Series synopsis
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History is an American documentary history war & politics television series that premiered on PBS on September 14, 2014. It ended on September 20, 2014. It was created by Ken Burns. It stars Peter Coyote, David McCullough, Meryl Streep and Edward Herrmann.
Chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. It is the first time in a major documentary television series that their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative. This seven-part, fourteen hour film follows the Roosevelts for more than a century, from Theodore’s birth in 1858 to Eleanor’s death in 1962.
Premise
Chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics. It is the first time in a major documentary television series that their individual stories have been interwoven into a single narrative. This seven-part, fourteen hour film follows the Roosevelts for more than a century, from Theodore’s birth in 1858 to Eleanor’s death in 1962.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Peter Coyote as Narrator (voice)
- David McCullough as Self - Historian
- Meryl Streep as Eleanor Roosevelt (voice)
- Edward Herrmann as Franklin Roosevelt (voice)
- Paul Giamatti as Theodore Roosevelt (voice)
- Theodore Roosevelt as Self (archive footage)
- Doris Kearns Goodwin as Self - Historian
- Franklin D. Roosevelt as Self (archive footage)
Supporting cast
- John Lithgow as James Roosevelt (voice)
- Eleanor Roosevelt as Self (archive footage)
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 7 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 7 | September 13, 2014 | September 20, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Get Action (1858-1901) A frail, asthmatic young Theodore Roosevelt transforms himself into a champion of the strenuous life, loses one great love and finds another, leads men into battle and then rises like a rocket to become the youngest president in American history at 42. Meanwhile, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, brought up as the pampered only child of adoring parents, follows his older cousin’s career with fascination. |
September 14, 2014 |
| 2 |
In the Arena (1901-1910) Murder brings Theodore Roosevelt to the presidency, but in the seven years that follow, he transforms the office and makes himself perhaps the best-loved of all presidents, battling corporate greed, preserving American wilderness, carrying the message of American might around the world. FDR weds Eleanor Roosevelt, and jumps at the chance to run for the New York state senate. |
September 15, 2014 |
| 3 |
The Fire of Life (1910-1919) Theodore Roosevelt leads a Progressive crusade that splits his own party, campaigns for American entry into World War I — and pays a terrible personal price. Franklin masters wartime Washington as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, while Eleanor finds personal salvation in war work. Her discovery of Franklin’s romance with another woman transforms their marriage into a largely political partnership. |
September 16, 2014 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | PBS |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 14, 2014 |
| Last aired | September 20, 2014 |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday |