JonBenét Ramsey - Limited Series (Paramount+)

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Melissa McCarthy, Clive Owen to Star in JonBenét Ramsey Limited Series at Paramount+

Melissa McCarthy and Clive Owen are set to lead a limited series on the JonBenét Ramsey case at Paramount+, Variety has learned.

The show was first reported to be in the works back in March, but it had not 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 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.

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.”

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.

“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.

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.”