John Adams

2008 - 2008

Join or Die

16th March 2008

Episode 1

In an emotionally charged trial John Adams defends the British sentries involved in the Boston Massacre who contend they were provoked into firing on the assembled crowd. John's success brings him offers of positions in the Massachusetts government. But after John Hancock rouses a crowd to tar and feather a representative of the British East India Tea Company and the British respond to the growing unrest with oppressive measures, John instead speaks against the British policies and chooses to represent Massachusetts in the Continental Congress.

Independence

16th March 2008

Episode 2

After viewing the dead and wounded on the battlefield of Concord, John Adams takes up the cause of Independence. Frustrated by the caution of delegates from colonies that do not share Massachusetts plight, the inexperienced politician is abrasive, obnoxious and even insulting. But with the advice of Abigail and Ben Franklin he soon learns he has allies, to cultivate them, to bide his time and to seize opportunities. Following John's nomination, George Washington takes charge of the army and enjoys successes despite supply shortages. Back at home, Abigail and the children risk supporting the war effort in most tangible ways but find Mother Nature more threatening.

Don't Tread on Me

23rd March 2008

Episode 3

Over the emotional objections of Abigail, John Adam and his son endure turbulent seas and an encounter with the British Navy to join Ben Franklin on a diplomatic mission to Paris. But Ben cannot restrain John's abrasive personality which is even less well suited to Paris than Philadelphia.

Reunion

30th March 2008

Episode 4

Following the surrender of the British, John secures a long sought loan from the Dutch and returns to Paris to oversee the peace treaty. John can no longer bear his absence from Abigail and invites her to Paris which immediately overwhelms her with it's opulence. John is appointed ambassador to England but soon longs to return home to participate in the formation of the new government and, like Abigail, to be reunited with the children. They return home to an overwhelming welcome and John reluctantly returns to public service.

Unite or Die

Episode 5

John Adams chaffs under the mantle of Vice President for its utter lack of authority and responsibility. Despite his abhorrence of the divisiveness of political parties John is drawn to the Federalist camp favoring a strong executive. Divisions even reach into the President's cabinet, exacerbated by war in Europe.

Unnecessary War

13th April 2008

Episode 6

Following the peace treaty with England President Adams struggles to avoid war with France despite pressure from his Federalist cabinet and French provocation. John finds the price of peace to his career and the price of his long career of public service to his family is indeed high.

Peacefield

20th April 2008

Episode 7

In retirement John Adams laments the perils of a long life; loss of loved ones and growing irrelevance. But out of tragedy John rekindles his broken friendship with Thomas Jefferson and lives to discuss John Quincy's ambitious presidential agenda with him.

Top Cast

Paul Giamatti•Laura Linney•Stephen Dillane

Director

Tom Hooper

Writer

Kirk Ellis

Adapted from David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, this lavish seven-part miniseries chronicles the life of Founding Father John Adams, starting with the Boston Massacre of 1770 through his years as an ambassador in Europe, then his terms as vice president and president of the United States, up to his death on July 4, 1826.

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Full Cast

Paul Giamatti Image

Paul Giamatti

John Adams

Laura Linney Image

Laura Linney

Abigail Adams

Stephen Dillane Image

Stephen Dillane

Thomas Jefferson

Danny Huston Image

Danny Huston

Samuel Adams

David Morse Image

David Morse

George Washington

Sarah Polley Image

Sarah Polley

Abigail Adams Smith

Tom Wilkinson Image

Tom Wilkinson

Benjamin Franklin

Steven Hinkle Image

Steven Hinkle

Young John Quincy Adams

Madeline Taylor Image

Madeline Taylor

Young Nabby Adams

John Dossett Image

John Dossett

Benjamin Rush

Ebon Moss-Bachrach Image

Ebon Moss-Bachrach

John Quincy Adams

Samuel Barnett Image

Samuel Barnett

Thomas Adams

Andrew Scott Image

Andrew Scott

Colonel William Smith

Kevin Trainor Image

Kevin Trainor

Charles Adams

Mamie Gummer Image

Mamie Gummer

Sally Smith Adams

Full Crew

David Coatsworth

Producer

Gary Goetzman Image

Gary Goetzman

Executive Producer

Steven Shareshian

Producer

Tom Hanks Image

Tom Hanks

Executive Producer

David Crank

Supervising Art Director

Melanie Oliver

Editor

Kathy Lucas

Set Decoration

David McCullough Image

David McCullough

Book

Tom Hooper Image

Tom Hooper

Director

Kirk Ellis

Writer

Trefor Proud

Makeup Designer

Jon Henry Gordon

Hairstylist

John R. Bayless

Makeup Artist

Christian Burgoyne

Special Effects Makeup Artist

Kathleen Chopin

Casting

Cheryl 'Pickles' Kinion

Makeup Artist

Colleen Wheeler

Hair Supervisor

Donna Zakowska Image

Donna Zakowska

Costume Design

John Warnke

Art Direction

Matthew W. Mungle Image

Matthew W. Mungle

Prosthetic Makeup Artist

Nina Gold Image

Nina Gold

Casting

John P. Goldsmith

Art Direction

W. Steven Graham

Art Direction

Jan Archibald

Hair Department Head

Nancy Keslar

Hair Supervisor

Amy McKenzie

Associate Producer

Greg Spence

Associate Producer

Frank Doelger

Co-Executive Producer

Kirk Saduski

Co-Producer

Kirk Ellis

Co-Executive Producer

Graham Yost Image

Graham Yost

Consulting Producer

David Swayze

Assistant Art Director

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