A new historical drama about a secret Civil War spy ring run by women is coming to television. The Gray House tells a true story that most history books missed. With big names like Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman behind it, the series will show the dangerous work these women did to help the Union win the war.
All eight episodes of the limited series will be available to stream on Thursday, February 26, 2026. It will be on Prime Video in the United States at no extra cost for Prime members. The show highlights how a mother, her daughter, a freed woman, and a courtesan used their positions to gather secrets right under the noses of Confederate leaders in Richmond, Virginia.
The True Story Behind The Gray House Plot
The Gray House is not a fictional adventure. It is based on the real work of the Van Lew family and their allies during the American Civil War. The official description for the series explains its focus: “They weren’t generals. They didn’t fight on battlefields. They ran the war from inside the Confederacy”.
The story centers on Eliza Van Lew and her daughter, Elizabeth. They were wealthy socialites in Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederacy. Because of their high status, no one suspected they were loyal to the Union. They used their home as a base, transforming an Underground Railroad operation for escaping slaves into a sophisticated spy network for military intelligence.
A key member of their ring was Mary Jane Richards, a freed Black woman played by Amethyst Davis. Richards used her job working inside the Confederate White House to overhear critical plans and conversations. The group’s work was incredibly risky. If caught, they would have faced imprisonment or execution for treason.
Full Cast and Character Guide for the Prime Video Series
The series features an ensemble cast led by award-winning actors. Mary-Louise Parker, known for The Institute, takes on the lead role of Eliza Van Lew. Her on-screen daughter, Elizabeth Van Lew, is played by Daisy Head from Harlots.
Amethyst Davis portrays the pivotal real-life figure Mary Jane Richards. The talented Ben Vereen, famous for Roots, plays Isham Worthy, another member of the spy network.
The cast includes many other familiar faces playing historical figures:
- Sam Trammell as Confederate President Jefferson Davis
- Robert Knepper as the threatening Bully Lumpkin
- Christopher McDonald as Union spy Thomas McNiven
- Keith David as abolitionist preacher Henry H. Garnet
- Colin O’Donoghue as Captain William Lounsbury
- Rob Morrow as Confederate Secretary of State Judah Benjamin
How to Watch The Gray House on Prime Video
For viewers in the United States, watching is straightforward. The entire series arrives on Thursday, February 26, 2026. You can stream all episodes on Prime Video.
Access requires an Amazon Prime membership. This costs $14.99 per month or $139 for an annual subscription. Prime Video is included with this membership, so there is no extra fee to watch the series.
Amazon offers discounted memberships for some groups:
- Prime for Young Adults: For people aged 18-24, the cost is $7.49 per month or $69 per year after a six-month trial.
- Prime Access: For qualifying government assistance recipients, the cost is $6.99 per month after a 30-day trial.
International release plans for countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and India have not been officially detailed yet. Typically, Prime Video releases major original series globally on the same day or shortly after the U.S. debut.
Key Producers and Behind-the-Scenes Talent
The series brings together major Hollywood talent behind the camera. Two of the most famous actors are the executive producers: Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman. Costner produces through his company Territory Pictures, while Freeman works with Lori McCreary under their Revelations Entertainment banner.
The creator and head writer is Leslie Greif. He is known for creating the hit miniseries Hatfields & McCoys and wrote The Gray House with Darrell Fetty and John Sayles. Directing all eight episodes is Roland Joffé, an Oscar-nominated director for films like The Killing Fields and The Mission.
The series also features a notable soundtrack with original songs from major music stars. Willie Nelson performs a song that closes the series. Other artists like Shania Twain, Yolanda Adams, and Killer Mike also contribute music.
How The Gray House Fits Into the Historical Drama Genre
This series enters a popular genre but focuses on a fresh perspective. While many Civil War stories center on battles, generals, and male soldiers, The Gray House shifts the lens to women operating in the shadows. It shows espionage, social manipulation, and information warfare.
The series aims to be both entertaining and educational, bringing a footnote of history to the forefront. By highlighting the contributions of these women, it challenges the traditional narrative of the war. The producers have emphasized that this is a story about preserving democracy, fought not with muskets but with cunning and courage.
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