Series synopsis
Mercy Street is an American drama television series that premiered on PBS on January 17, 2016. It ended on March 5, 2017. It was created by David Zabel, Lisa Q. Wolfinger. It stars Josh Radnor, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, McKinley Belcher III and Hannah James.
Follows the lives of two volunteer nurses on opposing sides of the Civil War - New England abolitionist Mary Phinney and Confederate supporter Emma Green. Based on true stories and set in a Union hospital in the occupied Confederate city of Alexandria, viewers are taken beyond the battlefield and into the lives of Americans on the Civil War home front as they face the unprecedented challenges of one of the most turbulent times in our nation’s history.
Premise
Follows the lives of two volunteer nurses on opposing sides of the Civil War - New England abolitionist Mary Phinney and Confederate supporter Emma Green. Based on true stories and set in a Union hospital in the occupied Confederate city of Alexandria, viewers are taken beyond the battlefield and into the lives of Americans on the Civil War home front as they face the unprecedented challenges of one of the most turbulent times in our nation’s history.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Josh Radnor as Dr. Jed Foster
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Mary Phinney
- McKinley Belcher III as Samuel Diggs
- Hannah James as Emma Green
- Tara Summers as Anne Hastings
- Norbert Leo Butz as Dr. Byron Hale
- AnnaSophia Robb as Alice Green
- Shalita Grant as Aurelia Johnson
Supporting cast
- L. Scott Caldwell as Belinda Gibson
- Luke Macfarlane as Chaplain Henry Hopkins
- Peter Gerety as Dr. Alfred Summers
- Jack Falahee as Frank Stringfellow
- Donna Murphy as Jane Green
- Brad Koed as James Green, Jr.
- Gary Cole as James Green, Sr.
- Suzanne Bertish as Matron Brannan
- Wade Williams as Silas Bullen
- Cameron Monaghan as Tom Fairfax
- Emily Marie Palmer as Sister Isabella
Guest cast
- Chris Wood as Captain Lance Van Der Berg
- Hayes Mercure as Noah Heyward
- Owen Teague as Otis
- Steven Allen as Farmer
- Drew Starkey as Gambling Soldier
- Andrew Ballard as Wounded Soldier #2
- Gbenga Akinnagbe as Saga
- Priah Ferguson as Girl (Uncredited)
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 12 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | January 17, 2016 | February 21, 2016 |
| Season 2 | 6 | January 22, 2017 | March 5, 2017 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The New Nurse New England nurse Mary Phinney navigates her first day in Mansion House, a hotel turned Union hospital in an occupied Southern town. Mansion House owner James Sr. struggles to preserve the family fortune as daughter Emma secretly searches for her beau. |
January 17, 2016 |
| 2 |
The Haversack Confederate belle Emma nurses her wounded friend. Dr. Foster wrestles with his marriage and career as Mary tries to improve her patients’ lives with Samuel’s help. Aurelia submits to Silas’ advances in exchange for his help. |
January 24, 2016 |
| 3 |
The Uniform Dr. Foster confronts his family’s divided loyalties when his mother and wounded Confederate brother arrive. Alice is shocked to find her fiancé, Tom, deeply changed by war. Samuel and Aurelia try to persuade a slave boy to seize a chance at freedom. |
January 31, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Balm in Gilead The staff unites to save one of their own. A former slave turned activist arrives in town, causing a rift between Foster and Mary. The Greens are in disarray; Emma and Frank’s romance ignites and Samuel plans for a reunion with Aurelia. |
January 22, 2017 |
| 2 |
The House Guest A house guest becomes the focus of Alice’s schemes. When Mary falls ill, Foster’s attempts to care for her antagonize the new chief. Charlotte tries to contain the smallpox epidemic and Samuel has to make a difficult decision. |
January 29, 2017 |
| 3 |
One Equal Temper As Pinkerton looks at the Greens more closely, they join forces to hide an ugly secret. McBurney, hoping to distance Foster from Mary, sends him to a nearby army camp on a house call. Alice helps Frank escape and Samuel earns Charlotte’s respect. |
February 5, 2017 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 17, 2016 |
| Last aired | March 5, 2017 |
| Runtime | 54 minutes |
| Status | canceled |
| Schedule | Sunday at 20:00:00 |