Manhunt (miniseries)

Last updated
Manhunt
Genre
Created by Monica Beletsky
Based onManhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer
by James L. Swanson
Directed by Carl Franklin
John Dahl
Eva Sørhaug
Starring
Opening theme"Egún" by Danielle Ponder
Composer Bryce Dessner
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes7
Production
Executive producers
Production companies
Original release
Network Apple TV+
ReleaseMarch 15 (2024-03-15) 
April 19, 2024 (2024-04-19)

Manhunt is an American historical drama miniseries created by showrunner Monica Beletsky, adapted from James L. Swanson's 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, the series was produced for Apple TV+, and released on March 15, 2024. [1]

Contents

Premise

After President Abraham Lincoln's assassination, his secretary of war and friend, Edwin Stanton begins the manhunt to track down Lincoln's assassin John Wilkes Booth. [2]

Cast and characters

Main

Supporting

Episodes

No.Title [3] Directed byWritten by [3] Original release date [1]
1"Pilot" Carl Franklin Teleplay by: Monica Beletsky March 15, 2024 (2024-03-15)
2"Post Mortem"Carl FranklinTeleplay by: Monica Beletsky
Story by: Monica Beletsky & Matt Johnson
March 15, 2024 (2024-03-15)
3"Let the Sheep Flee" John Dahl Monica Beletsky & Ben H. Winters March 22, 2024 (2024-03-22)
4"The Secret Line"John DahlMonica Beletsky & Tim BrittainMarch 29, 2024 (2024-03-29)
5"A Man of Destiny"Eva SørhaugMonica Beletsky & Matthew FennellApril 5, 2024 (2024-04-05)
6"Useless"Eva SørhaugMonica Beletsky & Jan Oxenberg April 12, 2024 (2024-04-12)
7"The Final Act"Eva SørhaugMonica BeletskyApril 19, 2024 (2024-04-19)

Production

In January 2022, a series adaptation of Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson was first announced. The series was created and written by showrunner Monica Beletsky as the first project in her overall deal with Apple, and Carl Franklin will direct. [2] The following month, Anthony Boyle and Lovie Simone were added to the cast, with Boyle portraying John Wilkes Booth. [4] Matt Walsh would be cast as Samuel Mudd in March. [5] Additional casting would be announced in May. [6]

Pre-production for the series began in Savannah, Georgia in February 2022, with filming beginning in May and set to finish by October. [7] Filming of the assassination at Ford's Theatre began on location at the Miller Theater, a historic location in Philadelphia, in June 2022. [8]

The programme was presented as being partly fictionalised, with some characters and events created for dramatic purposes. [9]

Reception

The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported an 87% approval rating with an average rating of 7.3/10, based on 46 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Dramatizing a flashpoint in American history with hot-blooded performances and contemporary resonance, Manhunt transcends the trappings of wax museum recreation to deliver addicting entertainment." [10] Metacritic assigned a score of 65 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [11] Angie Han praised the series' themes and the performances of the cast. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Wilkes Booth</span> American stage actor and assassin (1838–1865)

John Wilkes Booth was an American stage actor who assassinated United States President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 1865. A member of the prominent 19th-century Booth theatrical family from Maryland, he was a noted actor who was also a Confederate sympathizer; denouncing President Lincoln, he lamented the then-recent abolition of slavery in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Mudd</span> American physician implicated in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Samuel Alexander Mudd Sr. was an American physician who was imprisoned for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth concerning the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Surratt</span> American boarding house owner convicted as a conspirator to murder (1823–1865)

Mary Elizabeth Jenkins Surratt was an American boarding house owner in Washington, D.C., who was convicted of taking part in the conspiracy which led to the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. Sentenced to death, she was hanged and became the first woman executed by the U.S. federal government. She maintained her innocence until her death, and the case against her was and remains controversial. Surratt was the mother of John Surratt, who was later tried in the conspiracy, but was not convicted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Herold</span> Accomplice of John Wilkes Booth (1842–1865)

David Edgar Herold was an American pharmacist's assistant and accomplice of John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865. After the shooting, Herold accompanied Booth to the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd, who set Booth's injured leg. The two men then continued their escape through Maryland and into Virginia, and Herold remained with Booth until the authorities cornered them in a barn. Herold surrendered, but Booth was shot to death by Sergeant Boston Corbett. Herold was tried by a military tribunal, sentenced to death for conspiracy, and hanged with three other conspirators at the Washington Arsenal, now known as Fort Lesley J. McNair.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Atzerodt</span> American assassin (1835–1865)

George Andrew Atzerodt was a German American repairman, Confederate sympathizer, and conspirator assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. He was assigned to assassinate Vice President Andrew Johnson, but lost his nerve and made no attempt. Atzerodt was tried by a military tribunal, sentenced to death for conspiracy, and hanged along with three other conspirators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Louis J. Weichmann</span> Witness to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Louis J. Weichmann was an American clerk who was one of the chief witnesses for the prosecution in the trial following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Previously, he had also been a suspect in the conspiracy because of his association with Mary Surratt's family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Surratt</span> Accused conspirator in assassination of Abraham Lincoln (1844–1916)

John Harrison Surratt Jr. was an American Confederate spy who was accused of plotting with John Wilkes Booth to kidnap U.S. President Abraham Lincoln; he was also suspected of involvement in the Abraham Lincoln assassination. His mother, Mary Surratt, was convicted of conspiracy by a military tribunal and hanged; she owned the boarding house that the conspirators used as a safe house and to plot the scheme.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Assassination of Abraham Lincoln</span> 1865 murder in Washington, D.C., US

