Plot Synopsis

Based on Doris Kearns Goodwin's 2018 book, "Leadership: In Turbulent Times," THEODORE ROOSEVELT is a two-part, five-hour television event that tells the story of the first modern President of the United States: Theodore Roosevelt, a champion of social justice, a passionate conservationist and the self-proclaimed "bull moose" who once delivered an 84-minute speech bleeding from the chest after being shot in a failed assassination attempt. The two-night program explore the breadth and depth of one of history's most interesting men - a cowboy, soldier, statesman, conservationist, adventurer, reformer and author who suffered profound personal loss and became at age 42 the youngest president of the United States, having a monumental impact that is still felt today. From coming to understand Roosevelt's privileged yet sickly childhood, viewers will see how his early motivation and perseverance to "make" his body set him up for a lifelong pursuit of fighting injustice. His resilience, humility, empathy, ambition, political acumen, and humor are on full display as he moves seamlessly through a long and winding career from the Dakota Badlands to the halls of power in New York, from the battlefields of Cuba leading the "Rough Riders" to victory during the Spanish-American War and eventually to the White House when the assassination of William McKinley catapulted him to the presidency during one of the most turbulent periods in American history. By combining expert interviews, premium dramatic live-action sequences as well as Roosevelt's own words and rich archival material, this documentary event will chart Roosevelt's riveting journey and timely story showcasing how his relentless and compassionate determination to fight for the working man reshaped the political landscape forever and helped propel America into the 20th century. THEODORE ROOSEVELT includes interviews with renowned historians and authors Dr. H.W. Brands, Col. USMC Ret. Doug Douds, Dr. Kathleen Dalton, Dr. Douglas Brinkley, Dr. Megan Kate Nelson, Dr. Leroy G. Dorsey, Dr. Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Clay Jenkinson, Roosevelt's great-grandson Tweed Roosevelt and more. Rufus Jones (Camping, Hunderby) portrays Theodore Roosevelt in the series. THEODORE ROOSEVELT premieres from 8-10:30pm ET/PT on History Channel on back-to-back nights: Monday, May 30 and Tuesday, May 31, 2022.