I Know This Much Is True (2020)
A devastating HBO miniseries about twin brothers, mental illness, and the unbreakable — and unbearable — bonds of family.
I Know This Much Is True - Series Information
- Original Title: I Know This Much Is True
- First Air Year: 2020
- Last Air Year: 2020
- Created by: Derek Cianfrance
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-MA
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 6
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Italian, English
- First Air Date: May 9, 2020 (United States - TV-MA), May 9, 2020 (United Kingdom - 15), May 9, 2020 (Germany - 18), May 9, 2020 (France - 18), May 9, 2020 (Brazil - 16), May 9, 2020 (Mexico - D), May 9, 2020 (Italy - VM14), May 9, 2020 (Spain - 18), May 9, 2020 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: HBO
- Alternative Titles: 他是我兄弟 (CN), La innegable verdad (CO), Un volto, due destini - I Know This Much Is True (IT)
- Production Companies: FilmNation Entertainment, Hunting Lane Films, Willi Hill
- Production Countries: United States of America
I Know This Much Is True - Plot
The parallel lives of identical twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey in an epic story of betrayal, sacrifice and forgiveness set against the backdrop of 20th century America.
I Know This Much Is True - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and get a first look at this powerful HBO miniseries.
You don't just give up on the people you love.
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I Know This Much Is True - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Derek Cianfrance
Main Cast
- Mark Ruffalo
- Melissa Leo
- Rosie O'Donnell
- Archie Panjabi
- Kathryn Hahn
- John Procaccino
- Rob Huebel
- Michael Greyeyes
- Gabe Fazio
- Rocco Masihi
Writers
- Derek Cianfrance
- Anya Epstein
Executive Producers
- Derek Cianfrance
- Anya Epstein
- Ben Browning
- Wally Lamb
- Gregg Fienberg
I Know This Much Is True - FAQs
Is I Know This Much Is True based on a true story?
It's not based on a true story, but it draws deeply from real human experience. The series adapts Wally Lamb's acclaimed 1998 novel of the same name, a work of fiction that explores mental illness, family trauma, and identity through the lives of twin brothers in small-town Connecticut.
Did Mark Ruffalo really play both twin brothers?
He did, and the performance is remarkable. Mark Ruffalo plays both Dominick and Thomas Birdsey, undergoing significant physical transformations between the two roles. The dual performance earned him the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series, along with widespread critical acclaim.
Where can you stream I Know This Much Is True?
The miniseries is available to stream on HBO Max and through the HBO Max Amazon Channel. If you prefer to own it, you can purchase or rent it on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
How many episodes does I Know This Much Is True have?
The series runs for six episodes, all released as part of a single miniseries season on HBO in 2020. Each episode runs approximately 60 minutes, making it a compact but emotionally intense viewing experience that unfolds like a long-form film.
Is I Know This Much Is True worth watching?
Absolutely, especially if you appreciate character-driven drama. The miniseries earned widespread critical praise for its emotional depth and Mark Ruffalo's extraordinary dual performance. It holds strong scores on Rotten Tomatoes and is frequently cited as one of the finest limited series HBO has ever produced.
Who created I Know This Much Is True?
Derek Cianfrance, the filmmaker behind Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines, created and directed the entire miniseries. His intimate, emotionally raw style proved a natural fit for Wally Lamb's sprawling novel, resulting in a deeply personal and visually striking adaptation.
Did I Know This Much Is True win any awards?
The series earned multiple Emmy nominations and wins, most notably Mark Ruffalo's Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series. It also received recognition for directing, writing, and cinematography, cementing its place as one of the most acclaimed limited series of 2020.
What is the content rating for I Know This Much Is True?
The series is rated TV-MA, meaning it is intended for mature audiences only. It contains intense depictions of mental illness, self-harm, violence, and emotional trauma. Viewer discretion is strongly advised, particularly for those sensitive to themes of schizophrenia and family dysfunction.
More About I Know This Much Is True
Explore further details about the series on these authoritative resources.