Franklin (miniseries)

*Franklin*
Franklin
Genre	Biographical drama
Based on	A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America; by Stacy Schiff
Written by	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder
Directed by	Tim Van Patten
Starring	Michael Douglas; Noah Jupe; Daniel Mays; Ludivine Sagnier; Thibault de Montalembert; Assaad Bouab; Théodore Pellerin; Tom Hughes; Jeanne Balibar; Eddie Marsan;
Theme music composer	Jay Wadley
Country of origin	United States
Original languages	English; French;
No. of episodes	8
Production
Executive producers	Kirk Ellis; Howard Korder; Tim Van Patten; Michael Douglas; Tony Krantz; Mark Mostyn; Richard Plepler;
Running time	48–60 minutes
Production companies	Flame Ventures; EDEN Productions; Shadowcatcher Productions; Boil Some Water Entertainment; ITV Studios America;
Original release
Network	Apple TV+
Release	April 12 –; May 17, 2024

Franklin is a biographical drama miniseries about the United States Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, based on Stacy Schiff's 2005 book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America. It was released on Apple TV+ on April 12, 2024.^[1] The series depicts the eight years Benjamin Franklin spent in France to convince King Louis XVI to support the burgeoning United States in the American Revolutionary War.

Cast

Main

Recurring

Olivier Claverie as Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont
Aïtor de Calvairac as Jacques "James" Le Ray de Chaumont
Lily Dupont as Cunégonde Brillon
Marc Duret as Monsieur Brillon

Guest

Florence Darel as Therese Chaumont
Olivier Rabourdin as Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir
Tom Pezier as Louis XVI, King of France
Maria Dragus as Marie Antoinette
John Hollingworth as David Murray, Lord Stormont
Romain Brau as Chevalier d'Éon
Ed Stoppard as John Jay
Gary Lewis as Richard Oswald
Jack Archer as Thomas Grenville
Patrick Kennedy as Strachey

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by ^[2]	Original release date ^[3]
1	"Sauce for Prayers"	Tim Van Patten	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder	April 12, 2024 (2024-04-12)
As the fight for independence teeters on the brink of defeat, Benjamin Franklin and his grandson plunge into a world of intrigue and deception.
2	"Welcome, Mischief"	Tim Van Patten	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder	April 12, 2024 (2024-04-12)
An arms operation is threatened by a ruthless opponent. The Paris police watch Franklin’s every move. Temple makes a confession.
3	"Pride and Gout"	Tim Van Patten	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder	April 12, 2024 (2024-04-12)
Bad news arrives from America. Franklin finds himself ensnared in the traps of Versailles. Temple bows down before a star.
4	"Small Revenge"	Tim Van Patten	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder	April 19, 2024 (2024-04-19)
Franklin pays back an insult and receives the favour of a king; a new lover catches Franklin's eye and an old rival turns up to thwart him.
5	"The Natural State of Man"	Tim Van Patten	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder	April 26, 2024 (2024-04-26)
Tensions mount between Franklin and Adams. Madame Brillon asserts her power. Temple decides to fight his own war.
6	"Beauty and Folly"	Tim Van Patten	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder	May 3, 2024 (2024-05-03)
Franklin suspects traitors are everywhere. Vergennes makes a final offer. Jacques introduces Temple to the thrill of the hunt.
7	"Begin by Creeping"	Tim Van Patten	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder	May 10, 2024 (2024-05-10)
After victory at Yorktown, the Americans and the French plot against each other for the upper hand. Franklin is laid low at a crucial moment.
8	"Think of Three Things"	Tim Van Patten	Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder	May 17, 2024 (2024-05-17)
The future of the United States is decided by six men in a room. Franklin and Temple face a changed world.

Production

It was announced in February 2022 that Michael Douglas would star in the series as Benjamin Franklin for Apple TV+, with Kirk Ellis writing the series and Tim Van Patten directing.^[4] In June 2022, it was announced that Howard Korder had joined the production as a writer and executive producer.^[5]

Filming began in June 2022 in Versailles, with Noah Jupe, Ludivine Sagnier, Daniel Mays, Assaad Bouab and Eddie Marsan amongst additional casting announced.^[5]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 64% of 28 critics gave the series a positive review, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The critical consensus reads, "Franklin's unhurried retelling of revolutionary history can be dry as parchment, but Michael Douglas' sly performance as the founding father gives it a compelling jolt."^[6] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 57 out of 100 based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[7]