The Waltons is an American drama series that aired on CBS from 1972 to 1981, spanning nine seasons and 221 episodes.
Set in the fictional community of Walton's Mountain, Virginia, the series takes place during the Great Depression of the 1930s and continues through World War II in the 1940s.
The show follows the daily lives of the Walton family, who run a small lumber mill while navigating the hardships of economic struggle, wartime separation, and the challenges of raising seven children in rural Appalachia. Each episode is framed by narration from John-Boy Walton, the eldest son, who reflects on the events with the wisdom of hindsight, often closing with the iconic "Goodnight, John-Boy" sequence, as the family says "goodnight" to each other one by one.
The series was created by Earl Hamner Jr., who based it on his own childhood experiences growing up in a large family in Schuyler, Virginia, during the Depression and wartime years. Hamner had previously written the novel Spencer's Mountain (1961), which inspired both a film adaptation and later the 1971 TV movie The Homecoming: A Christmas Story. The success of that holiday special led CBS to commission The Waltons as a full series. John-Boy Walton, the sensitive, aspiring writer, was Hamner's fictional counterpart, and Hamner himself provided the adult narration for the series, giving it an intimate, autobiographical quality.
The Walton family was portrayed by a talented ensemble cast that included: John Walton Sr. (Ralph Waite), the hardworking father who runs the family's lumber mill; Olivia Walton (Michael Learned), the nurturing mother, deeply rooted in faith and family values; John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas, later Robert Wightman), the eldest son, a writer and the series' central voice; Grandpa Zeulon Walton (Will Geer), the wise, spirited patriarch; Grandma Esther Walton (Ellen Corby), the strong-willed matriarch; and the other Walton children: Mary Ellen (Judy Norton, the eldest daughter; Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough), the second daughter; Ben (Eric Scott, the middle son; Jim-Bob (David W. Harper), the second youngest; and Elizabeth (Kami Cotler), the youngest of the family. Together, the characters embodied themes of perseverance, morality, and the strength of family bonds.
When The Waltons premiered in 1972, it stood in stark contrast to the prevailing television landscape dominated by urban sitcoms and crime dramas. Critics and audiences embraced its wholesome storytelling, and the series quickly became a cultural benchmark. The series won several Emmy Awards and Golden Globes, with Michael Learned and Richard Thomas receiving particular acclaim for their performances.
Beyond the accolades, The Waltons resonated deeply with viewers because it celebrated values of family unity, integrity, and resilience during times of hardship. The catchphrase "Goodnight, John-Boy" became one of the most recognizable lines of 1970s television. The show also offered a nostalgic yet authentic portrayal of rural American life, serving as both entertainment and a historical perspective on Depression-era struggles.
The legacy of The Waltons extended beyond its original run through a series of made-for-television movies. These included The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971), the original TV film that launched the series; A Wedding on Walton's Mountain (1982), Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain (1982); A Day for Thanks on Walton's Mountain (1982), NBC reunion films that revisited the family after the series ended. Later CBS films produced in the 1990s included A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion (1993), A Walton Wedding (1995), and A Walton Easter (1997), which followed the family into the postwar years. These films allowed fans to reconnect with beloved characters and see how the family evolved through new generations and changing times.
Among the most discussed turning points in television series were the replacement of Richard Thomas with Robert Wightman, and the continued presence of Grandma Walton after Ellen Corby, who played the part, suffered a severe stroke in 1976.
After Season 5, Richard Thomas left the series to pursue other projects. When John-Boy returned in later seasons, he was portrayed by Robert Wightman. While his acting abilities were acknowledged as strong, many viewers struggled to accept a new actor in such a central role.
In 1976, Ellen Corby, who played Grandma Esther Walton, suffered a severe stroke that left her with limited speech and mobility. After being absent for more than a season, she returned in 1978, and the series incorporated her real-life condition into the storyline, portraying Grandma's struggles with aphasia and frustrations over her limitations. This was groundbreaking for television at the time.
Recommended Resources
The fan-run, comprehensive reference site for the 1970s TV series "The Waltons," presents episode guides, cast and guest lists, music, production details, merchandise, and background on creator Earl Hamner Jr. Key content areas include full season-by-season pages and movie specials, cast and character biographies, guest-star indexes organized by seasons, timelines, themes, cast updates, and FAQs, episode music and soundtrack listings, and behind-the-scenes information, locations, and awards.
https://www.allaboutthewaltons.com/
Earl Henry Hamner Jr. (July 10, 1923 - March 24, 2016) was an author, television writer, and producer, known for his work as the creator of "The Waltons," based on his novel, "Spencer's Mountain," itself inspired by his own childhood. Hamner provided voice-over narration at the beginning of most episodes of the series to provide context, and occasionally at the end of the program. He was born in Schuyler, Virginia, and was the oldest of eight children, with four brothers and three sisters.
https://www.earlhamner.com/
The unofficial fans site about "The Waltons" collects history, episode commentary, cast lists, production notes, and related trivia. It includes a long, personal essay on the series' origins, adaptation from Earl Hamner Jr.'s novels, and how the television series developed, along with the main cast and support cast lists with actor names and roles, and links to an episode guide, fan fiction, and external resources such as Earl Hamner's book and the official Waltons site.
https://thewaltons.flyingdreams.org/
The Waltons' Homecoming (2021)
The made-for-television movie is a holiday-themed, nostalgic update of the original Waltons pilot that does not feature the original cast. John-Boy Walton, now a 17-year-old, and his family prepare for John Walton Sr.'s return home for Christmas. A sudden storm separates father and son, forcing John-Boy to search for him. The journey becomes a formative experience that tests family bonds and changes John-Boy's outlook. Featured on The Movie Database, it is available to rent or buy.
https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/896913-the-waltons-homecoming
The Walton Museum website presents background and detailed content about the television series "The Waltons," including its characters, setting, production history, notable developments across seasons, and related media such as reunion films and streaming availability. This is an informational site rather than an actual museum. It offers an overview of the show's time period, its characters and cast, production and filming details, and notable developments during the series.
https://www.waltonmuseum.org/
Walton's Mountain Museum is a small museum in Schuyler, Virginia, dedicated to "The Waltons" television series and the work and life of Earl Hamner Jr., the show's creator and native of the area. It includes memorabilia from the series, such as photographs, scripts, props, and costumes, along with displays about Earl Hamner Jr., the real-life people who inspired the show, and local history. A gift shop offers show-related souvenirs. Information on visiting the facility is included.
http://walton-mountain.org/
This is a fan-run, mobile-friendly episode guide for "The Waltons," covering the pre-series movies and the 1971-1982 TV series, with photographs, cast and crew credits, synopses, commentary, airdates, and related resources. Included are detailed pages on the pre-series works "Spencer's Mountain" (1963) and the pilot TV movie "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story" (1971), including production notes, cast lists, filming locations, and background on the author's source material.
https://waltons.steve-p.org/