On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending the play Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Shot in the head as he watched the play, Lincoln died of his wounds the following day at 7:22 am in the Petersen House opposite the theater. He was the first U.S. president to be assassinated. His funeral and burial were marked by an extended period of national mourning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael O'Laughlen</span> Conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln

Michael O'Laughlen, Jr. was an American Confederate soldier and conspirator in John Wilkes Booth's plot to kidnap U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, and later in the latter's assassination, although he ended up not directly participating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samuel Arnold (conspirator)</span> Lincoln conspirator (1834–1906)

Samuel Bland Arnold was an American Confederate sympathizer involved in a plot to kidnap U.S. President Abraham Lincoln in 1865. He had joined the Confederate Army shortly after the start of the Civil War but was discharged due to health reasons in 1864.

James Otis Hall was an amateur historian who specialized in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. He was widely regarded as one of the top experts on this matter, and is noted for having discovered a letter by John Wilkes Booth, written on the morning of the murder, in which Booth attempted to justify his actions. He also argued that Samuel Mudd was guilty of helping Booth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surratt House Museum</span> Historic house in Maryland, United States

The Surratt House is a historic house and house museum located at 9110 Brandywine Road in Clinton, Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. The house is named for John and Mary Surratt, who built it in 1852. Mary Surratt was hanged in 1865 for being a co-conspirator in the Abraham Lincoln assassination. It was acquired by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) in 1965, restored, and opened to the public as a museum in 1976.

<i>The Day Lincoln Was Shot</i> 1998 American TV series or program

The Day Lincoln Was Shot is a 1998 American television film based on the book by Jim Bishop. It is a re-creation of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, co-written and directed by John Gray, and stars Lance Henriksen as Abraham Lincoln and Rob Morrow as John Wilkes Booth.

John Minchin Lloyd was a bricklayer and police officer in Washington, D.C., in the United States. He was one of the first police officers hired by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia when its Day Watch was first formed in 1855. He played a role in the trial of the conspirators in the Abraham Lincoln assassination. Arrested but never charged in the conspiracy, Lloyd's testimony was critical in convicting Mary Surratt.

<i>The Prisoner of Shark Island</i> 1936 film by John Ford

The Prisoner of Shark Island is a 1936 American drama film loosely based on the life of Maryland physician Samuel Mudd, who treated the injured presidential assassin John Wilkes Booth and later spent time in prison after his controversial conviction for being one of Booth's accomplices. The film was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck, was directed by John Ford and starred Warner Baxter and Gloria Stuart.

James W. Pumphrey was a livery stable owner in Washington, D.C., who played a minor role in the events surrounding the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and its aftermath. Assassin John Wilkes Booth hired a horse from Pumphrey which he used to escape after the deed.

<i>The Conspirator</i> 2010 American historical drama film by Robert Redford

The Conspirator is a 2010 American mystery historical drama film directed by Robert Redford and based on an original screenplay by James D. Solomon. It is the debut film of the American Film Company. The film tells the story of Mary Surratt, the only female conspirator charged in the Abraham Lincoln assassination and the first woman to be executed by the US federal government. It stars Robin Wright as Mary Surratt, together with James McAvoy, Justin Long, Evan Rachel Wood, Jonathan Groff, Tom Wilkinson, Alexis Bledel, Kevin Kline, John Cullum, Toby Kebbell, and James Badge Dale.

Monica Beletsky is an American television producer and screenwriter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovie Simone</span> American actress

Lovie Simone Oppong is an American actress, best known for her role as Zora Greenleaf in drama series Greenleaf.

<i>The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd</i> 1980 film by Paul Wendkos

The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd is a 1980 historical drama film directed by Paul Wendkos. Based on a true story, it revolves around the 1865 assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Dennis Weaver plays the lead role of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, who was imprisoned for conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the killing.

References

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  2. 1 2 Otterson, Joe (January 5, 2022). "Apple Orders Limited Series About Hunt for John Wilkes Booth From Monica Beletsky, Tobias Menzies to Star". Variety . Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 7, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  3. 1 2 "Manhunt". Writers Guild of America West . March 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  4. Petski, Denise (February 25, 2022). "Anthony Boyle & Lovie Simone Join Tobias Menzies In Apple's Lincoln Assassination Limited Series Manhunt". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  5. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 30, 2022). "Apple's Lincoln Assassination Limited Series Manhunt Finds Its Dr. Mudd In Matt Walsh". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  6. Petski, Denise (May 10, 2022). "Apple Limited Series Manhunt Adds Seven To Cast". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on 10 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2022.
  7. "Crew Call: Manhunt". Savannah Regional Film Commission. January 13, 2022. Archived from the original on 11 June 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  8. Vadala, Nick (June 30, 2022). "There's a new TV show filming in Philadelphia". The Philadelphia Inquirer . Archived from the original on July 2, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  9. https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/manhunt-apple-tv-accuracy-true-story-abraham-lincoln-assassination-1235940325/ ‘Manhunt’ Creator Answers Burning Questions: Why Lincoln’s Onscreen Assassination Had to Be Gory, How Much Is Historically Accurate and More]. Retrieved 29 March 2024
  10. "Manhunt: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  11. "Manhunt: Season 1". Metacritic . Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  12. Han, Angie (March 12, 2024). "'Manhunt' Review: Tobias Menzies in Apple TV+'s Smart Series About the Search for Lincoln's Assassin". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 15, 2024.