The Heartland Series is a documentary TV series that premiered on January 1, 1984. It has 32 seasons and 772 episodes so far. The latest episode, Season 1 Episode 1 "Prologue", aired on January 1, 1984.
The Heartland Series is a series of television programs about the culture of Appalachia, produced by WBIR-TV of Knoxville, Tennessee, over the 25-year period 1984 through 2009. The series has been produced on a limited basis since 2010.
The Heartland Series is your personal journey through all the wonder that makes the Smoky Mountains unique. Featuring spectacular videography from all seasons, The Heartland Series also captures the human spirit that resides here. You will meet the descendants of the earliest pioneers; the people who lived secluded for years and developed an originality apparent today. It’s a journey you will want to take again and again.
S01E25 — “Heartland Christmas Special”
Runtime: 26:56
Summary: In this extended Heartland Christmas special, Bill Landry celebrates the people, places, and traditions of the Southern Appalachians through stories of mountain life. Traveling through rural communities and historic homesteads, the program features longtime residents sharing memories, traditional skills and ways of living, and reflections on the region’s past. The special combines these personal stories with the landscapes of the mountains to offer a nostalgic Christmas tribute to Appalachian heritage.
S1 E24
E24
24.
A.D.'s Bear Stories
Air date TBA
S01E24 — “A.D.’s Bear Stories”
Runtime: 3:22
Summary: Bill Landry visits with A.D., an elderly mountain storyteller who recalls memorable encounters with black bears in the Smokies. Through A.D.’s colorful firsthand stories, old photographs, and Landry’s narration, the segment captures the humor, danger, and larger than life quality of traditional Appalachian bear tales.
S1 E23
E23
23.
Walk in the Woods
Air date TBA
S01E23 — “Walk in the Woods”
Runtime: 3:19
Summary: Bill Landry takes a walk through the Southern Appalachian forest with a knowledgeable naturalist, examining the remarkable variety of plants growing in the mountains. Along the way, they identify wildflowers and other native vegetation and discuss how the Smokies’ landscape and climate create one of the richest botanical environments in the region.
S1 E22
E22
22.
First Park Botanist
Air date TBA
S01E22 — “First Park Botanist”
Runtime: 3:24
Summary: Bill Landry tells the story of the first botanist of Great Smoky Mountains National Park and his work documenting the remarkable plant life of the Smokies. Through interviews, historic photographs, and walks through the forest, the segment recalls the early effort to identify and preserve the park’s extraordinary botanical diversity.
S1 E21
E21
21.
Peace of Work
Air date TBA
S01E21 — “Peace of Work”
Runtime: 3:18
Summary: Bill Landry explores the Appalachian tradition of weaving and the satisfaction found in creating something by hand. The segment visits women working with looms, yarn, and textiles, showing the skill and patience involved in the craft while reflecting on the sense of purpose and peacefulness that comes from traditional handwork.
S1 E20
E20
20.
Black Bears
Air date TBA
S01E20 — “Black Bears”
Runtime: 3:18
Summary: Bill Landry explores the black bears of the Great Smoky Mountains and the work being done to understand and protect them. The segment follows wildlife researchers into the forest as they locate, capture, examine, and tag bears, while also showing the increasing encounters between bears and the many visitors traveling through the Smokies.
S1 E19
E19
19.
Pi Beta Phi School
Air date TBA
S01E19 — “Pi Beta Phi School”
Runtime: 3:23
Summary: Bill Landry looks back at the history of Pi Beta Phi Elementary School in Gatlinburg, founded in 1912 to bring formal education to children of the Smoky Mountains. Through historic photographs and recollections from former students, the segment traces the school’s early years and captures memories of childhood, teachers, and school life in the mountain community.
S1 E18
E18
18.
Homecoming
Air date TBA
S01E18 — “Homecoming”
Runtime: 3:23
Summary: Bill Landry explores the powerful connection Appalachian people maintain with the mountains and places of their ancestors. Visiting an old homesite with a man who remembers the area, the segment reflects on returning to familiar streams, forests, and family ground, and the sense of belonging that draws people back to their mountain home.
