In a lighthearted revelation at the 2024 Winter Television Critics Association press tour, Hollywood icon Michael Douglas shared an amusing reason behind his role as Benjamin Franklin in the upcoming Apple TV+ limited series, “Franklin.”
The 79-year-old actor, known for his versatile roles, disclosed that his decision to step into the shoes of one of America’s founding fathers was fueled by a desire to don historical attire, particularly tights.
Explaining his motivation, Douglas humorously remarked, “I’ve never done period [genre], so I wanted to see how I look in tights.” He playfully blamed the attractive costume for his initial attraction to the role. The actor, in a jovial mood, expressed that, at this point in his career, he’s exploring new horizons and trying out different things.
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Michael Douglas went on to highlight the appeal of the project, describing Franklin as “a bit of a rascal” and emphasizing the fantastic opportunity it presented. He praised the series’ ensemble cast and credited the show’s success to the collaboration with a talented director, Tim Van Patten. According to Douglas, the aim was to steer clear of conventional historical depictions and delve into the intrigue, gamesmanship, and gamble surrounding America’s founding fathers.
Set to premiere on April 12, “Franklin” features a stellar cast, including Daniel Mays, Noah Jupe, Thibault de Montalembert, Ludivine Sagnier, Eddie Marsan, Assaad Bouab, Jeanne Balibar, and Theodore Pellerin. Douglas commended his fellow actors and labeled the series as “probably the best production I’ve been involved with in my career.”
The series, based on Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff’s book, “A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America,” promises to explore the thrilling story of one of Benjamin Franklin’s most daring gambles. Franklin’s charisma, fame, and ingenuity are showcased as he outmaneuvers British spies, navigates French informers, and tackles hostile colleagues.
The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of Franklin engineering the Franco-American alliance of 1778 and negotiating the final peace treaty with England in 1783. The eight-year French mission is portrayed as Franklin’s indispensable service to his country, a pivotal contribution without which America might not have emerged victorious in the Revolution.