World War II with Tom Hanks

World War II with Tom Hanks

For eighty years, the Second World War has remained the most devastating and defining conflict in human history. World War II with Tom Hanks reexamines the war through the lens of a new century. Told over twenty hours and guided by Tom Hanks, whose lifelong passion for this history has shaped some of the most profound screen portrayals of the era, the series captures the full arc of the war ? from the rise of fascism in Europe to the fall of Berlin, from Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima, and the uneasy peace that follows. Each episode uncovers new dimensions of the conflict: the decisions that shaped the battlefield, the unseen networks that sustained the war effort, and the aftershocks that still shape our world today. World War II with Tom Hanks is the definitive retelling of that story for a new generation: a sweeping, deeply human portrait of how the modern world was forged in the fires of global war.

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Episodes

World War II with Tom Hanks

Coming May 26th: World War II with Tom Hanks reexamines history?s most devastating conflict for a new century. Across twenty hours, the series traces the war?s full arc?from the rise of fascism to Hiroshima?uncovering the decisions, hidden networks, and lasting consequences that continue to shape our world.

2026-05-18
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Barbarossa

Operation Barbarossa, Nazi Germany?s surprise invasion of the Soviet Union, launches on June 22, 1941. In what is the largest military operation in history, Hitler aims to capture the Soviet Union?s vast economic resources, enslave its populations, and expand Germany east. It is the beginning of a brutal campaign that will ultimately help decide the war in Europe.

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Simon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorSean McMeekin, professor, Bard CollegeColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversityDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryGeneral Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Sir Antony Beevor, military historian

2026-05-26
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Blitz

After defeating Poland, Hitler looks west, planning an attack into France that will take advantage of a weak point in their defences. France is overrun and new British Prime Minister Churchill scrambles to evacuate Allied troops from the coast. Shocked by the defeat of France, Roosevelt calls to mobilize the US while German planes bombard Britain from the sky. The Germans are pushed back as Roosevelt establishes the US as the ?arsenal of democracy? in the war against tyranny.

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Ludivine Broch, historian, University of WestminsterCameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff CollegeMichael Neiberg, professor, US Army War CollegeSaul David, military historian and authorGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasDan Snow, historian and broadcasterAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJon Meacham, presidential historianLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins University

2026-05-26
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The Beginning

In September 1939, enabled by a secret pact between Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin, Germany invades Poland with its lightning style of tank warfare, plunging Europe back into war. Adolf Hitler can now pursue his longed-for racial war, as the world watches in horror, and the stage is set for global conflict.

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Dan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumCameron Zinsou, associate professor, Command and General Staff CollegeGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversitySimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorRoger Moorhouse, historian and authorLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityJames Bulgin, Imperial War MuseumGeneral Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Sean McMeekin, professor, Bard College

2026-05-26
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Pearl Harbor

Driven by their desire for resources and an Asian empire, Japan invades China. The US joins the global outcry as Japanese troops brutally destroy the Chinese capital of Nanking. FDR responds with a crippling oil embargo, but Japan refuses to back down, propelling them towards an attack on Pearl Harbor that will change the trajectory of WWII and the world.

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Geoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasNoriko Kawamura, professor, Washington State UniversityTakima Melber, the University of HeidelbergRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghJon Meacham, presidential historianLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeMax Brooks, fellow, Modern War Institute, West Point

2026-06-02
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The War at Sea

In 1940, German U-boats are sinking British hopes of victory. From the sidelines, FDR loans Britain much needed aid and maneuvers US patrols to the edge of an ?undeclared war? with Germany. Meeting at a game-changing summit, Churchill and FDR align their goals. But as America and Britain get closer, so do the German U-boats. Once at war, the US will face not only German ships but the might of the Japanese empire. At Midway, America?s young and inexperienced forces will fight for control of the sea.

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Dan Snow, historian and broadcasterPhillips O'Brien, professor, University of St. AndrewsMax Brooks, fellow, Modern War Institute, West PointRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumJon Meacham, presidential historianLeah Wright Rigueur, associate professor, Johns Hopkins UniversityGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North TexasColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeJonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore History

2026-06-02
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Darkness Falls

Under Adolf Hitler's leadership, anti-Semitic policies escalate from discrimination to widespread genocide. The state-sponsored persecution features mobile killing squads conducting mass shootings, and then purpose-built death camps, where millions of men, women and children are murdered by poison gas.

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

Waitman Wade Beorn, assistant professor, Northumbria UniversityJadwiga Biskupska, associate professor, Sam Houston State UniversityAlexandra Richie, professor, Collegium CivitasDaniel Greene, adjunct professor, Northwestern UniversityJames Bulgin, Imperial War MuseumRebecca Erbelding, historian and authorSimon Sebag Montefiore, historian and authorRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII Museum

2026-06-09
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Guadalcanal

America?s ?day of infamy? at Pearl Harbor is the birth of a new Japanese empire. Japan launches unprecedented attacks across Asia, proclaiming ?Asia for the Asians? and pushing out Western colonial powers. Fueled by ideology, Japan?s armies are seemingly unstoppable ? until a confrontation with the 1st Marine Division of the United States at Guadalcanal becomes a testing ground in a war without mercy.

This episode features interviews with (in order of appearance):

General Wesley Clark, US Army, Ret.Jonathan Parshall, military historian, US Naval War CollegeRobert Citino, senior historian, National WWII MuseumSaul David, military historian and authorDan Snow, historian and broadcasterChristopher Harding, cultural historian, University of EdinburghDan Carlin, podcaster, Hardcore HistoryTakima Melber, the University of HeidelbergColonel Douglas Douds, professor, US Army War CollegeGeoffrey Wawro, professor, University of North Texas

2026-06-09
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