7.260 minSeason 1 • Episode 7
LatestIn 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.
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.
Acting
Giamatti's tantrums are somehow presidential.
Production
They built revolutionary Philadelphia, no green screen cop-outs.
Costume
The wigs deserve their own Emmy category.
Creator
Kirk Ellis
Paul Giamatti
John Adams
Laura Linney
Abigail Adams
Stephen Dillane
Thomas Jefferson
Danny Huston
Samuel Adams
David Morse
George Washington
Sarah Polley
Abigail Adams Smith
Tom Wilkinson
Benjamin Franklin
Steven Hinkle
Young John Quincy Adams
Madeline Taylor
Young Nabby Adams
John Dossett
Benjamin Rush
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
John Quincy Adams
Samuel Barnett
Thomas Adams
Andrew Scott
Colonel William Smith
Kevin Trainor
Charles Adams
Mamie Gummer
Sally Smith Adams
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Paul Giamatti is actually descended from John Adams' great-great-grandfather—method casting by bloodline.
This aired during the 2008 election cycle, making audiences weirdly nostalgic for politicians who read books. HBO knew what they were doing.
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