The series begins in 1967 Los Angeles . The story is inspired by actual people and events , but is also made up of fictional characters and stories . The show stars David Duchovny as Sam Hodiak , a fictional LAPD detective investigating the case of a missing teenage girl . Along with his younger colleague , undercover narcotics officer Brian Shafe ( Grey Damon ) , Hodiak finds himself coming up against Charles Manson ( portrayed by Gethin Anthony ) and his infamous " Family " , a mostly ragtag group of hippies who follow Manson into a life of sex , drugs , and rock-and-roll . Hodiak discovers that the missing girl , Emma Karn ( Emma Dumont ) , is with Manson and the Family . The first season revolves around the rise of the Family , while the second season focuses on the Tate murders and Helter Skelter
Tate murders
Tate murders
Aquarius (American TV series)