Tennessee Johnson

A runaway tailor’s apprentice who becomes a self-taught, pragmatic politician. He builds a public profile by organizing local reform against landowner monopolies, then transitions from sheriff to senator. His loyalty to the Union and willingness to compromise under pressure shape his controversial ascent to the presidency.

Johnson’s wife and intellectual partner, who teaches him to read and write and supports his political ambitions. Her influence anchors his early reform efforts and provides a steady, moral center through the era’s upheavals. Her encouragement helps shape his pragmatic approach to leadership.

A powerful, uncompromising opponent in Congress who advocates harsh Reconstruction and impeachment strategies. He embodies radical political calculation and moral conviction, driving much of the film’s conflict with Johnson. His push for aggressive policy highlights the era’s deep ideological split.

The wartime president who selects Johnson as his vice president to pursue reconciliation with the South. Lincoln’s assassination catalyzes Johnson’s rise to the presidency and intensifies the ensuing political drama. His legacy casts a long shadow over the film’s exploration of unity and punishment.

A representative tied to Lincoln’s circle, whose presence underscores the national stakes surrounding Johnson’s fate. The emissary’s role signals the broader reach of presidential influence beyond the immediate cast.

Leader of the Confederacy whose counterpart to Johnson’s Union loyalties frames the era’s stark divide. Davis’s presence highlights the central conflict between reconciliation and severance. The character provides context for the Civil War’s political landscape.

A central legal figure in the impeachment proceedings, representing the constitutional framework and the procedural aspects of the era. His role intensifies the clash between executive power and legislative oversight. The character underscores the film’s focus on law and order during crisis.

A pivotal vote in the impeachment trial, whose unconscious state adds dramatic tension to the final decision. The sequence emphasizes the fragility of democracy under pressure and the weight of pivotal moments in history.

A legislator whose stance reflects the Senate’s internal divisions during Johnson’s era. His position helps to shape the impeachment narrative and illustrates the complexity of coalition-building in Congress.