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Atlantic Crossing tells a little slice of history few people have heard of. The new PBS series explores an unusual relationship between two prominent figures, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Norway’s Crown Princess Märtha, as they become close during World War II.
“Atlantic Crossing has its dry moments, but its lavish scenery and fine performances more than make up for that. We’re especially excited to see more of MacLachlan and Harris as Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt,” Decider’s Joel Keller writes in his Atlantic Crossing review.
Curious to learn the real story behind the new PBS series? Here’s what you need to know about the inspiration for Atlantic Crossing.
IS ATLANTIC CROSSING A TRUE STORY?
Yes, Atlantic Crossing is based on a true story. Although the new PBS series isn’t a strict account of events, it’s inspired by the real-life relationship between FDR and Princess Martha, writer and creator Alexander Eik explained at the Television Critics Association press tour. “We made very serious efforts to achieve historical credibility. But Atlantic Crossing is a fictionalized drama inspired by true events,” he said, per Town and Country. “That’s [why] we labeled this show, ‘inspired by true events.'”
Atlantic Crossing‘s main story “is true,” Eik insisted. “Crown Princess Märtha had more access to President Roosevelt than any other person, save for his advisers, up until his death, and … she made a significant effort to help Norway during the war.” To better prepare for the series, Eik and his team thoroughly researched the Norwegian king and Märtha’s husband, the crown prince, because there was little information on the princess herself.
And while Eik and the Atlantic Crossing creators used “detective work” to piece the story together, they did have to “simplify” and “dramatize” in order to “cram five years of war history into an 8-hour drama,” he explained. “But, of course, what happened in more private, intimate situations, nobody knows, so we had to imagine what happened behind closed doors.”
For more info about the real-life history surrounding Atlantic Crossing, check out PBS’s Atlantic Crossing: History to Know Before You Watch.
WHERE CAN I WATCH ATLANTIC CROSSING?
Atlantic Crossing premiered in early April, but you can still catch up on the series. Right now, you can watch Atlantic Crossing with a premium subscription to Amazon Prime, or buy individual episodes through Google Play, YouTube or Vudu. And to catch new episodes, tune in on Sundays at 9/8c on PBS.
ATLANTIC CROSSING CAST: WHO STARS IN ATLANTIC CROSSING?
PBS’ new period drama has some major names playing its influential historical characters. Atlantic Crossing stars Sofia Helin as Norwegian Crown Princess Märtha, Tobias Santelmann as Norwegian Crown Prince Olav, Kyle MacLachlan as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harriet Sansom Harris as Eleanor Roosevelt, Søren Pilmark as King Haakon VII of Norway, and Anneke von der Lippe as Ragni Østgaard.
