Apple TV+ orders Benjamin Franklin series starring Michael Douglas

American comedian Michael Douglas will play one of the Founding Fathers of the United States in a new historical series.

Based on the book The Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America by Pulitzer Prize-winning Stacey Schiff, the drama series explores the gripping story of one of the biggest bets in Benjamin Franklin’s career. At the age of 70, without any diplomatic training, he persuaded France – an absolute monarchy – to fund the American experiment in democracy.

Using his notoriety, charisma, and ingenuity, Franklin thwarted British spies, French informants, and hostile colleagues, while securing the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the final peace treaty with England in 1783. The eight-year French mission remains Franklin’s most important service to his country, without which America would not have won the revolution.

Michael Douglas to play Benjamin Franklin for Apple TV+

Benjamin Franklin miniseries to be written and produced by Kirk Ellis (John Adams, Into the West, Anne Frank: The Whole Story) and directed by Tim Van Patten (Boardwalk Empire, The Sopranos), “Pacific Ocean”), which will become an executive producer. along with Michael Douglas, Richard Plepler (EDEN productions), Tony Krantz (Flame Ventures) and Mark Mostyn. Note that Stacey Schiff will be co-executive producer of the project.