The Staircase Miniseries - Episode 3 Apr 2026

Episode 3 of the 2022 HBO Max miniseries The Staircase , titled serves as a critical turning point where the prosecution uncovers damaging evidence regarding Michael Peterson’s past and personal life. Key Plot Developments

Colin Firth as Michael Peterson, Toni Collette as Kathleen Peterson, Michael Stuhlbarg as David Rudolf, and Sophie Turner as Margaret Ratliff. The Staircase Miniseries - Episode 3

The prosecution investigates Michael's bisexuality and his communication with male escorts. Prosecutor Freda Black interviews Brent Wolgamott, an escort Michael had emailed, attempting to establish a motive for marital strife. Episode 3 of the 2022 HBO Max miniseries

The episode reveals a shocking discovery: Elizabeth "Liz" Ratliff, a close family friend from Michael's time in Germany, was also found dead at the bottom of a staircase years earlier. This "striking coincidence" leads the prosecution to push for an exhumation of her body to search for similarities to Kathleen's death. Prosecutor Freda Black interviews Brent Wolgamott, an escort

As the legal pressure mounts, the family begins to fracture. Caitlin Atwater, Kathleen's biological daughter, grows increasingly suspicious and eventually moves to block payments from her mother's life insurance to prevent Michael from using it for his defense.

Michael’s lawyer, David Rudolf, remains confident but must navigate these new "character" obstacles that threaten to overshadow the lack of a clear murder weapon. Episode Details Director/Writer: Antonio Campos. Original Air Date: May 5, 2022.