Apple TV+’s Manhunt Shines a Light on the Conspiracy Surrounding Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination
Photo Courtesy of Apple TV+
Most school-age children can tell you that President Abraham Lincoln was shot by actor John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater. As adults, that’s about all most of us can remember. Of course, there’s much more to Lincoln’s assassination than that, which Apple TV+’s limited series, Manhunt, deftly demonstrates.
From Booth patiently hiding behind a curtain in Ford’s Theater to the trial of his conspirators, the series is a clever blend of the true crime and historical genres, with just the right dashes of a police/legal drama thrown in for good measure. The seven-episode thriller, based on the non-fiction book by James L. Swanson, is as riveting as it is jarring. The action starts with one of the most pivotal moments in American history.
Manhunt wastes no time, immediately following the dastardly deeds of John Wilkes Booth (Anthony Boyle) and his cronies on April 14th, 1865, as they plan a coordinated attack to not only kill Lincoln (Hamish Linklater), but also the Secretary of State and the Vice President. With the top three government officials out of the picture, Booth is hoping to throw the U.S. government into chaos, even though Confederate general Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union general Ulysses S. Grant five days before Lincoln’s assassination.
By the end of the first two episodes, Lincoln is shot, two other murder attempts have failed, and a nationwide manhunt has begun. Viewers also learn early that Lincoln was a fan of his assassin’s acting skills and that John Wilkes Booth even attended the president’s second inauguration. Loaded with facts and fast-paced, Manhunt hits the ground running.
After an action-packed introduction, the series turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse, with Lincoln’s friend and Secretary of War Edwin Stanton (Tobias Menzies) personally leading the investigation into the president’s assassination. It’s fascinating to watch someone in 1865 track down a murderer, decades before fingerprints, DNA, CCTV, or any of today’s most commonly used tools for gathering forensic evidence were invented. Stanton quickly learns Booth is his target, as he’s a well-known actor and was recognized by witnesses. However, finding a fugitive in a world where the most effective means of communication are telegraphs and newspapers had to be a bit like finding a needle in a haystack.
Stanton is relentless in his pursuit. His ability to focus on the mission for the greater good is demonstrated in flashbacks, as Stanton is shown investigating the Manhattan Fire Plot of 1864 and conversing multiple times with Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass (Elvis Nolasco). But it’s the capture of Booth and his conspirators that drives Stanton to the brink, impacting his health, marriage, and high-ranking position. Menzies is spectacular in the role and will keep you glued to your screen.
However, a hero is only as good as his villain, a point driven home by actor Anthony Boyle, who viewers will loathe as John Wilkes Booth. Arrogant and filled with delusions of grandeur, but surprisingly charismatic when he needs to be, Boyle’s portrayal of Booth is mesmerizing. Having recently starred in another Apple TV+ series (Masters of the Air) as a completely different type of character, Boyle proves he’s more than able to stand toe-to-toe with Menzies. The duo make for a serious one-two dramatic punch and give the limited series gravitas. Other strong performances are easy to find here as well.