Franklin | |
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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 | |
Theme music composer | Jay Wadley |
Country of origin | United States of America |
Original languages |
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No. of episodes | 8 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Running time | 60 minutes |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | Apple TV+ |
Release | April 12 May 17, 2024 | –
Franklin is a 2024 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.
No. | Title | Directed by | Written by [2] | Original release date [3] | |
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1 | "Sauce for Prayers" | Tim Van Patten | Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder | April 12, 2024 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
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 | |
The future of the United States is decided by six men in a room. Franklin and Temple face a changed world. |
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]
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 35 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 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[7]