S1 E17
E17
17.
Prophet of the Long Road
Air date TBA
S01E17 — “Prophet of the Long Road”
Runtime: 3:24
Summary: Bill Landry tells the story of Bishop Francis Asbury, the pioneering Methodist circuit rider who carried his ministry into the remote settlements of the Appalachian frontier. Traveling enormous distances on horseback, Asbury preached in small churches and isolated communities, helping establish Methodism throughout the mountains and earning a reputation as a tireless “prophet of the long road.”
S1 E16
E16
16.
Fishin'
Air date TBA
S01E16 — “Fishin’”
Runtime: 3:24
Summary: Bill Landry visits with an elderly Appalachian fisherman who recalls the old days of fishing in the mountain streams. Through his stories and humor, the segment captures the simple pleasure of fishing and the colorful personalities and traditions that made it an enduring part of mountain life.
S1 E15
E15
15.
Alien
Air date TBA
S01E15 — “Alien”
Runtime: 3:30
Summary: Bill Landry explores the mystery of an unusual grave found deep in the Tennessee mountains. Working with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, the segment investigates the isolated burial site and examines remains and other clues in an effort to determine who or what was buried there, giving the story an appropriately eerie “alien” mystery.
S1 E14
E14
14.
School Days
Air date TBA
S01E14 — “School Days”
Runtime: 3:23
Summary: Bill Landry looks back at education in the one room schoolhouses of the Southern Appalachians. Visiting a preserved log schoolhouse with former students and interpreters, the segment recalls the simple classrooms, wooden desks, lessons, and teaching methods that shaped the school days of mountain children.
S1 E13
E13
13.
Comeback
Air date TBA
S01E13 — “Comeback”
Runtime: 3:22
Summary: Bill Landry examines the recovery of the Southern Appalachian wilderness after generations of heavy logging and environmental damage. Featuring National Park Service ranger Mark Alston, the segment visits mountain streams and forests to show how protected lands are regenerating and how wildlife and natural ecosystems are making a comeback.
S1 E12
E12
12.
Lucinda
Air date TBA
S01E12 — “Lucinda”
Runtime: 3:31
Summary: Bill Landry tells the story of Lucinda, a mountain woman whose life reflects the hardships and self reliance of earlier Appalachian families. Through historic photographs, an interview with a woman recalling her story, and visits to old homesteads and community sites, the segment preserves the memory of Lucinda and the rural mountain world in which she lived.
S1 E11
E11
11.
Crown Jewels
Air date TBA
S01E11 — “Crown Jewels”
Runtime: 3:25
Summary: Bill Landry explores the magnificent old growth forests of the Southern Appalachians, highlighting ancient trees as the region’s natural “crown jewels.” The segment examines their great age and size, using tree rings to reveal their history, while emphasizing the rare surviving stands of original forest and the importance of preserving them.
S1 E10
E10
10.
An American Genius
Air date TBA
S01E10 — “An American Genius”
Runtime: 3:18
Summary: Bill Landry tells the story of Sequoyah, the Cherokee scholar who created a written system for the Cherokee language. Through reenactments, the segment shows Sequoyah developing his syllabary despite skepticism from others and demonstrates how his invention allowed the Cherokee to rapidly become literate, preserving and communicating their language in written form.
S1 E9
E9
9.
The Flower Hunter
Air date TBA
S01E09 — “The Flower Hunter”
Runtime: 3:21
Summary: Bill Landry tells the story of an early botanist and “flower hunter” who explored the Southern Appalachian wilderness in search of its remarkable plant life. Following mountain streams and forest trails, the segment describes the difficult journeys made into the region to collect and document its plants, helping introduce the extraordinary botanical diversity of the Appalachians to the wider world.
S1 E8
E8
8.
Cherokee Zenith
Air date TBA
S01E08 — “Cherokee Zenith”
Runtime: 3:19
Summary: Bill Landry examines the Cherokee civilization at its height in the Southern Appalachians. The segment describes the development of established Cherokee communities, agriculture, trade, and a sophisticated social and political culture, showing how the Cherokee prospered in the region before increasing European influence dramatically altered their way of life.
