About Aquarius

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music, Soundtrack

About

Aquarius is a crime television series that first premiered on NBC in 2015. The show is set in the late 1960s and follows the story of LAPD Detective Sam Hodiak as he investigates the infamous Manson Family cult led by Charles Manson. The series is a fictionalized account based on real events and characters from that time period.

The show primarily revolves around Detective Hodiak's pursuit of Manson and his followers, the investigation of missing teenager Emma Karn, and the complex dynamics of the 1960s era, including political unrest, racial tension, and the emergence of the counterculture movement.

Making / Production

Aquarius was created by John McNamara and features a unique format, with the entire first season released online for streaming on NBC's website before airing on television. The show's second season continued with a traditional television release.

The series was filmed in and around Los Angeles, capturing the essence and aesthetic of the 1960s. The production team strived to accurately recreate the time period through set design, costumes, and music.

Actors

• David Duchovny as Detective Sam Hodiak - Duchovny portrays the determined and dedicated LAPD detective, constantly pursuing justice and uncovering the truth.
• Gethin Anthony as Charles Manson - Anthony delivers a chilling portrayal of the charismatic cult leader, known for his manipulation and influence over his followers.
• Grey Damon as Brian Shafe - Damon plays a young, undercover detective who forms an unlikely partnership with Hodiak.
• Emma Dumont as Emma Karn - Dumont portrays a troubled teenager who becomes involved with Manson and the Manson Family.
• Michaela McManus as Grace Karn - McManus plays Emma's sister and an aspiring lawyer, providing a legal lens to the investigations.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Aquarius takes inspiration from real events and characters associated with the Manson Family but is primarily a work of fiction.
• The show incorporates real-life locations, such as the Spahn Ranch, where the Manson Family resided.
• The fictional character Detective Sam Hodiak is loosely based on real-life detective Dave Toschi, known for his work on the Zodiac Killer case.
• Aquarius explores the social and cultural challenges of the 1960s, including topics like racial tension, drug use, and the counterculture movement.

Awards

No major awards were received by Aquarius.

Quotes

• "You can't unsee what you've seen. It stays with you, like a nightmare you never wake up from." - Sam Hodiak
• "I am a killer. I am Manson." - Charles Manson
• "Sometimes the worst thing you can do to a cause is give it your whole heart." - Brian Shafe
• "We either live together or we die alone." - Emma Karn

Music, Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Aquarius features a collection of music from the 1960s, capturing the spirit and atmosphere of the time. Songs from iconic artists such as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Jimi Hendrix can be heard throughout the series, enhancing the overall setting and mood.