Isabella Thornton
Discover everything you need to know about Ken Burns’ The American Revolution (2025)—from where it’s available to watch and how to stream it in the US, to a complete viewing guide that ensures you can enjoy this powerful documentary series without any limitations.
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Ken Burns’ The American Revolution (2025) Plot
The American Revolution traces how thirteen colonies rose together to challenge an empire and forge a nation grounded in bold new ideas. It follows the growing resistance that began with taxes and political disputes, steadily transforming into open rebellion. The story highlights the roles of soldiers, leaders, Loyalists, Native Americans, and African Americans, showing how their perspectives shaped the course of the revolution. The documentary brings attention to shifting loyalties, rising hope, and the sacrifices that fueled the fight for independence. As battles intensify and political ideals evolve, the narrative reveals how fragile the dream of liberty truly was. It also confronts the contradictions of a movement that called for freedom while excluding many. Ultimately, the series captures a nation coming into being through conflict, courage, and an unrelenting belief in a better future.
When does The American Revolution premiere?
The American Revolution premiered on November 16, 2025, exclusively on PBS in the US.
Cast:
- Peter Coyote – Narrator
- Adam Arkin – James Parker / Private Ashbel Green / Andrew Hunter / Enoch Anderson / Timothy Dwight / Robert Morris
- Kenneth Branagh – Voice roles
- Josh Brolin – George Washington
- Hugh Dancy – Hugh Percy / General John Burgoyne / Banastre Tarleton / Comte de Vergennes
- Claire Danes – Abigail Adams
- Tom Hanks – Voice roles
- Damian Lewis – King George III / Nicholas Cresswell / Major John Andre / Bartholomew James
- Tobias Menzies – Edmund Burke / Ambrose Serle / General Lord Cornwallis / William Pitt
- Liev Schreiber – Samuel Adams / Nathaniel Greene / Lewis Beebe
- Alden Ehrenreich – Joseph Plumb Martin
- Craig Ferguson – John Murray / John Paul Jones / John Purrier / Martin Hunter / William Harcourt
- Paul Giamatti – John Adams
- Maya Hawke – Betsy Ambler
- Josh Charles – Joseph Warren / John Peters / David Ramsey
- Laura Linney – Sarah Logan Fisher / Sarah Morris Mifflin / Eliza Wilkinson / Eliza Lucas Pickney
- Edward Norton – Benjamin Rush / Philip Vickers Fithian / Philip Schuyler
- Matthew Rhys – Thomas Paine
- Charlotte Hacke – Friederike Riedesel / Hannah Davis / Lucy Knox / Martha Reeves
- Ethan Hawke – General Anthony Wayne / John Andrews
- Corbin Bleu – John Joseph Henry / Daniel McCurtin / Nathaniel Bacheller / Isaac Jefferson
- Joe Keery – John Greenwood
- Jeff Daniels – Thomas Jefferson
- Carolyn McCormick – Hannah Griffiths / Hannah Winthrop / Esther Reed
- Domhnall Gleeson – Loftus Cliffe / Roger Lamb / John MacPherson / John Bowater / William Barton
- Samuel L. Jackson – Caesar Sarter / Lemuel Haynes / Boston King
Supporting Cast:
Jon Proudstar, Christian Friedel, Josh Lucas, Lindsay Mendez, Chaske Spencer, Mandy Patinkin, Joe Morton, Meryl Streep, Michael Greyeyes, Yul Vazquez, Josh Hutcherson, Gene Jones, Dan Stevens, Lucas Hedges, Michael Mando, Amanda Gorman, Marcus Davis-Orrom, Bruce Davison, Leon Dische Becker, Michael Keaton, Joel Kinnaman, David Oyelowo, Jeremiah Bitsui, Tantoo Cardinal, Bill Camp, Keith David, Jonathan Groff, Tracy Letts, Wendell Pierce, Tony Beck, Martin Czembor, Morgan Freeman, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Reece Mccullagh, and Olivier Mercier.
How many episodes does The American Revolution have?
The series includes six episodes.
Ken Burns’ The American Revolution Episode Guide:
- In Order to Be Free
This episode shows how rising anger toward British rule turned local frustrations into a unified call for action, sparking the earliest flames of rebellion. - An Asylum for Mankind
Focuses on the growing revolutionary vision, revealing how the idea of liberty began to reshape political thought across the colonies. - The Times That Try Mens Souls
A powerful look at the darkest moments of the war, where perseverance became the revolution’s greatest weapon. - Conquer by a Drawn Game
Highlights hard-fought battles and shifting strategies that kept the revolutionary cause alive against overwhelming odds. - The Soul of All America
Explores how the meaning of freedom expanded—and was challenged—as different groups sought their place in the emerging nation. - The Most Sacred Thing
Concludes with the victory at Yorktown and the early steps toward building a government grounded in newly defined ideals.
Where to watch Ken Burns’ The American Revolution in the US
You can watch The American Revolution streaming on PBS, the PBS Amazon Channel, or for free with ads on KQED in the United States. The documentary is also available to purchase as a digital download on Amazon Video, Apple TV, and Fandango At Home, giving viewers multiple ways to enjoy the full series. Whether you prefer free ad-supported streaming or owning the episodes outright, several platforms offer convenient access to this acclaimed historical documentary.
Is there a way to watch The American Revolution online for free?
Yes, you can watch The American Revolution for free on PBS with ads through KQED in the United States. This makes it easy for viewers to stream the full documentary series without needing a paid subscription
On What Devices Can I Watch PBS?
| Device Type | Supported Models / Platforms |
|---|---|
| Streaming Devices | Roku players and Roku TVs, Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick, Google Chromecast |
| Smart TVs | Samsung Smart TVs (2017 and newer), VIZIO SmartCast TVs |
| Mobile Devices | iPhone, iPad (iOS), Android phones and tablets |
| Streaming OS TVs | Android TV, Google TV |
| Apple Devices | Apple TV HD, Apple TV 4K |
| Computers | Desktop and laptop browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge |
| Tablets | iPadOS tablets, Android tablets |
The American Revolution (2025) Trailer
FAQs
- Who narrates The American Revolution?
The series is narrated by Peter Coyote. - Who were the main creators behind The American Revolution?
The series is created by Ken Burns along with Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, and written by Geoffrey C. Ward. - How long did it take to make The American Revolution?
The project spanned a decade or more from conception to release, reflecting long production time and complex research. - Why is The American Revolution described as a civil war as well as a war of independence?
According to Ken Burns, the Revolution involved intense internal conflict — neighbor versus neighbor, Loyalist versus Patriot — making it resemble a civil war within the broader independence struggle.
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