Benjamin Franklin was one of the US founding fathers, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, inventor and now the subject of a brand new limited series on Apple TV Plus. Franklin is set to follow the historical figure during a critical point in history, one where the future of America was still very much undecided.
This won't be the first TV series to focus on a founding father, as HBO previously made the acclaimed series John Adams starring Paul Giamatti. Benjamin Franklin was a fixture in that series, played by the late Tom Wilkinson, but now he is the subject of the story and is being played by an even more recognizable star, Michael Douglas.
Interested? Read on to find out more about Franklin, including when the next episode is and who else is starring in the series.
Franklin next episode
Franklin episode 5 is now streaming on Apple TV Plus.
In order to watch Franklin, you need to have an Apple TV Plus subscription.
Franklin recaps
Read the synopses for the Franklin episodes that have been released thus far and our in-depth recaps for each episode:
Franklin episode 1, "Sauce for Prayers"
"As the American Revolution hangs in the balance, Benjamin Franklin and his grandson navigate a treacherous web of secrets and lies to secure the nation's freedom." Read WTW's Franklin episode 1 recap.
Franklin episode 2, "Welcome, Mischief"
"An arms operation is threatened by a ruthless opponent. The Paris police watch Franklin's every move. Temple makes a confession." Read WTW's Franklin episode 2 recap.
Franklin episode 3, "Pride and Gout"
"Bad news arrives from America. Franklin finds himself ensnared in the traps of Versailles. Temple bows down before a star." Read WTW's Franklin episode 3 recap.
Franklin episode 4, "Small Revenge"
"Franklin pays back an insult—and receives the favor of a king. A new lover catches his eye, and an old rival turns up to thwart him." Read WTW's Franklin episode 4 recap.
Franklin episode 5, "The Natural State of Man"
"Tensions mount between Franklin and Adams. Madame Brillon asserts her power. Temple decides to fight his own war." Read WTW's Franklin episode 5 recap.
Franklin cast
Portraying Benjamin Franklin is Hollywood legend Michael Douglas. Douglas is an Oscar-winning actor for his role as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, as well as an Emmy winner for playing Liberace in the TV limited series Behind the Candelabra. Many will know him from his more recent work in Marvel's Ant-Man franchise and from his Netflix show The Kominsky Method alongside the late Alan Arkin.
The rest of the Franklin cast includes:
- Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place) as Temple Franklin
- Thibault de Montalembert (Call My Agent!) as Comte de Vergennes
- Daniel Mays (Line of Duty) as Edward Bancroft
- Ludivine Sagnier (Lupin) as Madame Brillon
- Eddie Marsan (Back to Black) as John Adams
- Assaad Bouab (Call My Agent!) as Beaumarchias
- Jeanne Balibar (Irma Vep) as Madame Helvetius
- Theodore Pellerin (There's Someone Inside Your House) as Marquis de Lafayette
Franklin plot
The TV series is based off of Stacy Schiff's book, "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France and the Birth of America." Here is the official synopsis for the series:
"In December 1776, Franklin is world famous for his electrical experiments, but his passion and power are put to the test when — as the fate of American independence hangs in the balance — he embarks on a secret mission to France.
"At age 70, without any diplomatic training, Franklin convinced an absolute monarchy to underwrite America’s experiment in democracy. By virtue of his fame, charisma and ingenuity, Franklin outmaneuvered British spies, French informers and hostile colleagues to engineer the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the peace treaty with England in 1783.
"The eight-year French mission stands as Franklin’s most vital service to his country, without which America could not have won the Revolution. Diplomats and historians still regard it as the greatest single tour of duty by an ambassador in our nation’s history."
Franklin trailer
The official trailer for Franklin is here, previewing a series with plenty of political intrigue around one of the most influential moments in world history. Watch the full trailer directly below:
