The 2022 Netflix miniseries The Staircase brings a notorious real-life crime story to your screen with unflinching detail. Starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette, the show reconstructs the mysterious death of Kathleen Peterson and the lengthy legal battle against her husband, Michael. While compelling for adult viewers, the series is rated TV-MA for mature audiences only, and for strong reasons. This guide breaks down the specific intense content in the series, from graphic violence to adult themes, to help you make an informed decision about what is suitable for your family.
What Is The Staircase About?
The Staircase is a dramatic adaptation of the long-running true crime documentary of the same name. The story begins in December 2001 in Durham, North Carolina, when author Michael Peterson calls 911 to report that his wife, Kathleen, has fallen down the stairs and is not breathing. When police arrive, they suspect foul play. Michael is eventually charged with her murder.
The HBO Max and Netflix series follows Michael, his legal team led by attorney David Rudolf, and his family as they navigate the investigation and trial. It also incorporates a unique layer, showing the French documentary crew, led by director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, as they film the real events, creating a story about how the original famous documentary was made. The central question of whether Kathleen’s death was a tragic accident or murder drives the entire narrative.
Graphic Violence and Disturbing Scenes
The violent content in The Staircase is severe, frequent, and central to the plot. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
The series begins with the immediate aftermath of Kathleen’s death. Viewers see her body at length, with visible and bloody head wounds, as law enforcement investigates the scene. The show does not shy away from the medical details; there is a prolonged autopsy scene where Kathleen’s nude body is examined, and her injuries are described in graphic detail.
Most disturbing are the repeated visualizations of how Kathleen might have died. The series shows different possibilities, including a very graphic and realistic scene where she falls down the stairs, slips in her own blood, and is unable to get up. This sequence is bloody, disorienting, and designed to be upsetting. Other violent scenes include depictions of a character killing another with a weapon in a graphic, three-minute sequence.
Sexual Content and Nudity
Sexual content is a significant element of the story, as Michael Peterson’s secret life becomes a focal point of the prosecution’s case.
The series shows explicit images that are entered as evidence. These include photographs of fully naked men and images depicting explicit sexual acts. In one scene, a man is shown masturbating in a booth at a sex shop while watching a pornographic film; the explicit images on the screen are visible.
Non-sexual nudity is also present, primarily in the context of the autopsy. Kathleen’s bare breasts are shown during the medical examination. The series also discusses extramarital affairs and same-sex relationships as part of the legal case.
Frequent Strong Language
The dialogue in The Staircase includes very frequent use of strong profanity. This is consistent across both the dramatic miniseries and the original documentary.
Common words used throughout the episodes include:
- “f–k” and “f–king”
- “s–t”
- “goddamn”
- “ass”
- “motherf–ker”
One analysis noted 17 uses of “Christ” and 16 of “Jesus,” alongside many instances of the ‘f’ word and other common swear words. The language reflects the high-stress, emotional, and combative environments of a criminal investigation and a fractured family.
Depictions of Drinking, Drugs, and Smoking
Substance use is woven into the storyline and the characters’ lives.
Alcohol consumption is prevalent. The series establishes that both Michael and Kathleen had been drinking on the night she died. Characters are often shown drinking at social gatherings, and in some scenes, they drink to the point of becoming sloppy and emotional. In one instance, a character guzzles multiple glasses of wine at a party and begins to slur words.
Regarding other substances, Valium is mentioned as having played a part in Kathleen’s death. In one scene, two characters are shown snorting cocaine in a public bathroom. Michael Peterson is also depicted smoking a pipe in several scenes.
Why Common Sense Media Recommends Age 15+
The child development and media review organization Common Sense Media rates The Staircase as appropriate for ages 15 and up. Their review states the series contains “powerful acting [and] realistic gore” and that “violence and death is at the center of the story”.
They highlight that the graphic and realistic nature of Kathleen’s death scene is particularly disturbing. The review also notes that the secret sexual life explored in the case, along with the frequent strong language and substance use, makes the content most suitable for older teens and adults. The original documentary series is given an even higher age recommendation of 17+.
How to Talk to Teens About the Series
If you have older teenagers who watch the series, it can be an opportunity for discussion. Common Sense Media suggests several conversation starters for families.
You can talk about the true crime genre itself. Ask if shows based on real-life tragedies feel exploitative or if they serve a purpose. Discuss how the series portrays violence—does showing it so realistically add to the impact, or is it too much? Given that the case has been widely publicized, you can also discuss the challenges of adapting real events for drama. The HBO Max series itself became controversial when the filmmakers of the original documentary felt the drama unfairly suggested they manipulated their film to help Michael Peterson. As Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, the documentary director, said:
“I understand if you dramatize. But when you attack the credibility of my work, that’s really not acceptable to me”.
This meta-layer provides a chance to talk about how different types of media—documentary versus drama—can shape our perception of the same truth.
Global Age Ratings and Where to Watch
The Staircase miniseries carries a consistent mature rating across international markets, reflecting its adult content.
- United States, Canada, & Netflix Self-Rating: TV-MA
- United Kingdom: 15
- Australia: MA15+
- India, South Korea, Thailand: 18+
The eight-episode dramatic miniseries, starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette, is available to stream on HBO Max and Netflix. The original, multi-part documentary series that inspired it is also available on Netflix.
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