S1 E7
E7
7.
Cherokee Dawn
Air date TBA
S01E07 — “Cherokee Dawn”
Runtime: 2:40
Summary: Bill Landry turns to the Cherokee people and their deep connection to the Southern Appalachian mountains. Through forest and mountain imagery, traditional objects, and reenactment, the segment introduces Cherokee life and culture before European settlement, portraying a people whose identity, traditions, and survival were closely tied to the Appalachian landscape.
S1 E6
E6
6.
Early Man
Air date TBA
S01E06 — “Early Man”
Runtime: 4:20
Summary: Bill Landry explores the earliest human inhabitants of the Southern Appalachians and how they adapted to life in the region. Archaeologist Dr. Jefferson Chapman discusses evidence left by these early people, while the segment depicts their hunting methods, tools, and growing use of native plants and crops. Archaeological sites and artifacts reveal how human life in the mountains developed long before European settlement.
S1 E5
E5
5.
Megafauna
Air date TBA
S01E05 — “Megafauna”
Runtime: 3:12
Summary: Bill Landry explores the enormous animals that once inhabited the Southern Appalachians. Using illustrations and fossil remains, the segment discusses prehistoric megafauna such as mammoths, large cats, and giant ground sloths, examining evidence of their presence in the region and the dramatic changes that eventually led to their disappearance.
S1 E4
E4
4.
Refuge
Air date TBA
S01E04 — “Refuge”
Runtime: 3:36
Summary: Bill Landry examines the Southern Appalachian mountains as a natural refuge, where the varied elevations and sheltered forests support an unusually rich diversity of plant and animal life. The segment explores how changing climate and ancient environmental conditions helped species survive in these mountains, creating the remarkable biological diversity found there today.
S1 E3
E3
3.
The Coves
Air date TBA
S01E03 — “The Coves”
Runtime: 3:47
Summary: Bill Landry explores the sheltered mountain coves of the Southern Appalachians and how they were formed by the region’s ancient geology. Examining exposed rock with a geologist and traveling into a wooded stream valley, the segment explains how erosion and the underlying rock helped shape these fertile, protected pockets within the mountains.
S1 E2
E2
2.
Ancestral Mountains
Air date TBA
S01E02 — “Ancestral Mountains”
Runtime: 3:47
Summary: Bill Landry explores the ancient geological origins of the Appalachian Mountains. With the help of a geologist, the segment examines exposed rock formations and fossils, explaining how immense geological forces, erosion, and hundreds of millions of years shaped the mountains into the landscape seen today.
S1 E1
E1
1.
Prologue
S01E01 — “Prologue”
Runtime: 4:04
Summary: Bill Landry introduces The Heartland Series and its mission of exploring the people, traditions, history, and natural beauty of the Southern Appalachian region. Against scenes of the mountains and forests, Landry establishes the series as a celebration and preservation of Appalachian culture, connecting the landscape with the generations of people who have called the region home.
The file also contains separate “Intro” and “Prologue” chapters, with the prologue beginning at approximately 0:19.5.
It began in the Smoky Mountains but now embraces an entire region. An exploration of the history, traditions and folkways of East Tennesseans — The Heartland Series continues the celebration of a people and their land.
The Heartland Series continues its tradition of rich photography, gentle countrysides and gracious people. It’s a forthright chronicle of simple pleasures all too soon disappearing from the Appalachians, preserved here for your enjoyment.
The Heartland Series continues its tradition of rich photography, gentle countrysides and gracious people. It’s a forthright chronicle of simple pleasures all too soon disappearing from the Appalachians, preserved here for your enjoyment.
Experience the wit, wisdom, and knowledge of tradition native to the people of the Appalachians. The Heartland Series is your permanent collection of the values, folkways, natural wonders and unique history of this rich and varied region of the country.
Explore places that make up the legends and lore of the Southern Appalachians. The natural world unfolds before you; and forthright people tell of the traditions still existing, and others kept alive only in memory. Along the way, you’ll discover the rich heritage of this unique region from these heartwarming and often humorous episodes.
