Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen to Lead a Limited Series About the JonBenét Ramsey Case at Paramount+, Variety has learned.
The show was first reported to be in the works in March, but had not yet landed at Paramount+ at that time. McCarthy and Owen will star as JonBenét’s parents, Patsy and John Bennett Ramsey.
“Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen are an extraordinary duo delving into this tragic story that has cast a long, terrifying shadow over American culture for nearly three decades,” said Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios.
The true crime series, currently titled “JonBenét Ramsey,” explores 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 of the show reads:
“It follows the Ramsey family, before and after the tragedy, as they endure the painful loss of a child while dealing with intense public criticism caused by a media frenzy that saw the case captivate an entire nation . At the heart of the series is the story of Patsy and John Ramsey – which explores the unbreakable partnership of these two complex people – as husband and wife, as mother and father – who dedicated themselves and their children to building the story of a a perfect, privileged life, but one Christmas night in 1996 it was destroyed.”
Richard LaGravense, Harrison Query and Tommy Wallach are writers and executive producers of 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 are directed by executive producer Anne Sewitsky. David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari and David Hutkin of 101 Studios also executive produce, while McCarthy also executive produces in addition to starring.
“JonBenét Ramsey remains 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 sharpness and nuance it deserves.”
“We have been working for some time to bring this thought-provoking and bold project to audiences and couldn’t be happier with the top team working in front of and behind the camera,” said Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios.
McCarthy received an Academy Award nomination for her role in the 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 also receiving five nominations and one win for her performances on “Saturday Night Live.”
She is represented by MGMT Entertainment and CAA.
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 a Movie for playing Ernest Hemingway in “Hemingway & Gellhorn.” He recently starred in shows like “Monsieur Spade,” “Impeachment: American Crime Story” and “A Murder at the End of the World” and previously helmed the medical drama “The Knick.” He is known for his roles in films such as ‘Children of Men’, ‘Croupier’, ‘Gosford Park’, ‘Inside Man’, ‘Sin City’ and ‘Shoot ‘Em Up’.
He is represented by CAA and Hirsch Wallerstein.
The JonBenét Ramsey case was the subject of intense media attention at the time and remains so even nearly thirty years later. Several documentaries and news specials have been made about the case so far.