Michael Douglas to Star as Benjamin Franklin in Upcoming Apple TV+ Series

Apple today announced a new Benjamin Franklin show that is set to star award winning actor Michael Douglas as the titular character. The limited drama series is based on the book "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America" by Stacy Schiff.

apple tv plus banner
According to Apple's description of the as-of-yet untitled TV series, it will explore the "thrilling story of one of the greatest gambles of Benjamin Franklin's career."

The drama 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 treaty 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.

The show will be written and executive produced by Kirk Ellis, who has also worked on an Anne Frank TV mini series and a mini series about John Adams. It will be directed by Tim Van Patten, who has worked on "Game of Thrones," "The Sopranos," "The Wire," and "Black Mirror."

Apple TV+ is priced at $4.99 per month, but Apple provides three months of free access with the purchase of an Apple device (which is a one-time deal). The service has been available since November 2020, and Apple has now accumulated several hit TV shows and movies including "Ted Lasso," "CODA," "For All Mankind," and more.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
xiaomi apple ad india

Apple and Samsung Push Back Against Xiaomi's Bold India Ads

Friday August 29, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple and Samsung have reportedly issued cease-and-desist notices to Xiaomi in India for an ad campaign that directly compares the rivals' devices to Xiaomi's products. The two companies have threatened the Chinese vendor with legal action, calling the ads "disparaging." Ads have appeared in local print media and on social media that take pot shots at the competitors' premium offerings. One...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...

Top Rated Comments

DeepIn2U Avatar
46 months ago

Michael Douglas, Benjamin Franklin and Apple TV. That entire headline is stuffed full of yawn inducing boringness.
I beg to differ Michael Douglas is quite an amazing actor it’s a possibility you might see something a little more familiar or maybe even completely new all depends upon the production screen right play as well as direction
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lazyrighteye Avatar
46 months ago

Michael Douglas, Benjamin Franklin and Apple TV. That entire headline is stuffed full of yawn inducing boringness.
While it's certainly no Fast & Furious 11: Look Whose Furiouser, Douglas can act and Franklin was a pretty interesting dude. Has potential. I'll check it out.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CrapShack Avatar
46 months ago
Since I'm obsessed with history, I've always wished we had the same interest in our history as the British do for theirs. Thanks to YouTube and other sites I've discovered fascinating series like "The Devil's Crown," "Shadow of the Tower," "The Six Wives of Henry VIII," "Elizabeth R," "Fall of Eagles," "Edward the Seventh" etc etc. HBO had a great show with "John Adams" a few years ago and I'm very much looking forward to this series about Benjamin Franklin... who certainly had enough of a "truth is stranger than fiction" kind of life to justify it.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unity451 Avatar
46 months ago
They should've gone with Andy Daly instead. I'd watch that.

MacRumors content image
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Corsig Avatar
46 months ago
I’d watch this
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
banfiz Avatar
46 months ago
I am fed with the incorrect use of the word Titular. In what way does Benjamin Franklin hold a purely formal role without any real authority????????

Attachment Image
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)