Explore places that make up the legends and lore of the Southern Appalachians. The natural world unfolds before you; and forthright people tell of the traditions still existing, and others kept alive only in memory. Along the way, you’ll discover the rich heritage of this unique region from these heartwarming and often humorous episodes.
With stunning videography and simple storytelling, The Heartland Series captures the history and traditions of a region. Look closely at the resilient forces of nature. This collection of episodes will entertain and educate the entire family.
With stunning videography and simple storytelling, The Heartland Series captures the history and traditions of a region. Look closely at the resilient forces of nature. This collection of episodes will entertain and educate the entire family.
The Heartland Series was created in 1984 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Many years and many episodes later, the mountains continue to inspire our storytelling. “More Stories from the Mountains” is a collection of episodes never before included on any DVD. This special volume captures the spirit of the people who lived and worked in these mountains as well as the wild creatures that inhabit them now. This DVD also contains a short documentary about the now-ended effort to return the endangered red wolf to the Smokies.
Herein are the lonesome strains of the music born of the mountains. The myths and legends that haunt the region. The beautiful tranquility of the land and the fierce pride of a people; sights and sounds of a unique place in a collection to enjoy at your leisure.
The Heartland Series presents stories of the southern Appalachian Mountains. They are told by ordinary people of the region, accompanied by rich videography and traditional music. Rediscover an almost forgotten way of life. Get a glimpse into a fascinating heritage. Come along for an unforgettable journey that is The Heartland Series.
Climb the majestic heights of a mountain, or descend deep into the earth. Your guide is The Heartland Series with Bill Landry. The journey encompasses more than distance: a rich heritage, a warm spirit and gentle sense of place await you in this 10th Anniversary collection of The Heartland Series.
The tireless industry of humans and nature and the often spectacular results. The pulse of the seasons in the southern Appalachians. True stories that chronicle the human drama of the people of the region. These glimpses of southern Appalachia are yours to keep in this volume of The Heartland Series, a celebration of people and their land.
Uplifting storytelling and insightful videography are the hallmark of The Heartland Series. This volume continues to discover the real treasures of southern Appalachia, its rich natural and cultural heritage. Also included here are stories that make tribute to Tennessee’s Bicentennial. The celebration of a people and their land carries on.
The 19th edition of The Heartland Series showcases natural wonders and human dramas of the southern Appalachians. See time inspired art on cave walls and in rural post offices. Hear traditional ballad music and the tunes of a modern guitar maker. A farmer climbs atop her tin roof to dry apples; another breaks bread with a mysterious stranger. We hope you enjoy the stories presented here for years to come.
The Heartland Series continues to chronicle life of the southern Appalachians. Hear four East Tennesseans recall how their expectations of life changed because of WWII and how a couple struggles with the future of their family farm in the face of development pressures. As always, this collection features spectacular scenery, lifeways, music and unforgettable characters.
People wonder how The Heartland Series keeps coming up with stories. Truly, they are everywhere. In the glorious scenery just across the mountain or around that next bend. In the fascinating endeavors of nature. In the people of the southern Appalachians who appear ordinary, yet weave tales of imagination and humor. We hope you enjoy watching this collection as much as we did putting it together.
The Heartland Series is your personal journey through all the wonder that makes the Smoky Mountains unique. Featuring spectacular videography from all seasons, The Heartland Series also captures the human spirit that resides here. You will meet the descendants of the earliest pioneers; the people who lived secluded for years and developed an originality apparent today. It’s a journey you will want to take again and again.
The art of storytelling is alive and well. Maybe it’s because mountain people have such a rich oral tradition. Or, maybe it’s because we have so many great stories to tell! From the mystique of the early Cherokee Indians to the people who live among us, these stories are more than entertainment, they are a part of our past, and make us who we are today.
A celebration of people and their land; it is the foundation of The Heartland Series. From the complexities of plowing to the art of whittling, this volume of The Heartland Series brings you the stories of the people who are the essence of the southern Appalachians. While they are simply stories of everyday mountain people, you’ll find they speak to the spirit of humans everywhere.
