History series: Michael Douglas as founding father Benjamin Franklin

History series
Michael Douglas as founding father Benjamin Franklin

Revolutionary, statesman, pioneer, inventor, lover, liar, gambler, patriot – this is how the series “Franklin” introduces its protagonist. And that’s not an exaggeration. The eight-part series (from April 12th) on the streaming service Apple TV+ is about it Benjamin Franklin, who made history as one of the founding fathers of the United States.

He was also known for his experiments with electricity. Franklin was already 70 years old when, without any diplomatic training, he went to France in 1776 on a delicate mission to gain support for the American independence movement from the monarchy there. “Without soldiers, money and weapons, the United States will be finished faster than it began,” Franklin warns at one point.

This brilliant role is embodied by a big Hollywood star. The two-time Oscar winner Michael Douglas, now 79 years old, transforms himself into this larger-than-life historical figure with charm, depth and French speaking. “He was an overwhelming, legendary Renaissance man,” enthuses Douglas in a press interview.

After just two years of school, Franklin became an author, printer and publisher, laid the foundation for the postal system, libraries and a university and helped write the US Declaration of Independence. He was then supposed to make this new democracy attractive to one of the largest monarchies. “It was an almost impossible situation, with spies, traitors and opponents,” says the actor.

Douglas plays Franklin with a rebellious, seductive edge. The American stands out from the stiff French aristocracy, with white powdered wigs and strict rules of etiquette, with his charisma and unconventional demeanor. “Diplomacy must never be a siege, but rather a seduction,” is his declared motto. Of course, he also tries out his seduction skills in other ways. Gout and bladder stones, which plague him as he ages, cannot harm his love affairs.

The American envoy’s eight-year mission to England during the Revolutionary War is a success. With diplomatic skill and a few tricks, Franklin brought about the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and ultimately the peace treaty with Great Britain of 1783.

The lavish miniseries with opulent costumes was filmed in 2022 in Paris and other French locations, including Versailles, over 160 days. Douglas enthuses that this was the best production of his career – and points to a cast with French stars such as Thibault de Montalembert (“Call My Agent!”), Ludivine Sagnier (“Swimming Pool”) and Jeanne Balibar (“Memoria”) .

The 19-year-old Brit Noah Jupe, known from films such as “Suburbicon”, “A Quiet Place” and “Honey Boy”, also plays an important role. He plays the grandson Temple Franklin, who accompanies his grandfather to France at the age of 16. There he has his first love affairs and becomes involved in the struggle for the young American democracy. For Douglas, who also co-produced the series, this is an important aspect. “This is important for younger viewers who have better access to the material through Noah’s role,” says the Hollywood star and grandfather of two. During the “Franklin” filming, Douglas was a “very cool” grandfather for him, Jupe confirmed to the veteran star in a press interview.

“Franklin” is based on the nonfiction book “A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Stacy Schiff. The film was directed by Tim Van Patten, who previously directed episodes of hit series such as “The Sopranos”, “The Wire” and “Boardwalk Empire”. For Van Patten, this late chapter in Franklin’s life is an important but often overlooked piece of history. “It’s a reminder of how fragile the world and a democracy is, says the director. Douglas would play Franklin as if he were a contemporary figure. “You feel what’s at stake and how important it is even today “.

In fact, “Franklin” is not a dusty history series, but exciting, sophisticated entertainment with explosive political undertones. It’s thanks to Douglas that Franklin doesn’t look a bit pale in the costume drama with powdered wigs.

Franklin on Apple TV+

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