Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen to star in JonBenét Ramsey limited series on Paramount+
A new take on a haunting American tragedy
Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen are set to lead a limited series on the JonBenét Ramsey case, which will be available on Paramount+. This project, which has been in the works for some time, will see McCarthy and Owen portraying JonBenét’s parents, Patsy and John Bennett Ramsey.
A powerful duo for a tragic story
“Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen are an extraordinary duo to delve into this tragic story that has cast a long, haunting shadow over American culture for nearly three decades,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios.
The series’ focus
Currently titled JonBenét Ramsey, the true crime series will explore the murder of six-year-old JonBenét, who was found murdered in the basement of her family’s home just hours after she was reported missing. The official description for the show states:
“It follows the Ramsey family, before and after the tragedy as they go through the painful loss of a child while facing intense public scrutiny caused by a media frenzy that caused this case to captivate an entire nation. At the heart of the series, it is the story of Patsy and John Ramsey – exploring the unbreakable partnership of these two complex people – as husband and wife, as mother and father – who had committed themselves and their children to building the narrative of a perfect, privileged life only to have it destroyed one Christmas night in 1996.”
Behind the scenes
Richard LaGravense, Harrison Query, and Tommy Wallach are writers and executive producers on the series, with LaGravense also serving as showrunner. Query and Wallach sold the project to MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios. Four of the eight episodes will be directed by executive producer Anne Sewitsky. David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, and David Hutkin of 101 Studios also executive produce, with McCarthy executive producing in addition to starring.
A story that continues to captivate
“JonBenét Ramsey continues to be one of the country’s most fascinating unsolved murders,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President of Programming for Paramount+. “The incredible talent of Melissa McCarthy, Clive Owen and the creative team led by Richard LaGravenese will illuminate her story with the acuity and nuance it deserves.”
“We have been working to bring this thought-provoking and bold project to audiences for some time now and could not be happier with the top-notch team working in front of and behind the camera,” added Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios.
The stars’ illustrious careers
Melissa McCarthy received an Academy Award nomination for her role in the smash hit comedy Bridesmaids and another for the drama Can You Ever Forgive Me?. Her other film roles include The Heat, Spy, and Identity Thief, while her TV credits include The Gilmore Girls, Nine Perfect Strangers, God’s Favorite Idiot, Mike & Molly, and Samantha Who?. She received three Emmy nominations and one win for best actress in a comedy for Mike & Molly, while she also received five nominations and one win for her appearances on Saturday Night Live.
Clive Owen was nominated for the Academy Award for best supporting actor for the Mike Nichols film Closer and received an Emmy nomination for best in a miniseries or movie for playing Ernest Hemingway in Hemingway & Gellhorn. He has recently starred in shows like Monsieur Spade, Impeachment: American Crime Story, and A Murder at the End of the World and previously led the period medical drama The Knick. He is known for his roles in films like Children of Men, Croupier, Gosford Park, Inside Man, Sin City, and Shoot ‘Em Up.
The enduring mystery
The JonBenét Ramsey case was the subject of intense media attention at the time and continues to be even nearly 30 years later. Several documentaries and news specials have been made about the case to date.
For those interested in exploring more about the series, you can watch the trailer for JonBenét Ramsey here.
This new series promises to bring a fresh perspective to a case that has long fascinated and haunted the American public. With a stellar cast and a dedicated creative team, it aims to provide a nuanced and in-depth look at the lives of the Ramsey family and the tragic events that forever changed them.