Michael Douglas to play Benjamin Franklin in Apple TV+ limited series

Based on Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff's book "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America", the drama will explore the thrilling story of one of the greatest gambles of Franklin's career

"The Kominsky Method" star Michael Douglas will portray the role of Benjamin Franklin in an upcoming limited series from Apple TV Plus.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar-winning actor will also executive produce the show with Kirk Ellis and Tim Van Patten, Richard Plepler, Tony Krantz and Mark Mostyn.

The project comes from Ellis and Van Patten, who have penned and directed the series, respectively.

Based on Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff's book "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America", the drama will explore the thrilling story of one of the greatest gambles of Franklin's career.

A drafter and signer of the U S Declaration of Independence, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, a group of American revolutionary leaders who united the Thirteen Colonies, led the war for independence from Great Britain, and built a frame of government for the new United States of America.

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 1783. The eight-year French mission stands as Franklin's most vital service to his country, without which America would not have won the Revolution," reads the plot's synopsis.