Apple TV+’s Manhunt Shines a Light on the Conspiracy Surrounding Abraham Lincoln’s Assassination

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. 

Lily Taylor shines as Mary Todd Lincoln, who can be thoughtful but also stubborn and outspoken. Lovie Simone is fantastic as former slave Mary Simms, who crosses paths with Booth. But perhaps my favorite supporting character is Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson, played by “that guy” actor Glenn Morshower. President Johnson, considered by many historians to be one of the worst presidents in U.S. history, is played with relish by the veteran character actor. 

Manhunt tells a gripping story through its stellar cast but isn’t without a few flaws. While mostly used skillfully, its time jumps can occasionally be a distraction due to their inconsistency. For example, in one episode, viewers are bounced between scenes that happen three years before the assassination, then to the first day of the conspirators trial, to the day before Lincoln was killed, and eventually four years after the assassination. This kind of abrupt time-skipping happens throughout the series.

Several characters enter and exit the story with little initial explanation. Mary Todd Lincoln’s friend and dress designer, Elizabeth Keckley (Betty Gabriel), pops in and out but it’s not clear why. And the first time Patton Oswalt’s Lafayette Baker character shows up, you won’t be sure if he’s comic relief, a villain, or a protagonist. There are multiple other minor roles who seem important to the plot then quickly disappear.

Manhunt creator and showrunner Monica Beletsky (Fargo, The Leftovers, Friday Night Lights) does a brilliant job overall, but at times tries to jam as much history as possible into a limited amount of episodes. Although admirable, this can lead to the series doing a disservice to some of its characters. Thankfully, Episode 7 manages to eventually tie most loose strings together and all the important plotlines fall into place. 

Even though it has some issues, I quickly became obsessed with this limited series’ compelling story. Historical nuggets, powerful performances, and an engrossing investigation that had a lasting impact on American history lead to Manhunt being an addictive true crime thriller.

Manhunt premieres Friday, March 15th on Apple TV+. 

Terry Terrones is a Television Critics Association and Critics Choice Association member, licensed drone pilot, and aspiring hand model. When he’s not telling anyone who’ll listen how lame things were 4 score and 7 years ago, you can find him hiking in the mountains of Colorado. You can follow him on Twitter @terryterrones.

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