Paul Giamatti John Adams Actor Laura Linney Abigail Adams Actor Stephen Dillane Thomas Jefferson Actor Danny Huston Samuel Adams Actor Tom Wilkinson Benjamin Franklin Actor Sarah Polley Abigail Adams Smith Actor David Morse George Washington Actor Justin Theroux John Hancock Guest Star Željko Ivanek John Dickinson Guest Star John Dossett Benjamin Rush Guest Star Steven Hinkle Young John Quincy Adams Guest Star Madeline Taylor Young Nabby Adams Guest Star Clancy O'Connor Edward Rutledge Guest Star Tom Beckett Elbridge Gerry Guest Star Brennan Brown Robert Treat Paine Guest Star Ed Jewett James Duane Guest Star Del Pentecost General Henry Knox Guest Star Tom Hooper Director Tom Hanks Executive Producer Gary Goetzman Executive Producer Kirk Ellis Executive Producer Frank Doelger Producer David Coatsworth Producer