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Apple TV+ releases first look at eight-part historical drama Franklin, starring Michael Douglas as overachiever Benjamin Franklin, who was an 18th century American writer, diplomat, scientist, inventor, publisher, philosopher and one of the founders of the United States. So not lazy then. >>

TVSA Team
18 Mar 2024 17:31

Premieres on 12 April with the first three episodes, followed by one new episode each Friday through to May 17, 2024.

The synopsis:

Based on Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff's book, A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America, Franklin" explores the story of the greatest gamble of Benjamin Franklin's career.

In December 1776, Franklin is world famous for his electrical experiments, but his passion and power are put to the test when - as the fate of American independence hangs in the balance - he embarks on a secret mission to France.

At age 70, without any diplomatic training, Franklin convinced 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 to engineer the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and the peace treaty with Great Britain in 1783.

The eight-year French mission stands as Franklin's most vital service to his country. Many diplomats and historians still regard it as the greatest single tour of duty by an ambassador in America's history, as without French aid, America could not have won the Revolution.