July 27, 2014 (2014-07-27) – December 15, 2015 (2015-12-15)
Manhattan (sometimes styledMANH(A)TTAN) is an Americandrama television series based on theproject of the same name that produced the first atomic weapons. While some historical figures appear inManhattan, most characters are fictional, and the show is not intended to maintain historical accuracy.[4]
The show was the first drama production forWGN America since the revival of Tribune's production arm asTribune Studios.[5] The series premiered on WGN America on July 27, 2014. The series earned critical acclaim throughout its run, but failed to secure adequate ratings. As a result, it was canceled on February 2, 2016, after its second season, becoming the first WGN America original series to be canceled.[6]
Set in 1943 and 1944 at the time of theManhattan Project, the series focuses on the scientists atProject Y and their families in the newly createdLos Alamos, New Mexico, a town the outside world knows nothing about. The federal government tells the scientists only what they need to know, while the scientists keep secrets from their families.[7]
The TV show is not intended to be historically accurate, but inspired by history.[8] The show does reference many aspects of the actual Manhattan Project, including some historical figures, such as head scientistJ. Robert Oppenheimer and his wifeKitty. Other contributors to the Manhattan Project, such asNobel LaureatesEnrico Fermi (who moved to the site in September 1944) andEmilio G. Segrè, do not appear.
Television networkWGN America premiered its first scripted show, the historical dramaSalem, on April 20, 2014.[11]Peter Liguori, CEO of WGN's parent,Tribune Media, emphasized a strategy of original content production as a way to improve the channel's prestige and profile.[12] TV companies producing the show includeLionsgate Television,Skydance Television andTribune Studios, a WGN affiliate.[3] When announced in April 2014, 13 episodes were ordered.[13]
The series began filming in mid-March across 12 acres (5 ha) in New Mexico.[4] On October 14, 2014,Manhattan was renewed for a second season.[3] Production on season 2 wrapped on July 24, 2015.[14]
David Saltzberg, a physicist atUCLA, acted as the scientific consultant for the show, andAlex Wellerstein, a historian of science atStevens Institute of Technology who studies the history of nuclear weapons and secrecy, acted as a historical consultant for the show for Season 2, providing period detail to the writers.[15][16]
Creator Sam Shaw said although that at first the show seems to be about World War II, and the development of the atomic bomb, it was about two eras: the development of the atomic bomb, and after dropping of it on Japan. Speaking about a potential third season Shaw said "the most complicated and morally fascinating and dramatic aspects of the history don't come until after the end of World War II." Shaw noted that only Fritz, Meeks, and Winter knew exactly what happened at the end of season 2 and that going forward he hoped he would get to write that story.[8] Shaw also said "I hope we'll get to follow characters in this moment when Los Alamos goes from being the best kept secret in the world to being the most famous city on the planet."[17]
Season 1 ofManhattan received highly positive reception from television critics and has aMetacritic score of 78 out of 100, based on 23 "generally favorable" reviews.[41] The review aggregation websiteRotten Tomatoes reports a 90% critics rating, with an average rating of 8.3/10 based on 31 reviews; the site's consensus reads: "Though slow to start,Manhattan is a top-notch drama thanks to a talented cast, beautiful cinematography, and a keen eye for period detail."[42]
Season 2 received further acclaim, scoring an 80 out of 100 based on nine reviews on Metacritic.[43] Rotten Tomatoes reports a 93% approval rating, with an average rating of 8.7/10 based on 14 reviews, and the site's consensus reading, "Manhattan's slow-building intrigue and sense of impending doom deepen in season two, further enriching an already well-acted period drama."[44]
