23 June, 2024 Siobhan Marie Day 0 Comments 3 categories

Genre: Conspiracy thriller, and Historical drama, and Created by Monica Beletsky, and Based on "Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer" by James L. Swanson, with Showrunner: Monica Beletsky, and Directed by Carl Franklin, John Dahl, and Eva Sørhaug, Starring: Tobias Menzies, Anthony Boyle, Lovie Simone, Will Harrison, Brandon Flynn, Damian O'Hare, Glenn Morshower, Patton Oswalt, Matt Walsh, Hamish Linklater, with Opening theme: "Egún" by Danielle Ponder, and Composer: Bryce Dessner, Country of origin: United States, Original language: English, No. of episodes: 7, with Executive producers: Monica Beletsky, Layne Eskridge, Kate Barry, James L. Swanson, Michael Rotenberg, Richard Abate, Frank Smith, Naia Cucukov, and Carl Franklin, with Production companies: POV Entertainment, Dovetale Productions, Monarch Pictures, Walden Media, 3 Arts Entertainment, Lionsgate Television, and Apple Studios, and Original Network: Apple TV+ (2024)

The Manhunt for History…

Manhunt is an American historical drama miniseries created by showrunner Monica Beletsky, adapted from James L. Swanson‘s 2007 book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer. The series follows Edwin Stanton‘s search for John Wilkes Booth in the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln‘s assassination. Directed by Carl Franklin and starring Tobias Menzies and Anthony Boyle, the series was produced for Apple TV+, and released on March 15, 2024.

Monica Beletsky of "Manhunt" poses for TV Guide Magazine during the 2024 Winter TCA Portrait Studio at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on February 5, 2024 in Pasadena, California. Photo by Maarten de Boer/Contour by Getty Images

James L. Swanson (born February 12, 1959) is an American author and historian famous for his New York Times best-seller Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer, focusing on the biography of John Wilkes Booth and his plot to kill Lincoln and other cabinet members. For this book he earned an Edgar Award. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation and in the past has appeared on C-SPAN on behalf of the Koch-affiliated libertarian CATO Institute think tank. Photo Credit: Google Images

Now an Apple TV+ Series “A terrific narrative of the hunt for Lincoln’s killers that will mesmerize the reader from start to finish.”—Doris Kearns Goodwin The murder of Abraham Lincoln set off the greatest manhunt in American history--the pursuit and capture of John Wilkes Booth. From April 14 to April 26, 1865, the assassin led Union cavalry troops on a wild, 12-day chase from the streets of Washington, D.C., across the swamps of Maryland, and into the forests of Virginia, while the nation, still reeling from the just-ended Civil War, watched in horror and sadness. Based on rare archival materials, obscure trial transcripts, and Lincoln’s own blood relics Manhunt is a fully documented, fascinating tale of murder, intrigue, and betrayal. A gripping hour-by-hour account told through the eyes of the hunted and the hunters, it is history as it’s never been read before. Photo Credit: Amazon.com

Tobias Menzies as Edwin Stanton in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Anthony Boyle as John Wilkes Booth in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Lili Taylor and Hamish Linklater in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Carl Franklin attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton on January 10, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo by Kevin Winter/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

Tobias Menzies attends a Conversation with Jessica Shaw - "Manhunt" at 92NY on March 11, 2024 in New York City. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Anthony Boyle of "Manhunt" poses for TV Guide Magazine during the 2024 Winter TCA Portrait Studio at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on February 5, 2024 in Pasadena, California. Photo by Maarten de Boer/Contour by Getty Images

After President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, his secretary of war and friend, Edwin Stanton begins the 12-day manhunt to track down Lincoln’s assassin John Wilkes Booth.

Edwin McMasters Stanton (December 19, 1814 – December 24, 1869) was an American lawyer and politician who served as U.S. Secretary of War under the Lincoln Administration during most of the American Civil War. Stanton's management helped organize the massive military resources of the North and guide the Union to victory. However, he was criticized by many Union generals, who perceived him as overcautious and micromanagerial. He also organized the manhunt for Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth. After Lincoln's assassination, Stanton remained as the Secretary of War under the new US president, Andrew Johnson, during the first years of Reconstruction. He opposed the lenient policies of Johnson towards the former Confederate States. Johnson's attempt to dismiss Stanton ultimately led to Johnson being impeached by the Radical Republicans in the House of Representatives. Stanton returned to law after he retired as Secretary of War. In 1869, he was nominated as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by Johnson's successor, Ulysses S. Grant, but Stanton died four days after his nomination was confirmed by the Senate. He remains the only confirmed nominee to accept but die before serving on the Court. Photo Credit: Library of Congress

News of Booth’s escape traveled far and wide. Broadside advertising reward for capture of Lincoln assassination conspirators, illustrated with photographic prints of John Surratt, John Wilkes Booth, and David Herold. Photo: Library of Congress/Wikimedia Commons.

The limited series consisted of seven episodes that concluded with the series finale on April 19, 2024. The miniseries co-stars Lovie Simone, Will Harrison, Brandon Flynn, Damian O’Hare, Glenn Morshower, Patton Oswalt, Matt Walsh, and Hamish Linklater as President Abraham Lincoln.

Lovie Simone as Mary Simms in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Will Harrison as David Herold in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Brandon Flynn as Edwin Stanton Jr. in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Damian O'Hare as Thomas Eckert in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Glenn Morshower as Andrew Johnson in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Patton Oswalt as Lafayette C. Baker in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Matt Walsh as Samuel Mudd in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Hamish Linklater as Abraham Lincoln in "Manhunt" (2024) Photo Credit: Apple TV+

Manhunt is the Featured Television Blog of the month for June! You can expect a detailed critique of the series’ real-life characters. There is also a detailed recommendation of the series with the detailed synopsis of the seven episodes. There is also a detailed review of the 2007 book the series is based on by James L. Swanson. For the interview, actor Tobia Menzies talks about true crime history and his series Manhunt with Good Morning America. There is also a Top Ten List, and for Manhunt, the list is My Top Ten Presidential Series. Last but not least, the Featured Television Blog of the month includes an Official Trailer for the featured series!