American Playhouse Facts, FAQ & Common Questions
1982 · PBS · Status: Ended · Rated: TV-PG
Frequently Asked Questions About American Playhouse
Direct, verified answers to the most common queries regarding episodes, renewals, watch order, and streaming availability.
How many seasons and episodes does American Playhouse have?
American Playhouse has 13 seasons and 211 total episodes, spanning from its premiere on January 12, 1982 to September 29, 1996.
Is American Playhouse renewed, ended, or canceled?
American Playhouse has concluded its run and is officially ended.
How long does it take to binge watch American Playhouse?
It takes 290h 45m (17445 minutes) to watch the complete run of American Playhouse. At a standard pace of 2 hours per day, you will finish the entire series in approximately 146 days. Not realistic for a 48-hour weekend. At 290.8 total hours, watching at a healthy 2 hours per day will take approximately 146 days.
What is the highest-rated episode of American Playhouse?
The highest-rated episode is Season 1, Episode 15 ("Weekend"), which holds an outstanding rating of 10/10 based on 1 audience ratings.
Where can you stream or watch American Playhouse?
American Playhouse is available for streaming on Digital on-demand platforms & broadcast archives. Availability may vary by regional territory, subscription tier, and digital purchase availability.
What is the official age rating for American Playhouse?
American Playhouse has an official content rating of TV-PG.
Who are the lead actors in American Playhouse?
The primary ensemble cast includes Sam Waterston as Robert Oppenheimer (age 85), Edward Herrmann as Alger Hiss (age 71 (deceased)), John Carson as Narrator (voice) (age 89 (deceased)), David Suchet as Edward Teller (age 80).
Ensemble Cast & Current Ages
Lead cast members, their character identities, and current ages calculated from official biographical records:
| Actor | Character | Current Age |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Waterston | Robert Oppenheimer | 85 |
| Edward Herrmann | Alger Hiss | 71 (deceased) |
| John Carson | Narrator (voice) | 89 (deceased) |
| David Suchet | Edward Teller | 80 |
| Jana Shelden | Kitty Oppenheimer | 80 |
| Edward Hardwicke | Enrico Fermi | 78 (deceased) |
| Christopher Muncke | Colonel Kenneth Nichols | 84 |
| Sada Thompson | Widow Douglas | 83 (deceased) |
Editorial Verification & Sources
All production facts, air dates, cast credentials, and streaming metadata for American Playhouse are compiled from official broadcaster archives, TMDB, and Wikidata records. Last verified on September 26, 2026.