michael And Kathleen Peterson's Kids In HBO Max's The doc that the HBO Max show is based (and builds upon) is filled with dark twists and turns, plus the confusing ins and outs of Michael's trial. Candace has remained outspoken about her beliefs, appearing in frequent interviews and documentaries to tell her side of the story. Patty Peterson reportedly lived with ex-husband Michael Peterson at the time of her death Ratliff's housekeeper found her body near the bottom of the stairs. She replied: Im so done talking about what happened. In The Staircase, she'll be playing Michael's adoptive daughter, Margaret Ratliff.. Margaret is one of two daughters to Elizabeth and George Ratliff, who were friends with Michael and his . HBO Kathleen Peterson's swimming pool neck injury September 2001: We're now at an "Empty Nest Party" by the. Firth plays Michael Peterson, a guy easily frustrated by the act of tying his tie, which has a stain on it. Margaret Ratliff and her young sister Martha Ratliff were adopted by Michael Peterson after . The Staircase: What happened to people from Peterson trial? | Raleigh Unlike her stepsiblings, Caitlin did not stand by Michael's side. Thanks to the Netflix series of the same name from French documentarian Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, most have heard of Petersons story and many have theories about how Kathleen died. Dane DeHaan has appeared in a variety of films and television series throughout his career. Todd Peterson (played by Patrick Schwarzenegger) and Clayton Peterson (Dane DeHaan) are Michael Peterson's sons from his first marriage.Both maintain their father's innocence throughout the documentary and still do to this day. Posey has numerous acting credits to her name, including Lost in Space, Search Party, The Good Wife, Boston Legal, and Parks and Recreation. In Subject, Ratliff suggests that documentary participants should have an organization to inform them of their rights, provide legal advice, and help navigate complicated consent issues. It looks like Todd eschews the public eye, so there isn't much information available about him on the internet. Known for his roles insuch movies asA Single Man,The King's Speech,and his recent role inOperation Mincemeat, Firth isvery familiar with dramatic roles. SCOTUS Now Just Another Congressional Committee, Trump Ramps up Attacks on DeSantis: 'Dropping Like a Rock', Russian Strikes on Pavlohrad Aim to Hamper Ukraine's Counteroffensive, Greg Abbott Criticized for Response to Texas Shooting: 'A New Low', Democrat Sold First Republic Stock, Bought JP Morgan Before Collapse, Conservative Influencers Struggle With Countering Biden's Messaging. He has since been released from prison after being granted a new trial and submitting an Alford plea.). In 2001 the woman Ratliff called mom, Kathleen Peterson, was found dead at the bottom of a flight of stairs in the familys Durham, North Carolina, home. It is unfair. He met his first wife, Patricia Sue, in West Germany, according to People. Therefore the children of the women he picks can look like him. Though Michael Peterson's adopted daughters, Martha and Margaret Ratliff, had the largest presence in The Staircase of all the Peterson children, his sons were regular attendees in the courtroom, too. Margaret and Martha Ratliff are the daughters of George and Elizabeth Ratliff, close friends of Michael and Patricia (Patty) Peterson while both families lived in Germany in the 1980s. 'The Staircase': Why Colin Firth's Role Was 'Elusive' - TheWrap The Staircase: Where Are Michael Peterson and His Family Now? - MSN Since then, shehas appeared inmovies across a wide variety of genres, such asRian Johnson's KnivesOut, as well asLittle Miss SunshineandHereditary. Parker Posey stars as Durham County assistant district attorney, the lead prosecutor at Peterson's trial. Explaining why Margaret Ratliff looks like Michael Peterson. Clayton is the oldest of Michael and Patricia's children. At that time, we were afraid he was facing the death penalty, recalls Ratliff in a phone interview with Vanity Fair on Saturday. In 2004, a family friend named Kerry Sutton told local news affiliate WRAL that the Peterson children were "getting on with their lives." The strangest professional experience for Ratliff occurred four years ago, she claims, after she applied for her dream job within Netflixs own documentary department. All rights reserved. ), Ratliff says that she was introduced to Campos after he optioned de Lestrades docuseries, occasionally meeting him for coffee over the years. Tiger King Makes Netflixs True Crime Problems So Much Worse, How Catching Killers Differs From Other True Crime Shows. Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. It's not clear what his job is, or whether he did end up getting married and having children. died in 1985 in Germany at the age of 43. No, I dont want to be in your documentary., See All the Outfits From the 2023 Met Gala Red Carpet, Why Tucker Carlsons Exit From Fox News Looks Like an Execution, Prince Harry and Prince William Reportedly Still Havent Talked After Spare, Dune: Part Two: An Exclusive First Look at the Sagas Epic Conclusion, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now, From the Archive: Seduced and Abandoned (2014), 2023 Cond Nast. Michael Peterson, whose life story serves as the inspiration for HBO's The Staircase, is upset at the series' portrayal of events, saying it goes beyond artistic license. Michael then married Kathleen. (Netflix did not respond to Vanity Fairs requests for comment.). By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Guttin As the series goes on, she grows up and realizes regurgitating your parents or other peoples opinions on things is no good for your mental health, Turner added. He never shouldve done that and taken their money for our life stories. In Episode 1, Todd described what he was feeling when he arrived at his father's home the night Kathleen died. I have been told and read everywhere that the HBO series has three scenes of her dying, all very graphic and violent. Born two years apart to Air Force Captain George Ratliff and military teacher Elizabeth Ratliff in Germany in the early 1980s, Margaret and Martha lost both their biological parents as toddlers. I was theorizing for so long, and then by this point, Im just like, Im over it.. Peterson's sons have always stood by their father, who has maintained his . Both Margaret and her husband. Rosemarie Dewitt stars as Candace Hunt Zamperini, Kathleen's sister. The Kathleen Peterson murder case was also explored by a number of popular American true-crime television series, includingForensic Files, Dateline NBC, andCold Case. Ratliff says her sister watched a trailer for HBO Maxs show but wound up so traumatized that she swore off the series. Australian actor Olivia DeJonge plays the role of Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's daughter from a previous relationship. Before it digs into the past, episode one kicks off in February 2017. DeJonge is also slated to star inBaz Luhrmann's ElvisbiopicportrayingPriscilla Presley. During Michael Peterson's trial, Clayton maintained his father's innocence. Since he is the son of his own mother, he can look like his mom. Meet HBO Max's 'The Staircase' Cast and Their Real-Life - Newsweek The sadness under that is astronomical. The four-part series is a dramatic retelling of the 2001 death of Kathleen Peterson and the emotional legal aftermath that followed. At first, Caitlin Atwater is a supporter of Peterson but begins to question his innocence after reading her mother's autopsy report. They make me really anxious., Had she known what she does now, Ratliff says that she never would have agreed to appear in de Lestrades project. Margaret Ratliff only agreed to appear on camera two decades ago, for Jean-Xavier de Lestrade 's documentary series The Staircase, under extreme circumstances. Initially, Turner's Margaret stands with the fictional Michael Peterson (Colin Firth). And he has always believed that his father was not guilty, saying in The Staircase, "I knew for a fact that no way in this world my father would have ever hurt Kathleen.". But at least there was that weight of being a part of The Staircase, which is a phenomenal documentary., Moving forward in her career, Margaret says shes interested in making nerdy science documentaries, as she loves evolutionary psychology and earth documentaries. The idea of turning her camera on individual people does not appeal to her. and our HBO Max's miniseries The Staircase details the death of Kathleen Peterson and the trial of her husband, Michael. The front of the house at 1810 Cedar St. in Durham, now on its third post-Peterson owner, is visible from the street, but the entire 3.4-acre property is gated. He was released in 2017 after entering an Alford plea a guilty plea whereby a defendant does not admit to the criminal act to manslaughter charges to avoid having to