Series synopsis
The American Revolution is an American documentary war & politics television series that premiered on PBS on November 16, 2025. It ended on November 21, 2025. It was created by Ken Burns. It stars Peter Coyote.
The American Revolution was at once a war for independence, a war of conquest, a civil war, and a world war, fought by neighbors on American farms and between global powers an ocean or more away. It impacted millions from Vermont’s Green Mountains to the swamps of South Carolina, from Indian Country to the Iberian Peninsula. In defeating the British Empire and giving birth to a new nation, the American Revolution turned the world upside-down. Thirteen colonies on the Atlantic Coast united in reb ...
Premise
The American Revolution was at once a war for independence, a war of conquest, a civil war, and a world war, fought by neighbors on American farms and between global powers an ocean or more away. It impacted millions from Vermont’s Green Mountains to the swamps of South Carolina, from Indian Country to the Iberian Peninsula. In defeating the British Empire and giving birth to a new nation, the American Revolution turned the world upside-down. Thirteen colonies on the Atlantic Coast united in rebellion, won their independence, and established a republic that still endures. The American Revolution will present the story of the men and women of the Revolutionary generation, their humanity in victory and defeat, and the crisis that they lived through.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Peter Coyote as Narrator (voice)
Guest cast
- Adam Arkin as James Parker / Ashbel Green / Andrew Hunter / Enoch Anderson / Timothy Dwight / Robert Morris (voice)
- Josh Brolin as George Washington (voice)
- Josh Charles as Joseph Warren / John Peters / David Ramsey (voice)
- Hugh Dancy as Hugh Percy / John Burgoyne / Banastre Tarleton / Comte de Vergennes (voice)
- Claire Danes as Abigail Adams (voice)
- Marcus Davis-Orrom as John Barker / William Bamford (voice)
- Alden Ehrenreich as Joseph Plumb Martin (voice)
- Craig Ferguson as John Murray / John Jones / John Purrier / Martin Hunter / William Harcourt (voice)
- Paul Giamatti as John Adams (voice)
- Amanda Gorman as Phillis Wheatley (voice)
- Charlotte Hacke as Friederike Riedesel / Hannah Davis / Lucy Knox / Martha Reeves (voice)
- Tom Hanks as (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 7 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 1 | August 8, 2025 | August 8, 2025 |
| Season 1 | 6 | November 16, 2025 | November 21, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
An Inside Look Step behind the scenes of Ken Burns’s new film to see how The American Revolution came to life. Through shooting locations, historical re-enactments, and exclusive video clips, meet the master storytellers who brought the story of the Revolution to life in a compelling visual story. |
August 8, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
In Order to Be Free (May 1754 – May 1775) Opposition in colonial North America to British policies over taxes, land and sovereignty escalates into violent confrontation; war gives 13 colonies a common cause. |
November 16, 2025 |
| 2 |
An Asylum for Mankind (May 1775 – July 1776) Congress puts George Washington in command of a new Continental Army; Congress declares American independence in July 1776. |
November 17, 2025 |
| 3 |
The Times That Try Men's Souls (July 1776 – January 1777) British General Howe defeats General Washington, forcing the Americans to abandon New York; Washington's army regroups in New Jersey before attacking an outpost at Trenton. |
November 18, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 16, 2025 |
| Last aired | November 21, 2025 |
| Runtime | 713 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | at 20:00:00 |