John Adams (2008– )

The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.

Stars:

Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, John Dossett

Won 4 Golden Globes. Another 34 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Paul Giamatti	...	John Adams (7 episodes, 2008)
Laura Linney	...	Abigail Adams (7 episodes, 2008)
John Dossett	...	Benjamin Rush (6 episodes, 2008)
Stephen Dillane	...	Thomas Jefferson (5 episodes, 2008)
Sarah Polley	...	Nabby Adams (4 episodes, 2008)
Samuel Barnett	...	Thomas Adams (4 episodes, 2008)
Danny Huston	...	Samuel Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
David Morse	...	George Washington (3 episodes, 2008)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach	...	John Quincy Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Steven Hinkle	...	Young John Quincy Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Madeline Taylor	...	Young Nabby Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Mamie Gummer	...	Sally Smith Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Kevin Trainor	...	Charles Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Andrew Scott	...	Colonel William Smith (3 episodes, 2008)
Tom Wilkinson	...	Benjamin Franklin (3 episodes, 2008)
Michael Hall D'Addario	...	Young Charles Adams (3 episodes, 2008)
Rufus Sewell	...	Alexander Hamilton (2 episodes, 2008)
Justin Theroux	...	John Hancock (2 episodes, 2008)
Judith Magre	...	Madame Helvétius (2 episodes, 2008)
Brennan Brown	...	Robert Treat Paine (2 episodes, 2008)
Tom Beckett	...	Elbridge Gerry (2 episodes, 2008)
Jules Croiset	...	Second Dutch Banker (2 episodes, 2008)
Sieger Sloot	...	Dutch Man (2 episodes, 2008)
Lex van Delden	...	First Dutch Banker (2 episodes, 2008)
Tim Seip	...	Sons of Liberty (2 episodes, 2008)

Storyline

The life of one of the USA's Founding Fathers, its second President, and his role in the nation's first 50 years.

---

Plot Keywords:

john adams | colonial america | philadelphia pennsylvania | thomas jefferson | father son relationship | 

---

Taglines:

He United the States of America.

---

Genres:

Biography | Drama | History

---

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 March 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled John Adams Miniseries

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, High Noon Productions, Playtone

Technical Specs

Runtime:

501 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While Adams' last words were reportedly "Jefferson survives", in reality Jefferson had died several hours earlier. Adams never received the news of his death. And while "Jefferson Survives" was apparently his last eloquently spoken words, his actual last words was a panicked cry of help to one of his grandchildren before he died.

---

Goofs

When John Adams is shown John Trumbull's painting, "Declaration of Independence" by Trumbull and John Quincy Adams, he comments in an archetypal scene of an elderly man looking at a group painting from long ago, that all of the men (apart from Jefferson and himself) are dead. In fact, Charles Carroll of Carrollton is the shown as the center of the three men seated in the back row, in front of the room's left door; Carroll was also alive when Adams saw the painting and he survived Adams and Jefferson by more than six years. However, Adams and Jefferson *were* the only men alive at that point who were members of the Continental Congress on 28 June 1776 when the painting takes place, and/or who voted in favor of the Declaration on 4 July 1776. Carroll was elected to office on 4 July.

---

Quotes

John Adams: I will not voluntarily put on the chains of France while struggling to throw off those of Great Britain!

---

Connections

Featured in Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech (2009)

---

Soundtracks

"Chester"
By William Billings

User Reviews

Worthy of Golden Globe, Emmy

The only t.v. dramas (historical or otherwise) that I would watch was Masterpiece Theatre because they were mostly British made and classy. Now we have something to rival anything that Masterpiece Theatre put out: John Adams. First, the theme music is first rate slowing building up to a quiet crescendo. Second, the photography is of a theatrical release quality. The set and production values are first rate: you feel as if you are in the scenery and living at that time of our history. The makeup and costumes are historically correct or close to it. Finally, what superb acting by Giamatti and the great Laura Linney and the supporting actors are fine. In fact, I can not find a fault with this mini-series so far.I look forward to watching every Sunday on HBO. I agree with others who say this will win Golden Globe and Emmy Awards. For anyone who says this is boring or lacking bloodshed and violence, I say: "Your ignorance is beneath my contempt" - John Adams, 1777( to Samuel Furlong who told Adams that the 'Declaration of Independency would be the death warrant of the colonies."