Henry David Thoreau: Story, Cast and Series Facts

Story and premise

HENRY DAVID THOREAU examines the life and work of the 19th-century writer in the context of antebellum New England and the larger United States, as well as through the universal themes he focused on in his writings: an individual's relationship to the state, how to live an authentic life, our connection to nature, and the impact of race on American life. Set against the political and social tensions of the mid-19th century, the film traces Thoreau's journey from his early days in Concord, Massachusetts to his deep engagement with the moral crises of his time, including industrialization, slavery, war, and environmental degradation. Through his essays, journals, and landmark works such as Walden and Civil Disobedience, he became an inspiration for generations of writers, thinkers, and activists.

Series details

• Title: Henry David Thoreau
• Format: Documentary
• Language: English
• Genres: History
• Premiere date: 2026-03-30
• Status in TVmaze: Running
• Network listed by TVmaze: PBS
• Network country: United States
• Typical episode runtime: 60 minutes
• TVMaze ID: 90479
• IMDb ID: tt39088925
• TVDB ID: 474714

Seasons in the TVmaze catalogue

• Season 1: premiered 2026-03-30; final listed air date 2026-03-31; episode order: 3.

Source and licence

Adapted from Henry David Thoreau on TVmaze. The synopsis is reproduced as plain text; catalogue facts, cast and season records are selected and reformatted. This adapted text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, following the TVmaze API licence. Network and web-channel credits identify the service listed in this source; they do not establish current streaming availability.