Alias Grace (2017)
A haunting Canadian miniseries that unravels the true story of Grace Marks, an Irish immigrant whose guilt or innocence remains one of history's most enduring mysteries.
Alias Grace - Series Information
- Original Title: Alias Grace
- First Air Year: 2017
- Last Air Year: 2017
- Created by: Sarah Polley
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Crime, Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (46 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 25, 2017 (United States - TV-MA), September 25, 2017 (United Kingdom - 15), September 25, 2017 (Brazil - 16), September 25, 2017 (Spain - 16), September 25, 2017 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: CBC Television
- Production Companies: Halfire Entertainment
- Production Countries: Canada, United States of America
Alias Grace - Plot
Based on the true story of Grace Marks, a housemaid and immigrant from Ireland who was imprisoned in 1843, perhaps wrongly, for the murder of her employer Thomas Kinnear. Grace claims to have no memory of the murder yet the facts are irrefutable. A decade after, Dr. Simon Jordan tries to help Grace recall her past.
Alias Grace - Trailer
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Alias Grace - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Sarah Polley
Main Cast
- Sarah Gadon
- Edward Holcroft
- Rebecca Liddiard
- Zachary Levi
- Kerr Logan
- David Cronenberg
- Paul Gross
- Anna Paquin
- John Tench
- Samantha Weinstein
Writers
- Sarah Polley
Executive Producers
- Noreen Halpern
- Mary Harron
Alias Grace - FAQs
Is Alias Grace based on a true story?
Alias Grace draws from a real historical case. Grace Marks was an Irish immigrant convicted in 1843 for the murder of her employer Thomas Kinnear and his housekeeper Nancy Montgomery in Upper Canada. Margaret Atwood's 1996 novel, which inspired the series, blends documented facts with imaginative reconstruction of Grace's inner life.
Did Grace Marks actually commit the murders?
That question remains unanswered to this day, and it's precisely what makes the story so compelling. Grace always maintained she had no memory of the killings, and her co-conspirator James McDermott was hanged while she received a life sentence. Historians and scholars have never reached a definitive conclusion about her guilt or innocence.
Where can you stream Alias Grace?
Alias Grace is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. Both options give you access to all six episodes of the miniseries. Availability may vary by region, so check your local Netflix library if you don't see it listed immediately.
Is Alias Grace worth watching?
Absolutely worth your time. The miniseries earned widespread critical acclaim for its meticulous period atmosphere, Sarah Polley's intelligent adaptation, and a mesmerizing lead performance by Sarah Gadon. It holds a strong approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is praised for its psychological depth, feminist perspective, and refusal to offer easy answers.
Who plays Grace Marks in Alias Grace?
Sarah Gadon delivers a career-defining performance as Grace Marks, the enigmatic Irish immigrant at the center of the story. Her portrayal is layered and deeply controlled, keeping viewers perpetually uncertain about Grace's true nature. Edward Holcroft plays Dr. Simon Jordan, the psychiatrist who attempts to unlock her buried memories.
Is Alias Grace based on a Margaret Atwood novel?
The series is a direct adaptation of Margaret Atwood's 1996 novel of the same name. Atwood, best known internationally for The Handmaid's Tale, spent years researching the historical Grace Marks case before writing the book. Sarah Polley wrote the screenplay, staying faithful to the novel's ambiguous, psychologically rich tone.
Did Alias Grace win any awards?
Alias Grace earned strong recognition at the Canadian Screen Awards, winning multiple prizes including Best Drama Series and Best Actress for Sarah Gadon. The miniseries was also celebrated internationally, receiving nominations at the International Emmy Awards and drawing comparisons to other prestige literary adaptations of the era.
What are similar shows to Alias Grace?
If Alias Grace captivated you, The Alienist offers a similarly atmospheric 19th-century psychological investigation. The Sinner delivers the same slow-burn tension around a woman's buried trauma. Killing Eve brings a sharp feminist edge to crime storytelling, while The Knick immerses you in period detail with morally complex characters.
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