Franklin

Franklin is an eight-part Apple TV+ historical drama set in December 1776, with Benjamin Franklin at the height of his fame and intellect but under enormous pressure. Michael Douglas plays the famed inventor, diplomat, printer, and statesman as he undertakes a secret mission to France to secure crucial money and military support for the American cause, while the fate of American independence hangs in the balance. Based on Stacy Schiff's book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America, the series focuses on political maneuvering, persuasion, and the high-stakes diplomacy that helped shape the Revolution. The story also follows Franklin's relationship with his teenage grandson and aide Temple, and uses the opulent French setting to contrast wit, spectacle, and danger in a foreign court.

Reception for Franklin was mixed overall. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series landed in the low-70s on the critics side, while audience response was notably cooler, with commentary suggesting a clearer divide between admiration for the production and frustration with the pacing. Metacritic also characterized the show as mixed, reinforcing the sense that critics did not agree on how well the series balanced history, drama, and political intrigue. Some reviewers praised Michael Douglas as the anchor of the show, calling him convincing, charismatic, and well-suited to a wry, aging Franklin; others felt the series was too restrained, too slow, or unevenly focused. Publications such as Time highlighted the appeal of seeing a different side of Franklin and commended Douglas's performance, while outlets like RogerEbert.com and The Daily Beast were less enthusiastic, pointing to stiffness or a lack of spark. IMDb user ratings place it at 6.9/10, which fits the broader picture: appreciated by many for its period detail, costumes, and central performance, but not universally loved for momentum or narrative energy.