The Civil War
Series Overview
A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
Broadcast Schedule & Network Information
Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.
1 Season • 9 Episodes
76 min per episode
1990 – 1990
Premiered: Sun, Sep 23, 1990
Creative Production Team
Latest Aired Episode
Season 1, Episode 9: “The Better Angels of Our Nature: 1865”
This extraordinary final episode of The Civil War begins in the bittersweet aftermath of Lee's surrender and then goes on to narrate the horrendous events of five days later when, on April 14, Lincoln is assassinated. After chronicling Lincoln's poignant funeral, the series recounts the final days of the war, the capture of John Wilkes Booth and the fates of the Civil War's major protagonists. The episode then considers the consequences and meaning of a war that transformed the country from a collection of states to the nation we are today.
Seasons & Episodes Breakdown
Cast & Creators
Explore Star Directory →
David McCullough
Narrator (voice)
Sam Waterston
Abraham Lincoln (voice)
Julie Harris
Mary Chestnut (voice)
Jason Robards
Ulysses S. Grant (voice)
Morgan Freeman
Frederick Douglass / John Boston (voice)
Paul Roebling
Joshua Chamberlain (voice)
Garrison Keillor
Walt Whitman (voice)
George Black
Robert E. Lee (voice)
Arthur Miller
William Tecumseh Sherman (voice)
Christopher Murney
Elisha Hunt Rhodes (voice)
Charles McDowell
Samuel R. Watkins (voice)
Horton Foote
Jefferson Davis (voice)
George Plimpton
George Templeton Strong (voice)
Philip Bosco
Horace Greeley (voice)
Terry Courier
George B. McClellan (voice)
Jody Powell
Stonewall Jackson / Various (voice)
Studs Terkel
Benjamin Butler / Various
Hoyt Axton
Various (voice)
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jay Ungar
Ken Burns
Paul Barnes
Stephen Ives, Catherine Yang Eisele, Mike Hill, Julie A. Dunfey, Ric Burns
Department Leadership Roster
Paul Barnes
Editor
Jay Ungar
Original Music Composer
Ken Burns
Director of Photography
Stephen Ives
Producer
Catherine Yang Eisele
Producer
Mike Hill
Producer
Julie A. Dunfey
Producer
Ric Burns
Producer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
TV-14: Parents Strongly Cautioned — Contains material unsuitable for children under 14.
International Certification Matrix
Parents Strongly Cautioned — Contains material unsuitable for children under 14.
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for The Civil War.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Civil War
Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.
What is The Civil War about?
A documentary on the American Civil War narrated by Ken Burns, covering the secession of the Confederacy to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
How many seasons does The Civil War have?
The Civil War comprises 1 season available to explore.
Who stars in The Civil War?
Key cast members in The Civil War include David McCullough, Sam Waterston, Julie Harris, Jason Robards, Morgan Freeman.
Who created or directed The Civil War?
The Civil War was developed and directed by Not specified.