Michael Douglas to play Benjamin Franklin in new limited series

By Stephen Iervolino

Oscar winner Michael Douglas is playing an American icon: founding father Benjamin Franklin.

"The Kominsky Method" star will bring the story of the legendary figure to life for a limited series produced by ITV Studios America and Apple Studios.

The project is based on Stacy Schiff's Pulitzer-winning book, "A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America." The series is co-produced by Kirk Ellis, who wrote HBO's acclaimed John Adams series.

"The drama will explore the thrilling story of one of the greatest gambles of Benjamin Franklin's career," Apple TV+ teased in a statement.

"At age 70, without any diplomatic training, Franklin convinced France -- an absolute monarchy -- to underwrite America's experiment in democracy," the statement said. "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."

Jay L. Clendenin/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Michael Douglas arriving at the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, Calif., Feb. 27, 2022.

No word on who else will star in the series or when it'll debut.