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Michael Douglas will play Benjamin Franklin in Apple TV series

By Kevin Fraser

Posted 4 years ago

Michael Douglas, Benjamin Franklin, Apple TV

Last Updated on March 1, 2022

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, is set to be the subject of his very own limited-series. Apple TV has tapped Michael Douglas to star as Benjamin Franklin for a new series that will be written by Kirk Ellis and directed by Tim Van Patten.

Based upon A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America by Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff, the series will “explore the thrilling story of one of the greatest gambles of Benjamin Franklin’s career. At age 70, without any diplomatic training, Franklin convinced France – 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, all while engineering the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the final peace with England of l783. The eight-year French mission stands as Franklin’s most vital service to his country, without which America would not have won the Revolution.” In addition to starring as Benjamin Franklin, Michael Douglas will also executive produce the series alongside Kirk Ellis, Tim Van Patten, Richard Plepler, and Tony Krantz. Stacy Schiff is also involved as a co-executive producer.

This will actually be Kirk Ellis’ third time bringing Benjamin Franklin to life as he also wrote and produced HBO’s John Adams mini-series (in which Franklin was played by Tom Wilkinson) and wrote History’s Sons of Liberty (in which Franklin was played by Dean Norris). This also won’t be the only historical figure Michael Douglas has on his upcoming slate as he’s set to play President Ronald Reagan in Paramount’s Reagan & Gorbachev limited series. The actor recently wrapped production on Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is set to hit theaters on July 28, 2023.

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Kevin Fraser

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