Two prominent actors have joined the cast of theJonBenét Ramseylimited series in development at Paramount+. The six-episode series will be showrun byFreedom Writers' Richard LaGravense, who is writing and executive producing alongside Harrison Query and Tommy Wallach. It is set to dramatize the real-life incident in which child beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey was found murdered on Christmas in 1996 at the age of 6, a notorious cold case that remains unsolved.
PerVariety,two Oscar-nominated actors have joined the cast of the Paramount+ show as JonBenét Ramsey’s parents, who were at times suspected of the murder. Melissa McCarthy, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress forBridesmaidsand Best Actress inCan You Ever Forgive Me?will be playing Patsy Ramsey while Clive Owen, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor forCloser, will be playing John Bennett Ramsey, who is the one who discovered their daughter’s body in 1996.
Paramount Global co-CEO Chris McCarthy said “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.” Below, read additional statements from Executive Vice President of Programming for Paramount+ Jeff Grossman and 101 Studios CEO David C. Glasser as well asthe official synopsis for the show:
Jeff Grossman:JonBenét Ramsey continues to be one of the country’s most fascinating unsolved murders. 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.David C. Glasser: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.Synopsis: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.
What This Casting Announcement Means For JonBenét Ramsey
Melissa McCathy And Clive Owen Are Well-Equipped For The Subject Matter
As Grossman states, this casting does bring a pair of nuanced performers to the fore in this story about one of America’s most notorious and ambiguous unsolved cases. While the best-knownMelissa McCarthy moviesfeature broad comic performances includingBridesmaids,Spy, andThe Heat,she is also known for playing complicated characters in layered dramasincludingCan You Ever Forgive Me?Since her Oscar-nominated turn in that 2018 title, she has taken on further dramatic roles in projects includingThe StarlingandNine Perfect Strangers.
Can You Ever Forgive Me?earned two additional Oscar nominations, for supporting actor Richard E. Grant and screenwriters Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty.
McCarthy’s future co-star Clive Owen is similar equipped to tackle the subject matter with a nuanced performance.He is already known for more small-scale dramasfrom his roles in projects including the noir-inspired titlesMonsieur SpadeandCroupier. He has also given memorable performances in a range of movies and television shows from different genres and budget levels including2004’sKing Arthur,Children of Men,Lisey’s Story,American Crime Story, andSin City.
Our Take On The JonBenét Ramsey Casting
Assembling A Stellar Cast Is The Best Move For The Project
JonBenét Ramseyis perhaps unavoidably wading into controversial territory by dramatizing one of the darkest chapters in American true crime history. However, an adaptation of the cold case was likely in the cards given the preponderance of moderntrue crime drama showsadapting the stories of major modern murders includingDahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story,The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story, andThe Act. Given this, the best move to temper the possible controversy could very well be bringing in skilled actors who can avoid making the material feel particularly exploitative.
