Series synopsis
Henry David Thoreau is an American documentary television series that premiered on PBS on March 30, 2026. It ended on March 30, 2026. It was created by Ken Burns. It stars George Clooney, Jeff Goldblum, Ted Danson and Meryl Streep.
Henry David Thoreau helped define modern environmentalism and nonviolent resistance, yet his life has been obscured by myth. The author of Walden and Civil Disobedience, he was brilliant but flawed, idealistic but opinionated. A writer, scientist and activist, his words resonate urgently with today’s challenges as humanity looks for ways to live in harmony with nature—and each other.
Premise
Henry David Thoreau helped define modern environmentalism and nonviolent resistance, yet his life has been obscured by myth. The author of Walden and Civil Disobedience, he was brilliant but flawed, idealistic but opinionated. A writer, scientist and activist, his words resonate urgently with today’s challenges as humanity looks for ways to live in harmony with nature—and each other.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- George Clooney as Self – Narrator (voice)
- Jeff Goldblum as Henry David Thoreau (voice)
- Ted Danson as Ralph Waldo Emerson (voice)
- Meryl Streep as Various Characters (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 3 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 3 | March 30, 2026 | March 30, 2026 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Who Are We? Henry David Thoreau’s early life unfolds as a changing nation struggles to live up to its ideals, while industry threatens the landscape. After attending Harvard College, he was inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson to become a writer. Then, a family tragedy deepens his bond with nature, and, disillusioned with society, he builds a cabin in the woods to live simply, deliberately, quietly — and write. |
March 30, 2026 |
| 2 |
Being Alive Living at his cabin at Walden Pond, Thoreau finds solace in "wild" nature and pours himself into his journal, laying the groundwork for one of two books he writes there. His two-year stay includes regular trips to town, a transformative journey to Maine, and a night in jail in protest of a government that permits slavery — experiences that redefine his understanding of freedom. |
March 30, 2026 |
| 3 |
Several More Lives to Live After completing his two-year experiment at Walden Pond, Thoreau returns to society to test what he has learned about living responsibly. He undertakes new “experiments” as a surveyor, scientist, and abolitionist, and takes two more trips to Maine — uncovering even deeper truths about life and the world. He writes with a new urgency as a lifelong illness begins to catch up with him. |
March 30, 2026 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | March 30, 2026 |
| Last aired | March 30, 2026 |
| Runtime | 55 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Tuesday |