AceShowbiz - Tom Hanks is set to narrate an ambitious new documentary series on World War II, premiering on the History Channel this Memorial Day. The series, titled World War II with Tom Hanks, aims to present a comprehensive and modern retelling of the deadliest conflict in history through 20 episodes available in 200 territories and translated into 40 languages.

The series covers the full scope of the war, starting from Germany’s invasion of Poland to the eventual collapse of the Axis powers. It highlights major battles across multiple theaters, including Stalingrad, Normandy, the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Pacific jungles and islands. The narrative combines detailed accounts of fierce combat by land, sea, and air with the broader geopolitical shifts that defined the era.

Tom Hanks also serves as the series’ narrator and is joined behind the scenes by executive producers Gary Goetzman and Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jon Meacham. Production is handled by Nutopia, A+E Factual Studios Group, and Motion Entertainment, with a collaborative effort from the History Channel’s own executive producers.

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans participates in the production, lending expertise and ensuring historical accuracy. This partnership adds a layer of credibility and depth to the storytelling, emphasizing the series’ dedication to factual detail.

Beyond the battlefield, World War II with Tom Hanks explores the profound human cost of total war. It examines the Holocaust, civilian resistance movements, and the impact on home fronts worldwide. The documentary also reveals lesser-known aspects such as espionage, codebreaking, and the industrial efforts that were crucial to the war’s outcome.

The series weaves together perspectives from iconic wartime leaders — including Winston Churchill, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Erwin Rommel, Joseph Stalin, Hideki Tojo, and Adolf Hitler — alongside the experiences of ordinary soldiers and civilians across continents. It culminates with the dawn of the atomic age and the uneasy transition from wartime allies to Cold War adversaries, offering a detailed and humanized portrayal of this transformative period.

Tom Hanks is no stranger to World War II storytelling, having contributed as a producer and narrator on acclaimed projects such as HBO’s Band of Brothers and The Pacific, as well as Apple TV+’s Masters of the Air and the film Greyhound. This new series continues his ongoing engagement with the subject.

The premiere of World War II with Tom Hanks coincides with Memorial Day, a fitting tribute to those who served and sacrificed during the war. Additionally, the series is part of the History Honors 250 campaign, which leads up to the United States’ Semiquincentennial celebration on July 4, 2026, marking 250 years of American patriotism.

With its expansive scope and rich content, World War II with Tom Hanks promises to be a definitive documentary event, inviting viewers to reflect on the war’s enduring impact as global tensions rise anew. A trailer for the series is available, offering a glimpse of the powerful storytelling to come.