endure a second trial.. Peterson sent an enraged email to Variety last week, stating We feel that Jean pimped us out sold OUR story to Campos for money what word other than pimped describes what he did?. The Staircase on HBO Max dramatizes Peterson's ordeal, the explosive drama within the family, and the introduction of Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, played by Vincent Vermignon, who filmed the documentary. As is portrayed in the HBO Max miniseries, the story was firstchronicled in a French documentary,also called The Staircase,whichwas later followed up whentwo new episodes were added to the original eight in 2013. But as Beyer would soon realize, Finchs past wasnt what she claimedand Beyers own difficult history was up for the taking. Oh, really? says Michael. Caitlin would go on to file a wrongful death claim against Michael Peterson, and she was awarded $25 million in 2008. The Staircase: For Michael Peterson and Daughter Margaret, the The pair never got back together after their divorce, but Patricia maintained Michael's innocence in both the deaths of Elizabeth Ratliff and Kathleen Peterson up until her own death in 2021, per the Charlotte Observer (more on that in a sec). HBO Staircase Episode 1 recap: Michael & Kathleen Peterson | Charlotte Had Ratliff and her family predicted the content quagmire that their mothers mysterious death would yield, they might have negotiated savvier consent and release agreements. of the same name, helmed by Antonio Campos. Margaret and Martha Ratliff were adopted by Michael Peterson after their mothers death, and actually introduced him to his next wife Kathleen, who was their friend Caitlins mother. Cookie Notice The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Michael Peterson was the guardian of Margaret and her sister Martha, played by The Stands Odessa Young, after their parents George and Elizabeth died. Margaret Ratliff. For more information, please see our Kathleen was only 48 years old when she died of blood loss at the bottom of the stairs in the Petersons' mansionin North Carolina. Michael Stuhlbarg portrays David Rudolf, Michael Peterson's lawyer in HBO Max's The Staircase. Share on Twitter. George Ratliff sadly died two years after his wife, and Michael Peterson went on to adopt the couple's two daughters Margaret and Martha Ratliff. The Staircase viewers may also recognize her from Call My Agent!, Chocolat, and The Unbearable Lightness of Being. According to Michael Peterson, on the night of December 9, 2001, a balmy 50-something degrees, he and Kathleen were enjoying drinks by their pool after dinner. First, he stood trial for allegedly murdering her, and was convicted in 2003 and sentenced to life. The documentary raises questions about filmmaking ethics; at the same time, Campos is being criticized by Staircase director de Lestrade, editor Sophie Brunet, and now two of that series subjects, Ratliff and Michael, for the misrepresentation in his project. Today, he lives in Maryland with his wife and children, according to The News & Observer. Michael Peterson has spent the last 20 years explaining the death of his wife Kathleen. I was just trying to go through the world and go through my masters program and not talk about The Staircase, says Ratliff of the impact of de Lestrades docuseries, which earned rave reviews after its relatively quiet U.S. premiere on the Sundance Channel in 2005. and where is Michael Peterson today? - GoodTo Scene Stealer: The True Lies of Elisabeth Finch, Part 1, A guide to the hidden references in this buzzy anthologys new episodes, from first-season callbacks to what, Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff, and Odessa Young as Martha Ratliff in HBO Maxs. If I had not taken the Alford plea but gone on with another trial, it wouldve been years more. With their father behind bars, Ratliff and her siblings did their best to forge ahead, she saystrying to put the disturbing details of Kathleens death, the harrowing trial (one of the longest in North Carolina history), and the docuseries behind them. As if his childrens portrayals were not enough of an affront, Michael points out that the HBO Max series depicts Kathleen dying in three possible waysby his hand, by complications from an owl attack, and via an accidental fall on the stairs. Anyone else notice this. They didn't think that he would ever be able to get a fair trial from the Durham police or prosecutors. Who are Michael Peterson's Children and Where