Told in just seven hour-long episodes, the series mainly focuses on the days following President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the eventual finding of his killer, John Wilkes Booth. “Manhunt” It effectively depicts a broader picture of a significant time in the history of the United States.
Based on the 2006 bestseller and Edgar Award-winning nonfiction book 'Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer' by historian James L. Swanson, the limited series is compelling and debuts this week on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes. It uses flashbacks and creative storytelling to give insight into the events leading up to Lincoln's murder and the ensuing trial that aimed to prove a wider conspiracy.
Created by showrunner Monica Beletsky, who also co-wrote each episode, the series maintains consistency despite being directed by Carl Franklin, John Dahl, and Eva Sorhaug.
“Manhunt” focuses on two main characters: Booth, an aspiring actor seeking greatness beyond the stage, and Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War and a close confidant of Lincoln's, who is determined to hunt down Booth.
The story begins on April 15, 1865, just hours before Booth assassinates the president at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., while Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, are watching a play.
On the same day, there is an attack on Secretary of State William H. Seward's life in a related incident.
The series then takes us back a few days to Lincoln and Stanton receiving the news of the end of the Civil War with the surrender of the Confederate forces to the Union.
“The Confederacy is dead,” Stanton announces while dictating a message to the press. “The Union is saved.”
During this time, Booth has a conversation in a bar with a man who has difficulty hearing him due to the noise around them.
“Let them celebrate,” Booth remarks. “They’ll regret it when they realize they've given away their whole country to (racial slur) thanks to Lincoln.”
As the viewer learns, Booth anticipates becoming more famous than his family members who are actors, including his father, whom he could never impress.
After the theater incident, where he completes the heinous act and declares “Freedom for the South!,” he injures his leg while jumping down to the stage but still manages to escape, becoming a well-known figure.
Stanton, who leads the search for Booth, is constantly focused on capturing him, which concerns his wife Ellen due to his inability to delegate and his worsening asthma caused by stress. However, his son Eddie Stanton Jr. assists him in finding and bringing Booth to justice.
The path quickly leads to a doctor, Samuel Mudd (Matt Walsh), who has similar beliefs to Booth and the Confederates and who treated Booth’s leg before sending him to Virginia with his friend — and later will be called his 'lackey' — David Herold (Will Harrison).
The captivating performances of Boyle, recently seen in another strong Apple TV+ limited series, “Masters of the Air,” and, especially, Menzies (“Game of Thrones,” “The Crown”) are the foundation of “Manhunt.” Each actor captures your attention every moment they are on screen. As a significant supporting actor, Linklater (“Gaslit”) impresses in scenes where he deals with the urgent issues of his nation alongside Stanton as well as those of his family with his wife. He may not be Daniel Day-Lewis, but his work contributes significantly to the progress of “Manhunt.”
Hamish Linklater plays President Abraham Lincoln in the new Apple TV+ limited series “Manhunt.” (Courtesy of Apple TV+)
Even though Simone is the third lead in the series, “Manhunt” could have benefited from focusing more on her character. It is understandable that we witness numerous interactions of white men on both sides of the ideological divide, but the series can at times become a little confusing as it jumps back and forth in time and introduces many characters. To her credit, Beletsky ensures that we always know when and where we are through on-screen text.
Lovie Simone and Antonio Bell appear in an episode of “Manhunt.” (Courtesy of Apple TV+)
On more than one occasion, Beletsky and her co-writers appear to draw parallels between the events in the country and today’s political climate, which is impactful. However, the series primarily succeeds as a potent reminder of just how fragile the war-torn nation was at that time.
Consider when Stanton is asked, before the credits roll at the end of the first episode, what it means if a conspiracy is found to be behind the assassination.
“Might have to start another war,” he says.
Seven episodes make up this hour-long drama limited series.
‘Manhunt’
What: The first two episodes will premiere on March 15 with subsequent episodes airing on Fridays.
When: This series is rated TV-MA (for mature audiences).
Rated: It earns a solid four stars.
The adaptation provides insight into the days and years leading up to the murder of President Abraham Lincoln and continues through to the trial. 3.
