A JonBenét Ramsey limited series is in the works at Paramount+ with Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen set to star. The streamer announced on Thursday, September 19 that Margo Martindale will appear in the true-crime series in a guest role as Patsy Ramsey’s mother, Nedra.
As previously announced, McCarthy and Owen will play JonBenét’s parents, Patsy and John Bennett Ramsey, with Emily Mitchell set to play JonBenét. Garrett Hedlund, Alison Pill, Shea Whigham. Will Patton, Clifton Collins Jr., Chris Bauer, and more are also in the cast. Most of the actors are playing characters based on real people tied to the infamous unsolved murder case.
The series is currently titled JonBenét Ramsey and was previously announced as in development in March 2024. It did not have a network attached at the time, but Paramount+ has since picked it up. The series is centered on the young girl’s parents. Here’s all there is to know so far about the true crime drama.
What is the JonBenét Ramsey series about?
The 6-year-old Ramsey was reported missing from her Boulder, Colorado, home in 1996 and was later found dead in the house on Christmas of that year. Her death was ruled a homicide, but who killed her and why remains a mystery to this day. The child’s murder is one of the most notorious unsolved murders in modern American history. The 30th anniversary of the case is approaching in December 2026.
The Paramount+ limited series “explores the tragic unsolved murder of six-year-old beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey” and will follow “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,” according to the official series description. “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.”
The show will consist of eight episodes. Production will begin in Calgary, Canada, though the streaming service did not specify when.
Who is in the JonBenét Ramsey series cast?
Melissa McCarthy, Emily Mitchell, Clive Owen (Dia Dipasupil / Michael Loccisano / Michael Tullberg / Getty Images)
McCarthy and Owen will play the young girl’s parents. Whigham plays District Attorney Alex Hunter, an acquaintance of the Ramsey family. Patton plays Lou Smit, described as “a legend among law enforcement, who has worked over 150 homicide cases in Boulder Springs.”
Mitchell will play the titular role. She will soon be seen playing a young Ivanka Trump in The Apprentice film and was previously seen as young Lisa Marie Presley in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla. Mitchell’s JonBenét is described as “a girl from an affluent family and child beauty queen, whose murder is at the heart of the story.”
Hedlund will play Detective Steve Thomas, “a seasoned detective who is brought onto the JonBenét case.” Pill plays Detective Linda Arndt of the Boulder, Colorado police, “who along with partner Detective Trujillo, is first on the scene after JonBenét Ramsey is reported missing/kidnapped.” Owen Teague will play Jeff Shapiro, described as “a cocky, risk-taking reporter for the Globe tabloid.”
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Dopesick‘s Jaime Ray Newman and Fleishman Is in Trouble‘s Josh Stamberg will play recurring roles, Deadline announced Friday, September 13. But unlike the aforementioned cast, they’re playing characters seemingly made for the series.
Newman plays Amelia Hunt, described as “an upscale and wealthy good friend of John Ramsey who is part of the group of Boulder women with kids who are friends with Patsy.” Stamberg plays Reed Hunt, “a recently retired oil magnate and a good friend of John Ramsey’s.”
Collins Jr. plays Detective Trujillo, the real-life Boulder Colorado police detective “who does his job but without exhibiting much initiative,” per Deadline. Bauer plays Boulder Police Chief Tom Koby, “whose department is the first on the scene after JonBenét was reported kidnapped.” Rory Cochrane portrays John Eller, “the Detective Division Commander of the Boulder Police Department.” And Angus Caldwell is Burke Ramsey, John and Patsy’s eldest son and JonBenét’s older brother.
Three-time Emmy-winner Martindale will play Nedra, Patsy’s mother. Paramount+ describes Nedra as tough, blunt, outspoken, and unafraid to speak her mind.
“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,” Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios, said in a statement on Thursday, September 5.
“JonBenét Ramsey continues to be one of the country’s most fascinating unsolved murders,” said Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President, Programming, 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,” said David Glasser, CEO of 101 Studios.
JonBenét Ramsey is written by Richard LaGravense, Harrison Query, and Tommy Wallach, with Oscar-nominee LaGravense (Behind the Candelabra) serving as showrunner. Four of the eight episodes, including the first episode, will be directed by Anne Sewitsky (Presumed Innocent), who will also serve as executive producer.
What does the JonBenét Ramsey series premiere?
There is no release date for the limited series just yet, but given the anniversary noted in the show’s announcement, it seems likely that it will come out in 2026.
Is there a trailer for the JonBenét Ramsey series?
There are no trailers or photos from the series yet as it has not begun filming, but stay tuned here as we continue to report the latest developments.
JonBenét Ramsey, Limited Series Premiere, TBA, Paramount+
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