WEDNESDAY CELEBS
Q: It’s been a while since I’ve heard anything about “Ozark.” Can you give me any information? It will be back, won’t it? – Christopher T.,
Alliance, Ohio A: The Jason Bateman-starring drama will return to Netflix for its second season on Aug. 31, when the streaming network drops 10 brand-new episodes. Judging by the trailer for new season, it’s going to be even darker than the first (if that’s even possible). The preview opens with the Byrde family attending a funeral, with Wendy’s (Laura Linney) voiceover to Marty (Jason Bateman): “We’ve done a lot of things – things that we said we would never do . ... What is the endgame?” I’m am eager to find out. *** Q: One of my guilty pleasures is bingewatching “Forensic Files,” and I came across an interesting episode about an author, Michael Peterson, accused of killing his wife, and at the end, they had a postscript written on-screen to say that he got a new trial and ended up being released. What’s the story behind that?
– Gina T., via email A: I remember hearing about this case when it came out, and it has more twists and turns than one of Michael’s own novels. “The Staircase,” which was originally released in 2004 in France, is a 13-part miniseries on Netflix that tells the whole story of the murder, the new trial and suppositions about what Michael says actually happened that night. It is quite engrossing and really explores the American judicial system. If you liked “Making a Murderer,” then give “The Staircase” a try. Email Cindy at King Features Weekly Service at letters@cindyelavsky.com.