Generation Kill (2008)
HBO's landmark miniseries puts you inside the first wave of the Iraq invasion, embedded with the Marines who led the charge.
Generation Kill - Series Information
- Original Title: Generation Kill
- First Air Year: 2008
- Last Air Year: 2008
- Created by: David Simon
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: War, Politics, Drama, Action, Adventure
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (65 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 7
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: July 13, 2008 (United States - TV-MA), July 13, 2008 (Canada - 18+), July 13, 2008 (United Kingdom - 15), July 13, 2008 (Germany - 16), July 13, 2008 (France - 10), July 13, 2008 (New Zealand - 16), July 13, 2008 (Australia - MA 15+), July 13, 2008 (Brazil - 16), July 13, 2008 (Mexico - C), July 13, 2008 (Italy - VM14), July 13, 2008 (Spain - 18), July 13, 2008 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: HBO
- Alternative Titles: ジェネレーション・キル 兵士たちのイラク戦争 (JP), 제너레이션 킬 (KR)
- Production Companies: Company Pictures, Blown Deadline Productions
Generation Kill - Plot
The first 40 days of the war in Iraq as seen through the eyes of an elite group of U.S. Marines who spearheaded the invasion along with an embedded Rolling Stone reporter. A vivid account of the soldiers and of the forces that guided them in an often-improvised initiative.
Generation Kill - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a feel for the raw, ground-level intensity of the series:
Where to Watch Generation Kill
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Generation Kill - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- David Simon
Main Cast
- Alexander Skarsgård
- James Ransone
- Lee Tergesen
- Jon Huertas
- Stark Sands
- Owain Yeoman
- Billy Lush
- Chance Kelly
- Michael Kelly
- Jonah Lotan
Writers
- David Simon
- Ed Burns
Executive Producers
- Charles Pattinson
- George Faber
- David Simon
- Ed Burns
- Anne Thomopoulos
Generation Kill - FAQs
Is Generation Kill based on a true story?
Generation Kill is adapted from Evan Wright's firsthand account published in Rolling Stone and later as a book. Wright embedded with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, documenting the real experiences of the Marines he traveled alongside. The series stays remarkably close to his original reporting.
Who plays Brad Colbert in Generation Kill?
Alexander Skarsgård plays Sergeant Brad 'Iceman' Colbert, the cool-headed, tactically brilliant team leader at the center of the series. His restrained, magnetic performance earned widespread praise and helped establish him as a major dramatic talent well before his later high-profile roles.
Where can you stream Generation Kill?
You can stream Generation Kill on Max (formerly HBO Max), including through the HBO Max Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, episodes are available to buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Is Generation Kill worth watching in 2024?
Absolutely. Generation Kill holds up as one of the most authentic and unflinching portrayals of modern warfare ever made. Its refusal to glamorize combat, combined with sharp writing from David Simon and Ed Burns, makes it essential viewing for anyone interested in war, military culture, or prestige television.
Who created Generation Kill?
Generation Kill was created by David Simon, the acclaimed writer behind The Wire, and his longtime collaborator Ed Burns. The pair adapted Evan Wright's Rolling Stone reporting into a seven-episode HBO miniseries, bringing the same unflinching realism to the Iraq War that they applied to Baltimore in The Wire.
How was Generation Kill received by critics?
Critics responded with strong enthusiasm, praising its documentary-like authenticity, ensemble performances, and refusal to take a simplistic political stance. Many highlighted it as a worthy companion piece to The Wire, with particular acclaim for Alexander Skarsgård's performance and the series' immersive, ground-level perspective on the Iraq invasion.
How many episodes does Generation Kill have?
Generation Kill consists of seven episodes, each running approximately 65 minutes. The entire miniseries aired on HBO across the summer of 2008, covering the first 40 days of the 2003 Iraq invasion in a single, self-contained season with no follow-up seasons planned or produced.
What are similar shows to Generation Kill?
If Generation Kill gripped you, Band of Brothers is the natural next watch — another HBO prestige war miniseries with the same attention to unit dynamics and historical authenticity. Over There and The Terminal List also explore military life and combat, while House of Saddam offers a complementary look at the Iraq conflict from a different angle.
More About Generation Kill
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