It is a unique sampling of the Appalachian Mountain region and the people, plants and animals that call it home. Volume 25 of The Heartland Series takes you on a journey from the soaring heights of Spence Field in the Great Smoky Mountains, to the mysterious underwater world of mussels in the Big South Fork. Each series is a treat for the senses, with dazzling visual images and memorable music that will become a treasured keepsake to be enjoyed time and again. Volume 25 of The Heartland Series.... an enduring tribute to a wondrous place. One you can take with you, wherever you call home!
The mission of The Heartland Series is to celebrate the fabric of southern Appalachian culture. For over twenty years, WBIR’s Bill Landry has brought you the people and places that make this part of the country so memorable. Whether it’s traveling deep below the earth’s surface, paying tribute to those who have served our country, or recalling young love, Volume 27 is a must have.
In this sampling of the people and places of the mountains of Appalachia, you’ll enjoy a voyage that is The Heartland Series. There are treasures at every turn in this timeless trip. Along the way you’ll experience the seasonal delights of a stunningly beautiful region. Here, each episode brings you closer to the wonders of an area that includes the Great Smoky Mountains and the Big South Fork. With each step you’ll delight at the wit, wisdom and whimsy of everyday folks. The Heartland Series takes you home wherever you might live.
The Heartland Series showcases the breathtaking landscapes and the unforgettable people that make our region like no other place on Earth. In this volume you’ll soar across the Smokies and down through the Big South Fork River gorge; you’ll hear amazing stories that have become part of the folklore of East Tennessee and meet everyday people that keep their roots close to their heart. This is a classic collection that will provide hours of enjoyment.
This is another remarkable collection of stories from television’s favorite celebration of a people and their land. Explore the forces that shape the history of a region and the people who call it home; take an epic journey up the Tennessee River; and delight in the everyday experiences that make life in East Tennessee extraordinary. It is a year’s worth of adventure, heartwarming tales and unforgettable moments.
Bill Landry and The Heartland Series continue the rich tradition of storytelling in this collection of episodes that concludes a 25 year exploration of the culture and heritage of southern Appalachia. Return with us to the Smoky Mountains as we visit with friends who share what life was like growing up, whether in the loud and dangerous logging camps of the high slopes or the bucolic grace of Cades Cove. And soar back to the childhood of a serious minded engineer on the wings of a model plane. This collection of stories is sure to warm your heart and make you proud of our rich and unique heritage. Plus, A Gathering of Friends, the special event that drew thousands of The Heartland Series fans to the Museum of Appalachia. This bittersweet celebration is intricately woven with a look back at the remarkable journey of an unlikely television show that defied the odds to become TV’s most beloved celebration of a people and their land.
Episodes for this season haven't been announced yet.
Cast & crew
Created by Bill Landry
The Heartland Series FAQ
When is the next episode of The Heartland Series?
A date for the next episode of The Heartland Series hasn't been announced yet. Follow The Heartland Series in the Streambay app and you'll be notified as soon as a new episode airs.
When did the latest episode of The Heartland Series come out?
The most recent episode of The Heartland Series, Season 1 Episode 1 "Prologue", aired on January 1, 1984.
How many seasons of The Heartland Series are there?
The Heartland Series has 32 seasons with 772 episodes in total.
When did The Heartland Series first air?
The Heartland Series first aired on January 1, 1984.
How do I get notified when new episodes of The Heartland Series are released?
Download the Streambay app, follow The Heartland Series, and you'll get a push notification the moment each new episode is released.
Arena is a British television documentary series, made and broadcast by the BBC. Voted by leading TV executives in Broadcast as one of the top 50 most influential programmes of all time, it has run since 1 October 1975 with over five hundred episodes made, directed by the likes of Martin Scorsese, Alan Yentob, Roly Keating, Frederick Baker, Volker Schlondorff and Vikram Jayanti. Arena's subjects are a roll-call of the world's best known cultural figures from the 20th and 21st centuries, from singers Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse to academics Edward Said and Eric Hobsbawm, from writers Jean Genet...
