New Orleans got a jump on the rest of the country this week, snagging a first look at The HISTORY Channel’s sweeping new documentary series “World War II with Tom Hanks.” The National WWII Museum rolled out the red carpet on Wednesday for an exclusive, sold-out preview that pulled in museum historians, series producers and veterans for a panel and reception. The early screening helped stoke local buzz ahead of the show’s national Memorial Day debut.
National WWII Museum Hosts Early Screening
According to The National WWII Museum, the “Exclusive Early Screening” unfolded Wednesday inside the US Freedom Pavilion, starting with a reception and followed by a behind-the-scenes panel. Series consultant Rob Citino and Playtone producer Kirk Saduski headlined the discussion, with remarks from The HISTORY Channel executive Eli Lehrer. The museum’s listing also noted that the event was sold out and confirmed that Tom Hanks did not attend.
Series Premiere and Production
The 20-episode series, narrated and executive produced by Hanks, officially arrives this Memorial Day and will launch with three back-to-back episodes starting at 8 p.m. Eastern / 7 p.m. Central, according to The HISTORY Channel. The network’s announcement and press materials credit Playtone, Nutopia and A+E Factual Studios as production partners and list Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Jon Meacham among the executive producers, as detailed in the channel’s release.
Museum Expansion and D-Day Commemoration
The screening landed as the museum pushes forward on a 10-year, $300 million Victory’s Promise fundraising campaign that targets campus expansion, digital education and broader national outreach, according to The National WWII Museum. NOLA.com reported that the institution will also mark the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings and its own 26th anniversary on June 6, with ceremonies that include the Dr. Hal Baumgarten D-Day commemoration.
Voices From the Preview
Attendees described the series as unusually ambitious for a network documentary. As reported by NOLA.com, Playtone producer Kirk Saduski praised the museum’s staff and called veteran historian Rob Citino “the rock of Gibraltar,” while museum curator Stephen Watson labeled the production “one of the most consequential ever done on the war.”
Viewers nationwide can catch the three-hour launch this Memorial Day evening. New episodes will air weekly and will stream the following day on HISTORY.com and the HISTORY app, per The HISTORY Channel.
