Skip to content
Streambay
The Adams Chronicles Season 1 poster

The Adams Chronicles Season 1 Episode release dates & where to watch

Premiered

Tuesday, January 20, 1976

Ended: Tuesday, April 13, 1976

When does The Adams Chronicles Season 1 come out?

The Adams Chronicles Season 1 premiered Tuesday, January 20, 1976 on PBS and ended Tuesday, April 13, 1976. The season has 13 episodes.

Chronicles the story of the Adams political family over a 150-year span, including John Adams (drafter and signer of the Declaration, accomplished diplomat, and the 2nd President of the U.S.), his wife Abigail Adams, his son John Quincy Adams (acclaimed Secretary of State, the 6th President, and prominent abolitionist Congressman), grandson Charles Francis Adams, Congressman and Ambassador to Great Britain during the Civil War, and much-heralded members of the fourth generation Henry Brooks Adams, the historian and author of the novel Democracy, and Charles Francis Adams II, the industrialist.

Last updated

The Adams Chronicles Season 1 release schedule

The Adams Chronicles Season 1 episode release dates
Episode Release date

1. Chapter 1: John Adams, Lawyer

John Adams centers his ambitions on becoming a lawyer of repute and marrying parson's daughter Abigail Smith.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

2. Chapter 2: John Adams, Revolutionary

Adams returns to Braintree after successfully defending the Redcoats, but Hancock soon lures him back into politics.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

3. Chapter 3: John Adams, Diplomat

Serving as a diplomat in France with Benjamin Franklin, Adams earns a reputation for rudeness.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

4. Chapter 4: John Adams, Minister to Great Britain

After nearly five years of separation, Adams' family joins him in Great Britian, where he has been appointed America's first ambassador.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

5. Chapter 5: John Adams, Vice President

With General George Washington as President, Adams becomes Vice-President and head of the Senate. When Jefferson's Republicans and Hamilton's Federalists have strongly conflicting views over the French Revolutionary war, Adams finds himself in the middle.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

6. Chapter 6: John Adams, President

Increasingly exasperating relations with France lead to the XYZ Affair, then the Quasi-War.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

7. Chapter 7: John Quincy Adams, Diplomat

In Ghent, Adams and his delegation struggle to negotiate an end to the War of 1812.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

8. Chapter 8: John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State

During the Seminole War, the executions of Arbuthnot and Ambrister in Spanish Florida create a diplomatic incident. The US and Britain consider making a joint statement on the wars in South America, but this evolves into the Monroe Doctrine. In the presidential election, Henry Clay is the kingmaker. Adams becomes sixth President.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

9. Chapter 9: John Quincy Adams, President

Hampered by negative press from Jackson's camp, Adams' single term is marked by frustrated efforts to institute national improvements.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

10. Chapter 10: John Quincy Adams, Congressman

Adams wins a seat in the House, where he serves with more success than he had as President.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

11. Chapter 11: Charles Francis Adams, Minister to Great Britain

On the eve of the Civil War, Charles Francis Adams becomes the third generation in the Adams family to be appointed minister to Great Britain.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

12. Chapter 12: Henry Adams, Historian

The sons of Charles Francis Adams endeavor to make their own marks on the world.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

13. Chapter 13: Charles Francis Adams II, Industrialist Finale

While his brother Henry travels the world, Charles Francis II takes charge of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Tuesday · 50 years ago

The Adams Chronicles Season 1 guest stars

  • George Grizzard

    George Grizzard

    John Adams

  • William Daniels

    William Daniels

    John Quincy Adams

  • Nicholas Pryor

    Nicholas Pryor

    John Quincy Adams II

  • Allan Carlsen

    John Adams II

  • George Hearn

    George Hearn

    Henry Clay

  • George Clooney

    George Clooney

    Henry Clay

  • Pamela Payton-Wright

    Pamela Payton-Wright

    Louisa Catherine Adams

  • Wesley Addy

    Wesley Addy

    Andrew Jackson

  • W.B. Brydon

    Samuel Adams

  • Nancy Marchand

    Nancy Marchand

    Mrs. Smith

  • Jean-Pierre Stewart

    Alexis de Toqueville

  • Tim Wilson

    Tim Wilson

    Young John II

  • Michael O'Hare

    Michael O'Hare

    Richard Cranch

  • John Tillinger

    John Tillinger

    King George III

  • Kathryn Walker

    Kathryn Walker

    Abigail Smith Adams

  • Lisa Lucas

    Lisa Lucas

    Young Abigail II

The Adams Chronicles Season 1 FAQ

When does The Adams Chronicles Season 1 come out?

The Adams Chronicles Season 1 premiered Tuesday, January 20, 1976 on PBS.

How many episodes are in The Adams Chronicles Season 1?

The Adams Chronicles Season 1 has 13 episodes.

Are new episodes of The Adams Chronicles Season 1 released weekly?

New episodes are released weekly.

When is the The Adams Chronicles Season 1 finale?

The The Adams Chronicles Season 1 finale (Episode 13) aired Tuesday, April 13, 1976.

How do I get notified when new The Adams Chronicles Season 1 episodes are released?

Download the Streambay app and follow The Adams Chronicles. You'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is out.

Never miss The Adams Chronicles Season 1.

Download Streambay and follow The Adams Chronicles. We’ll notify you the moment Season 1 is released, and as each new episode comes out. It’s free, with no sign-up and no personal information required.

Coming soon to App Store Get it on Google Play