The Franklin cast features Michael Douglas, Noah Jupe and Daniel Mays. This info article contains minor spoilers and cast/character summaries for Kirk Ellis and Howard Korder’s 2024 Apple TV+ miniseries. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category, and then browse complete soundtrack song listings in the Soundtracks of Cinema section.

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Franklin primarily takes place in France. As the legendary Benjamin Franklin anticipates the American Revolutionary War, he seeks official support from influential people in Paris and Versailles. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he and his grandson strategize against both friends and foes. Here’s every actor and character in Franklin, an adaptation of Stacy Schiff’s 2005 book A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Sugar’

Franklin Cast: Michael Douglas as Benjamin Franklin

Character Profile: An American scientist who views diplomacy as a seduction. He arrives in France as an unofficial emissary. Benjamin seeks support for America from French associates.

Douglas’ Resume: Jack Colton in Romancing the Stone (1984), Gordon Gekko in Wall Street (1987), Dan Gallagher in Fatal Attraction (1987), Liberace in Behind the Candelabra (2013), Sandy Kominsky in The Kominsky Method (2018-21)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Palm Royale’

Franklin Cast: Noah Jupe as Temple Franklin

Character Profile: Benjamin’s grandson. He is a 17-year-old who learns to play chess, both literally and figuratively.  Franklin matures while bonding with French associates.

Jupe’s Resume: Daniel Roper in The Night Manager (2016), Marcus Abbott in A Quiet Place (2018), Otis (12) in Honey Boy (2019), Peter Miles in Ford v Ferrari (2019), Henry Fraser in The Undoing (2020)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Manhunt’

Franklin Cast: Daniel Mays as Edward Bancroft

Character Profile: Benjamin’s associate. He is an American physician who works as a double agent. Edward tries to avoid conflict between the United States and England.

Mays’ Resume: Dave Shilling in The Bank Job (2008), Young Journalist in Mr. Nobody (2009), Allan/Pirate Flunky #1 in The Adventures of Tintin (2011), Tivik in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), DI John Major in Code 404 (2020-22)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Constellation’

Franklin Cast: Ludivine Sagnier as Madame Anne-Louise Brillon

Character Profile: A French composer. She is a harpsichord specialist from Passy. Madame Brillon develops a playful friendship with Benjamin.

Sagnier’s Resume: Julie in Swimming Pool (2003), Tink in Peter Pan (2003), Esther in The Young Pope (2016), Claire Laurent in Lupin (2021-23), Theresa Cabarrus in Napoleon (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The New Look’

Franklin Cast: Thibault de Montalembert as Comte de Vergennes

Character Profile: A French diplomat. He works as a foreign minister for King Louis XVI. Comte de Vergennes worries about the consequences of a societal rebellion.

De Montalembert’s Resume: Chabrand in Commissaire Laviolette (2010-12), Olivier Pujol in The Tunnel (2013-18), King Charles VI in The King (2019), General Ferdinand Foch in All Quiet on the Western Front (2022), Stephane Nelson in Heartstopper (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Criminal Record’

Franklin Cast: Assaad Bouab as Beaumarchais

Character Profile: A French entrepreneur. He works with Comte de Vergennes. Beaumarchais keeps a close eye on Benjamin.

Bouab’s Resume: Larbi in Days of Glory (2006), Waleed in Homeland (2015), Hicham Janowski in Call My Agent! (2017-20), Qamar Maloof in Messiah (2020), Gabriel in Bad Sisters (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Masters of the Air’

Franklin Cast: Théodore Pellerin as Marquis de Lafayette

Character Profile: A French aristocrat. He wants to do something that matters for his country. Marquis de Lafayette pleads with Benjamin to help him learn from American revolutionaries in the United States.

Pellerin’s Resume: Xavier in Boy Erased (2018), Liam in The OA (2019), Cody Bonar in On Becoming a God in Central Florida (2019), Jasper in Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020), Beau’s Son in Beau Is Afraid (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’

Franklin Cast: Jeanne Balibar as Madame Helvetius

Character Profile: A French salon hostess. She organizes meetings with influential figures. Madame Helvetius helps Benjamin spread his influence.

Balibar’s Resume: Valérie in My Sex Life… or How I Got Into an Argument (1996), Brigitte/Barbara in Barbara (2017), Juliette in Cold War (2018), Commissaire in Les Misérables (2019), Zoe in Irma Vep (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Buccaneers’

Franklin Cast: Eddie Marsan as John Adams

Character Profile: An American politician. He arrives in France to replace Benjamin during episode four.

Marsan’s Resume: Reverend John in 21 Grams (2003), Scott in Happy-Go-Lucky (2008), Vic in The Disappearance of Alice Creed (2009), Terry Donovan in Ray Donovan (2013-20), Mitch Winehouse in Back to Black (2024)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Lessons in Chemistry’

The Franklin cast also includes:

• Tom Hughes as Paul Wentworth
• Olivier Claverie as Mr. Chaumont
• Marc Duret as Monsieur Brillon
• Xavier Brossard as Gérard
• Lily Dupont as Cunégonde Brillon
• Arthur Orcier as Comte de Ségur
• Aïtor de Calvairac as Jacques le Ray
• Florence Darel as Madame Thérése Chaumont
• Murat Subasi as Ayaz
• Victor Lafrej as Viscomte de Noailles
• Olivier Rabourdin as Jean-Charles Pierre Lenoir
• John Hollingworth as Viscomte de Stormont
• Romain Levi as Rabble Rouser
• Max Libert as Artois
• Jack Archer as Thomas Grenville

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.