Darwin's Darkest Hour
A Nova drama on Darwin's life before publishing his theory.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Darwin's Darkest Hour is an American television drama that aired in 2009 as part of the series *Nova*, a co-production with National Geographic. The episode covers Charles Darwin's life up to the release of *On the Origin of Species*, using flashbacks to tell the story.
In 1858, Darwin considers making his ideas public, even though he expects strong opposition from Christians. He also worries that British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace has independently arrived at the same theory of evolution by natural selection. After receiving a letter from Wallace in June 1858, Darwin fears he may lose the chance to publish his own version first. Over two weeks, he discusses the dilemma with his wife Emma, recounting the events that led to his theory, including his voyage on the HMS Beagle. During this time, their youngest son dies of scarlet fever. The conversations are intercut with flashbacks of family life, including experiments Darwin conducted with his children and the earlier death of their ten-year-old daughter Anne. Emma eventually accepts how her husband’s work might challenge her faith, and despite knowing the backlash to come, Darwin decides to publish *On the Origin of Species* in 1859.
The episode premiered on PBS in the United States on October 6, 2009. NHK acquired Japanese distribution rights. It was filmed to mark the bicentennial of Darwin’s birth and the 150th anniversary of his book’s publication. John Goldsmith, who previously wrote for *Victoria & Albert*, *David Copperfield*, and *Kidnapped*, wrote the screenplay. Henry Ian Cusick plays Charles Darwin, and Frances O’Connor plays Emma Darwin. The episode was released on DVD and Blu-ray.
Janet Browne, writing in the *Bulletin of the History of Medicine*, called the documentary a pleasure to watch, noting its clear main threads and emotional engagement with the characters. Brian Switek of *Wired* said the drama might not appeal to everyone but serves as a quick way for those unfamiliar with Darwin to understand him better. Mark Feeney of the *Boston Globe* remarked that late-arriving viewers might mistake it for an episode of *Masterpiece Classic*.
- type
- Television episode
- network
- PBS (United States)
- premiere_date
- October 6, 2009
- director
- Not specified in source
- screenwriter
- John Goldsmith
- starring
- Henry Ian Cusick as Charles Darwin, Frances O'Connor as Emma Darwin
- distributor
- NHK (Japan)
Lore & Background
The episode centers on Charles Darwin in 1858, as he considers releasing his theory of evolution by natural selection despite anticipated backlash from the Christian community. His urgency increases when he receives a letter from British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who has independently arrived at the same theory. Darwin worries he may lose priority in publishing his own work. Over two weeks, he discusses the matter with his wife Emma, recounting the events that led to his theory, including his expedition on HMS Beagle. During this period, their youngest son dies of scarlet fever. Flashbacks also depict family life, experiments Darwin conducted with his children, and the earlier death of their 10-year-old daughter Anne. Despite Emma's concerns about her faith and the expected backlash, Darwin decides to publish On the Origin of Species in 1859.
Reader's Guide
Darwin's Darkest Hour was produced for the bicentennial anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species. It aired on PBS on October 6, 2009, and was later released on DVD and Blu-ray. The screenwriter, John Goldsmith, had previously written for Victoria & Albert, David Copperfield, and Kidnapped. Reception was mixed: Janet Browne of the Bulletin of the History of Medicine praised the documentary as a pleasure to watch with easy-to-understand threads and emotionally engaging moments. Brian Switek of Wired noted that the drama offers a quick way to understand Darwin for those unfamiliar with him. Mark Feeney of the Boston Globe remarked that late viewers might think they were watching an episode of Masterpiece Classic. The episode provides a dramatized account of Darwin's personal and professional struggles leading up to his landmark publication.
Did You Know?
- The episode was produced in collaboration with National Geographic.
- Henry Ian Cusick played Charles Darwin, and Frances O'Connor played his wife Emma.
- The episode was filmed for the bicentennial anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of On the Origin of Species.
- The screenwriter, John Goldsmith, previously wrote for Victoria & Albert, David Copperfield, and Kidnapped.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Darwin's Darkest Hour?
It is a dramatized episode from the PBS science series Nova, produced in partnership with National Geographic, that follows Charles Darwin from his youth through the moment he finally commits to publishing his theory of evolution. The story is told largely through flashbacks rather than a strictly chronological structure.
Who stars in Darwin's Darkest Hour?
Henry Ian Cusick portrays Charles Darwin and Frances O'Connor plays his wife Emma. The screenplay was written by John Goldsmith.
When and where did Darwin's Darkest Hour premiere?
The episode first aired on October 6, 2009, on PBS in the United States as part of the ongoing Nova programming block.
What is the central conflict in Darwin's Darkest Hour?
The drama focuses on Darwin's 1858 anxiety about going public with his ideas, torn between expected religious backlash and the dread that Alfred Russel Wallace has independently stumbled onto the same natural-selection theory. Wallace's June 1858 letter to Darwin serves as the episode's dramatic turning point.
Where does the story in Darwin's Darkest Hour end?
The narrative arc concludes at the threshold of Darwin's theory being made public, capping the journey from his early life up to the initial release of On the Origin of Species. It does not extend into the broader public reception or later decades of his career.
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