Michael Douglas' Benjamin Franklin Apple Series Adds Noah Jupe and More To Cast

Apple TV+’s Untitled Benjamin Franklin series starring Michael Douglas has started production, and the rest of the cast has been revealed. Douglas is playing Franklin in the series and he’ll be joined by Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place), who will take on the role of Temple Franklin, the diplomat and secretary to his grandfather Benjamin.

Additional cast includes Ludivine Sagnier (Lupin) as Madame Brillon, Thibault de Montalembert (Call My Agent!) as Vergennes, Daniel Mays (Line of Duty) as Edward Bancroft, Assaad Bouab (Call My Agent!) as Beacumarchais, Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan) as John Adams, Jeanne Balibar (Irma Vep) as Helvetius and Theodore Pellerin (There’s Someone Inside Your House) as Lafayette.

The eight-episode limited drama “explores the 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 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 series is based on the book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America by Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff. The upcoming show was written by Kirk Ellis, who previously worked on the wonderfully made HBO series John Adams. Tim Van Patten is directing the series.