In 2024, it was reported that a scripted miniseries about the unsolved murder of JonBenét Ramsey was in the works at Paramount+. Two years later, the series has gotten a major update, now revealed to be heading to Netflix instead, with plans to debut later this year.
Titled The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey, the series will stream exclusively on Netflix this winter. The series stars Melissa McCarthy and Live Owen, who will respectively portray Patsy and John Bennett Ramsey, the parents of JonBenét. Oscar nominee Richard LaGravenese is the showrunner, while Harrison Query and Tommy Tallach co-wrote the series. Anne Sewitsky (Presumed Innocent) is the director and serves as an executive producer alongside LaGravenese, McCarthy, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, and David Hutkin.
Emily Mitchell Plays JonBenét in the Miniseries
The miniseries, per the official logline, “centers on one of the most infamous unsolved murder cases in American history, and the devastating personal and public reckoning that followed the death of JonBenét Ramsey on Christmas night in 1996.”
“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,” Glasser previously said in a statement when the project was announced in 2024.
Along with McCarthy (Mike and Molly) and Owen (American Crime Story) as the parents, Emily Mitchell (Ordinary Angels) is portraying JonBenét. Other stars include Garrett Hedlund (Tulsa King) as Det. Steve Thomas, Alison Pill (The Newsroom) as Det. Linda Arndt, Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire) as Alex Hunter, Owen Teague (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) as Shane Edwards, Clifton Collins Jr. (Westworld) as Det. Tom Trujillo, Angus Caldwell (Unsung Hero) as Burke Ramsey, and Jaime Ray Newman (The Hunting Wives) as Amelia Hunt.
That Tragic Night in 1996 Is Revisited
Additionally, recurring stars include Rory Cochrane (Yellowstone) as John Eller, Chris Bauer (True Blood) as Chief Tom Koby, Will Patton (Horizon: An American Saga) as Lou Smit, Jeremy Bobb (The Knick) as Pete Hofstrom, John Billingsley (Star Trek: Enterprise) as Santa Bill McReynolds, and Josh Stamberg (Drop Dead Diva) as Reed Hunt. Guest stars include Margo Martindale (Justified) as Nedra Paugh and Tzi Ma (Mulan) as Dr. Henry Lee.
JonBenét Ramsey was tragically killed on Christmas night in 1996 as part of a case that received immense media coverage in the years that followed. There are multiple theories about what happened, with various suspects named as potential culprits, including her own parents. However, the case has never officially been solved, and JonBenét’s death remains one of the most infamous unsolved mysteries in U.S. history after three decades.
The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey will debut on Netflix in Winter 2026.
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