| Franklin | |
|---|---|
_poster.jpg) Promotional poster | |
| Genre | Biographical drama |
| Based on | A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America byStacy Schiff |
| Written by | Kirk Ellis andHoward Korder |
| Directed by | Tim Van Patten |
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Jay Wadley |
| Country of origin | United States |
| 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 (2024-04-12) – May 17, 2024 (2024-05-17) |
Franklin is a 2024biographical drama televisionminiseries about the United StatesFounding FatherBenjamin Franklin, based onStacy Schiff's 2005 bookA Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America. It was released onApple TV+ on April 12, 2024.[1] The series depicts the eight yearsBenjamin Franklin spent inFrance to convince KingLouis XVI to support the burgeoning United States in theAmerican Revolutionary War.
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by [2] | Original release date [3] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Sauce for Prayers" | Tim Van Patten | Kirk Ellis andHoward 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. | |||||
It was announced in February 2022 thatMichael Douglas would star in the series asBenjamin Franklin forApple TV+, with Kirk Ellis writing the series andTim Van Patten directing.[4] In June 2022, it was announced thatHoward Korder had joined the production as a writer and executive producer.[5]
Filming began in June 2022 inVersailles, withNoah Jupe,Ludivine Sagnier,Daniel Mays,Assaad Bouab andEddie Marsan amongst additional casting announced.[5]
On review aggregatorRotten 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] OnMetacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 57 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[7]
| Principal author |  | |
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| American Revolution | ||
| French Revolution | ||
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| Life |
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