Are They Now? - Newsweek The strikes left 34 people injured, including three children, and caused widespread damage. Where Are Michael Peterson Kids Now? 2018 Family Tree - Refinery29 Petersons sons have always stood by their father, who has maintained his innocence for the past twenty years. She is also a cosplayer who has attended conventions of all kinds for almost ten years. Michael loved his wife and children, and for all intents and purposes lived an average life. She will next be seen in the Elvis Presley biopic as Priscilla Presley. Kathleen Peterson's Daughter Sued For Millions After Her Mother's Death In 2017, he was granted a new trial, and just last year, Peterson took. Peterson Family Will Sell Durham Home, Leave Town His other credit includes Hell on Wheels and The Punisher. They wouldve suffered more. Related:The Ripper: Does Netflix's True Crime Series Glorify Serial Killers? 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. In 2003, Peterson was convicted of killing his wife Kathleen Peterson, who was found dead on December 9, 2001, at the bottom of the staircase in their home. I really dont give a damn about my own portrayal, says Peterson told Vanity Fair. Though there hasn't been a more recent update on how Todd is handling things, it seems as though he has done just that: moved on with his life far from the cameras. Clayton and Todd Peterson are Michael Petersons sons from his first marriage to Patricia Sue Peterson. At that time, we were afraid he was facing the death penalty, she told the outlet. Althoughshe supported him in the beginning, autopsy photos of her mother's body turned her into a key witness for the prosecution. The eight-part series, which premieres on Thursday, May 5, and will be airing weekly, brings to the small screen the gripping and controversial case of Michael Peterson. In 2008, Caitlin filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Michael, which the two later settled for $25 million, Newsweek reported. (During a surreal sibling holiday spent in Denmark, the only thing showing on the TV at the hotel was The Staircase in English. After that tragedy in 1985, Elizabeths friend Michael Peterson took Ratliff and her younger sister, Martha, into his home, eventually becoming their legal guardian. They just loved each other so much." -- Margaret Ratliff. Her husband, novelist Michael Peterson, became the center of the investigation and was eventually convicted of Kathleen's murder in 2003. The final episodes of the docuseries caught up with most of the kids, but mentions of Todd were minimal. And the same way with prisonafter I spent eight years in prison and got out, the last thing I wanted to watch was a prison movie. -- Todd Peterson. Testimony Complete In Mike Peterson Trial - wral.com [] It should not be this way that filmmakers can do whatever they want with your lives [onscreen]. In this case, hes destroyed my family. When Clayton was 19 years old, he was arrested and charged for planting a homemade pipe bomb in a Duke University office, where he was attending college at the time, per The News & Observer. People ask me how much money I made off of The Staircase, which is zero, says Ratliff. Peterson adopted Margaret and Martha Ratliff after their mother Elizabeth Liz Ratliffdied in 1985 in Germany at the age of 43. MARTHA KATALIN RATLIFF born January 3, 1983 in Germany "We just looked at Dad and said 'we know you didn't do it.' He said, 'of course I didn't do it,' and I have never had a doubt. When Elisabeth Finch met Jennifer Beyer in 2019, the two women forged a fiercely loyal friendship, and eventually got married. However, by the time Rudolf had enough evidence to support this theory, it was too late to present the idea in court. Together, they raised Clayton and Todd Peterson, Michael's sons from his previous marriage; Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's daughter from her previous marriage; and Margaret and Martha Ratliff . Clayton Peterson. Why Landscapers' Real Life Origins Create A Common True Crime Problem, Best True Crime Shows On Netflix Right Now, Under The Banner Of Heaven Cast & Real Life Character Comparison Guide, Catching Killers Season 2 Avoids Netflix's Usual True Crime Mistake. Todd was reportedly one of the first on the scene after Michael discovered Kathleen's body, arriving not long after the ambulances did. The Staircase Michael Peterson's Family Tree - POPSUGAR The Staircase: Who are Michael and Kathleen Peterson's children and