September 20, 2023 — Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court

Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center and Institute of Politics co-sponsored a conversation on the US Supreme Court with Dawn Porter, Director of the new Showtime series Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court. Premiering at a profoundly consequential time, Deadlocked is a four-part documentary series that traces the modern history of the Supreme Court and the people, decisions and confirmation battles that have shaped the Court into what it is today. The series reveals how the Supreme Court’s ideological balance has shifted over the years to reflect the hopes—and fears—of American citizens, exploring the interconnectedness between the Court’s and the nation’s future. 

Dawn Porter was joined by Professor of Practice at Harvard Law School Alan Jenkins, who is featured in the series. Former North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice and Fall 2023 Institute of Politics Resident Fellow Cheri Beasley moderated the discussion.