Dramatisation Of Netflix True Crime Documentary 'The Staircase' Starring Harrison Ford Is Coming

Last year, fans were gripped by Netflix doc The Staircase, which told the story of Michael Peterson, convicted of murdering his wife, Kathleen Peterson.

Now, a dramatisation of the true crime is coming - and Harrison Ford is set to star.

In December 2001, Kathleen Peterson was found at the bottom of the staircase in the home she shared with her husband with horrific injuries to her head - something her husband told police was the result of a nasty fall.

However, authorities believed Peterson had bludgeoned his wife to death and he was put on trial.

The 2018 documentary follows the trial from Peterson and his defence's perspective.

According to Variety, the upcoming dramatisation of the true crime is currently being shopped by networks.

Antonio Campos will reportedly write and executive producer the series, and considering his past directing credits include The Sinner, we reckon we're in for a treat.

Sources say Harrison Ford's name has been attached as executive producer as well as cast. It's not yet known who the Star Wars actor will play, but we're betting he'll take on the role of Peterson.

If so, it won't be the first time Ford has played a character convicted of killing his wife.

The actor starred in 1993 thriller The Fugitive, in which he played Dr. Richard Kimble, a man wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife and sentenced to death.

However, Dr Kimble escapes custody after a bus crash and sets out to find his wife's killer and clear his name, all the while being pursued by police.

Peterson was convicted of first degree murder in 2003 after one of the longest trials in North Carolina history, but was granted a new trial after eight years of being locked up, when a judge ruled one of the witnesses gave false testimony.

The new trial was due to begin on 8th May 2017, but in February of the same year he submitted an Alford plea and was sentenced to time already served and freed.

The Alford plea is a guilty plea in criminal court whereby the defendant does not admit to the criminal act and asserts innocence.

There's no release date for the new drama yet, but we'll keep you posted.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film

Ciara Sheppard

Ciara is a freelance writer working for Tyla. After graduating with an English Lit and Media degree from the University of Sussex, Ciara held jobs at GLAMOUR and Yahoo Style before packing up for a solo travelling trip around South America.

@ciarasheppard