Set your DVRs and get your popcorn ready! Our home sweet home Alexandria is the star of PBS’ first American drama in nearly a decade: “Mercy Street.”
The show premieres Sunday (tomorrow!) at 10 p.m. on PBS — immediately following “Downton Abbey.” This six-episode series in inspired by real events of Civil War-era Alexandria:
“Set in 1862, ‘Mercy Street’ follows the lives of two volunteer nurses on opposite sides of the conflict; Mary Phinney (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), a staunch New England abolitionist, and Emma Green (Hannah James), a naive young Confederate belle. The two collide at Mansion House, the Green family’s luxury hotel that has been taken over and transformed into a Union Army Hospital in Alexandria.
“Just outside of Washington, D.C., Alexandria was a border town between North and South and the longest Union-occupied city of the Civil War. Ruled under martial law, Alexandria was the melting pot of the region, filled with soldiers, civilians, female volunteers, doctors, wounded fighting men from both sides, speculators, spies, and African American refugees.”
Naturally, Alexandria is very excited about the show and the city has responded with a host of “Mercy Street”-themed events, tours and more. Check out all the experiences inspired by “Mercy Street” at www.VisitAlexandriaVA.com/mercystreet.
Now, just for fun, jump over to the PBS website to “tintype” yourself! Check it out and share what yours looks like!