Synopsis: Arena is a British television documentary series, made and broadcast by the BBC. Voted by leading TV executives in Broadcast as one of the top 50 most influential programmes of all time, it has run since 1 October 1975 with over five hundred episodes made, directed by the likes of Martin Scorsese, Alan Yentob, Roly Keating, Frederick Baker, Volker Schlondorff and Vikram Jayanti. Arena's subjects are a roll-call of the world's best known cultural figures from the 20th and 21st centuries, from singers Bob Dylan and Amy Winehouse to academics Edward Said and Eric Hobsbawm, from writers Jean Genet...
The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.
Synopsis: The South Bank Show is a television arts magazine show produced by ITV between 1978 and 2010. A new series began on Sky Arts from 27 May 2012. Presented by Melvyn Bragg, the show aims to bring both high art and popular culture to a mass audience.
For the first time ever, a 30-year insider has come forward to reveal over 70 years of humanity's hidden history in space. Corey Goode joins David Wilcock in this inaugural presentation of Cosmic Disclosure to offer an overview of the history and extent of humanity's celestial presence.
Synopsis: For the first time ever, a 30-year insider has come forward to reveal over 70 years of humanity's hidden history in space. Corey Goode joins David Wilcock in this inaugural presentation of Cosmic Disclosure to offer an overview of the history and extent of humanity's celestial presence.
Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.
Synopsis: Major real-life air disasters are depicted in this series. Each episode features a detailed dramatized reconstruction of the incident based on cockpit voice recorders and air traffic control transcripts, as well as eyewitnesses recounts and interviews with aviation experts.
Fitil is a popular Soviet/Russian television satirical/comedy short film series which ran for about 500 episodes. Some of the episodes were aimed at children, and were called Фитилёк, Fitilyok, Little Fuse. Each issue contained from the few short segments: documentary, fictional and animated ones. Directed by various artists, including Leonid Gaidai who presented his famous trio of Nikulin, Vitsin and Morgunov into the cast. It was called in USSR as "the anecdotes from the Soviet government".
Synopsis: Fitil is a popular Soviet/Russian television satirical/comedy short film series which ran for about 500 episodes. Some of the episodes were aimed at children, and were called Фитилёк, Fitilyok, Little Fuse. Each issue contained from the few short segments: documentary, fictional and animated ones. Directed by various artists, including Leonid Gaidai who presented his famous trio of Nikulin, Vitsin and Morgunov into the cast. It was called in USSR as "the anecdotes from the Soviet government".
The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.
Synopsis: The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.
PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.
Synopsis: PBS' premier science series helps viewers of all ages explore the science behind the headlines. Along the way, NOVA demystifies science and technology, and highlights the people involved in scientific pursuits.
'Fantástico' is a journalistic program shown on Sundays, presented by Poliana Abritta and Maju Coutinho. Every week, he presents special reports, shows and various paintings.
Synopsis: 'Fantástico' is a journalistic program shown on Sundays, presented by Poliana Abritta and Maju Coutinho. Every week, he presents special reports, shows and various paintings.
20/20 is an American television newsmagazine that has been broadcast on ABC since June 6, 1978. Created by ABC News executive Roone Arledge, the show was designed similarly to CBS's 60 Minutes but focuses more on human interest stories than international and political subjects. The program's name derives from the "20/20" measurement of visual acuity.
The hour-long program has been a staple on Friday evenings for much of the time since it moved to that timeslot from Thursdays in September 1987, though special editions of the program occasionally air on other nights.
Synopsis: 20/20 is an American television newsmagazine that has been broadcast on ABC since June 6, 1978. Created by ABC News executive Roone Arledge, the show was designed similarly to CBS's 60 Minutes but focuses more on human interest stories than international and political subjects. The program's name derives from the "20/20" measurement of visual acuity.
The hour-long program has been a staple on Friday evenings for much of the time since it moved to that timeslot from Thursdays in September 1987, though special editions of the program occasionally air on other nights.
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