contemplative
The series chronicled Adams' political life from his days as a young lawyer in Boston until his death. Paul Giamatti played the part of John Adams and Laura Linney played the part of his wife Abigail. Other notable cast members included David Morse as George Washington, Stephen Dillane as Thomas Jefferson, Tom Wilkinson as Benjamin Franklin, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as John Quincy Adams, and Rufus Sewell as Alexander Hamilton.
Kirk Ellis wrote the screenplay based on McCullough's book. The story was broadcast in seven parts by HBO between March 16 and April 20, 2008. It received widespread critical acclaim, and won four Golden Globe awards and thirteen Emmy awards, more than any other miniseries to date.
Critical reception for the series was predominantly positive. For example, David Hinckley of the New York Daily News wrote that John Adams "is, quite simply, as good as TV gets. Best of all are two extraordinary performances at the center: Paul Giamatti as Adams and Laura Linney as his wife, Abigail." Alessandra Stanley of the New York Times said the miniseries has "a Masterpiece Theater gravity and takes a more somber, detailed and sepia-tinted look at the dawn of American democracy. It gives viewers a vivid sense of the isolation and physical hardships of the period, as well as the mores... It is certainly worthy and beautifully made, and it has many masterly touches at the edges, especially Laura Linney as Abigail."
The seven episodes were as follows (with a TV guide style description of each):
1. Join or Die: Sam Adams tries to dissuade cousin John from defending redcoats in the Boston Massacre, but later John changes his mind and joins the revolutionary cause.
2. Independence: After the Battles of Lexington and Concord Adams becomes the voice for independence at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
3. Don't Tread on Me: John and John Quincy sail to France to join Benjamin Franklin as part of the American mission but Adams' blunt style is ill-suited to diplomacy.
4. Reunion: Adams is able to secure a loan from the Dutch for his fledgling country as Abigail joins him in France has he helps negotiate the peace treaty.
5. Unite or Die: Frustrated in his undefined role as Vice-President, Adams is at odds with Jefferson over his support of a strong central government.
6. Unnecessary War: After Adams becomes President continues Washington's policy of neutrality between England and France despite opposition inside his own cabinet.
7. Peacefield: While in retirement in Peacefield, Adams looks back at his public life with some regrets and has to deal with tragedy in his personal life.
Following is a YouTube video of the trailer for the series: