Paramount+ has today given a series order to the original limited series JonBenét Ramsey starring Academy Award nominees Melissa McCarthy (Can You Ever Forgive Me?) and Clive Owen (Closer). Production will begin in Calgary, Canada later this year.
The series will explore the tragic unsolved murder of 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey. 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 (McCarthy) and John Ramsey (Owen) - 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 LaGravenese created the series. He will executive produce with McCarthy, David C. Glasser, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, David Hutkin, Harrison Query, Tommy Wallach and director Anne Sewitsky. MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios will produce.
"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, Co-CEO of Paramount Global and President/CEO of Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios.
"JonBenét Ramsey continues to be one of the country's most fascinating unsolved murders," added Jeff Grossman, Executive Vice President of 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."