Plot: In December 1776, Benjamin Franklin is world-famous for his electrical experiments, but his passion and power are put to the test when he embarks on a secret mission to France, with the fate of American independence hanging in the balance.
The Franklin Series was let down.
Pros: I like the production & costume designs that fits the time period was set. Michael Douglas was so good as Benjamin Franklin.
Cons: I didn’t like a lot of the French language dialogue that well. Every episode lasted way too long. It’s paste itself too slow. The series didn’t empress me into the drama and suspense.
Genre: History, War, Biographical, Drama
Directed by Tim Van Patten
Written by Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder
Based on A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America
by Stacy Schiff
Starring: Michael Douglas, Noah Jupe, Daniel Mays, Ludivine Sagnier, Thibault de Montalembert, Assaad Bouab, Théodore Pellerin, Tom Hughes, Jeanne Balibar & Eddie Marsan.
Theme Music Composer by Jay Wadley
Executive producers: Kirk Ellis, Howard Korder, Tim Van Patten, Michael Douglas, Tony Krantz, Mark Mostyn, Richard Plepler
Production companies: Flame Ventures, EDEN Productions, Shadowcatcher Productions, Boil Some Water Entertainment, ITV Studios America
Network: Apple TV+
Casts & Characters:
Main:
- Michael Douglas as Benjamin Franklin
- Noah Jupe as William Temple Franklin
- Daniel Mays as Edward Bancroft
- Ludivine Sagnier as Anne Louise Brillon de Jouy
- Thibault de Montalembert as Charles Gravier, comte de Vergennes
- Assaad Bouab as Pierre de Beaumarchais
- Théodore Pellerin as Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette
- Tom Hughes as Paul Wentworth
- Jeanne Balibar as Anne-Catherine de Ligniville, Madame Helvétius
- Eddie Marsan as John Adams
Recurring:
- Olivier Claverie as Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont
- Aïtor de Calvairac as Jacques “James” Le Ray de Chaumont
- Lily Dupont as Cunégonde Brillon
- Marc Duret as Monsieur Brillon
- Ed Stoppard as John Jay
- Gary Lewis as Richard Oswald
- Jack Archer as Thomas Grenville
- Patrick Kennedy as Strachey
Guest:
- Florence Darel as Therese Chaumont
- Olivier Rabourdin as Jean-Charles-Pierre Lenoir
- Tom Pezier as Louis XVI, King of France
- John Hollingworth as David Murray, Lord Stormont
- Romain Brau as Chevalier d’Éon
- Maria Dragus as Marie Antoinette,
I worse skip this series.
Rating: 3 out of 10 Stars
Ryan Balkwill:
Resident TV reviewer,
Level Best Art Cafe