Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Diplomatic Douglas: American history headlines in ‘Franklin’
WHAT’S NEW ON APPLE TV+ “Franklin”
Based on the book “A Great Improvisation: Franklin, France, and the Birth of America,” by Pulitzer Prize winner Stacy Schiff, the eight-episode historical drama series “Franklin” premieres Friday, April 12, on Apple TV+. The series sends viewers on a thrilling adventure spanning nations as, in 1776, world-famous inventor Benjamin Franklin, portrayed by Oscar winner Michael Douglas (“The Kominsky Method”), “embarks on a secret mission to France with the fate of American independence hanging in the balance” (per Apple TV+). With absolutely no experience or training as a diplomat, Franklin undertook a perilous duty for his country when he traveled to France to use his fame, charisma and famously outstanding brains to win France’s favor and support for America’s experiment in democracy. On an eight-year journey, “Franklin [outmaneuvers] British spies, French informers and hostile colleagues to engineer the Franco-American Alliance of 1778 and the peace treaty with Great Britain in 1783,” enabling America to successfully win the revolution (Apple TV+). Written by Kirk Ellis (“John Adams”) and Howard Horder (“Boardwalk Empire”), “Franklin” is directed by Timothy Van Patten (“The Sopranos”). The series also stars Noah Jupe (“A Quiet Place,” 2018), Thibault de Montalembert (“Call My Agent!”), Daniel Mays (“Good Omens”), Ludivine Sagnier (“Lupin”), Eddie Marsan (“Ray Donovan”), Assaad Bouab (“Call My Agent!”), Jeanne Balibar (“Irma Vep”), Théodore Pellerin (“On Becoming a God in Central Florida”) and Marc Duret (“Outlander”).
WHAT’S NEW ON HULU “The Greatest Hits” (2024)
Experience the beauty of life through music and nostalgia with the new romantic comedy “The Greatest Hits,” premiering Friday, April 12, on Hulu. Music can often transport us to a different time and place, but for Harriet (Lucy Boynton, “The Politician”), life begins imitating art when she discovers that certain songs can transport her back in time — literally. Reliving romantic memories from her time with her former boyfriend (David Corenswet, “We Own This City”), her trips to the past begin to collide with her new love interest (Justin H. Min, “Beef ”) in the present. On an emotional journey through music and time, Harriet begins to wonder: “Even if she could change the past, should she?” (per Hulu). Directed and written by Ned Benson (“Black Widow,” 2021), “The Greatest Hits” is produced by Benson, Michael London (“Snowfall”), Shannon Gaulding (“Alice & Jack), Stephanie Davis (“Bored to Death”) and Cassandra Kulukundis (“A Late Quartet,” 2012). The cast is rounded out by Retta (“Parks and Recreation”), Andie Ju (“Beef ”), Rory Keane (“Oppenheimer,” 2023), Jackson Kelly (“Lucky Hank”) and Austin Crute (“Daybreak”).
“Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise” Season 1
Sparks fly in the tropics in the brand-new “docusoap” from Freeform, “Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise,” when it makes its Hulu premiere Wednesday, April 10. Taking the drama to paradise, the series follows a group of uber-rich locals and expats as they navigate their relationships, friendships and careers, all while living in Grand Cayman. Set to be “sexy and sizzling with secrets” (per Freeform), the series stars Elizabeth Chambers (“Cupcake Wars”), Selita Ebanks (“The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars”), Courtney McTaggart, Craig Jervis, Julian Foster, Aaron Bernardo (“Safe Skies, Archer”), Cass Lacelle, Victoria Jurkowski, Chelsea Flynn (“The Baker,” 2022), Teri Bilewitch (“The Baker,” 2022), Trevor Coleman (“Daniel’s Gotta Die,” 2022), Dillon Claassens and Connor Bunney. Produced by Chambers and Ebanks, “Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise” is executive produced by Aaron Rothman (“Mama’s Boys of the Bronx”), Josh Halpert (“Southern Charm”), Jessica Chesler (“Rocco’s Dinner Party”), Jesse Light (“Southern Hospitality”), Sean Rankine (“The Challenge”), Mark Seliga (“Project Runway”), Johnny Fountain (“Mind Field”) and Camilo Valdes (“RuPaul’s Drag Race”).
WHAT’S NEW ON PARMOUNT+ “Dora” - Season 1
Come on, vamanos! Gather up your friends and hit the road for some new adventures when the hit children’s series “Dora,” from Nickelodeon Animation, premieres Friday, April 12, on Paramount+. Featuring new, CG-animated versions of everyone’s favorite bilingual explorer, the series sees Dora (voiced by Diana Zermeno, “Dora and the Fantastical Creatures,” 2023) and her best friend, Boots (Asher Colton Spence, “Five Nights at Freddy’s,” 2023), take on new adventures with Dora’s trusty Map (Anairis Quinones, “Rainbow High”) and Backpack (Katarina Sky, “Love XO”) to help them along their way. Using their problem-solving skills and new words in both English and Spanish, Dora and her friends learn to take on any obstacle that comes their way — including when they’re challenged by the nefariously sneaky fox, Swiper (Marc Weiner, “Dora the Explorer”). Kathleen Herles, the original voice of Dora in “Dora the Explorer,” returns to the new series as Mami. The rest of the voice cast is rounded out by Mike Smith Rivera (“Only Murders in the Building”) as Papi; Maria CanalsBarrera (“Wizards of Waverly Place”) as Abuela; Danny Burstein (“Julia”) as Grumpy Old Troll and The Fiesta Trio’s Frog and Marmoset; Donovan MonzonSanders (“Rise Up, Sing Out”) as Tico; Tandi Fomukong (“Abbott Elementary”) as Isa; Quintun Munoz (“Would It Kill You to Laugh?”) as Benny; and Chris Gifford (“Dora the Explorer”) as Big Red Chicken.
WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX “Heartbreak High” - Season 2
Take on all the drama from down under when Season 2 of the Australian teen drama “Heartbreak High” premieres Thursday, April 11, on Netflix. A reboot of the original Network 10 series of the same name from the 1990s, this fresh look at the school from creators Hannah Carroll Chapman (“The Heights”), Ben Gannon (“Wildside”) and Michael Jenkins (“The Heartbreak Kid,” 1993) continues to follow the students of Hartley High as they navigate life’s many ups and downs. In Season 2, says Netflix, “All our heroes are back for Term 2 at the ‘lowest ranking school in the district.’ But fresh hotties, a new sports teacher and a mystery assailant throw any hopes for a peaceful term into disarray, while the race for school captain is seeing dirty tactics run rife through Hartley High.” Starring in the show are Ayesha Madon (“The Moth Effect”), Chloe Hayden (“Jeremy the Dud,” 2017), James Majoos (“Single,” 2022), Asher Yasbincek (“Rams,” 2020), Thomas Weatherall (“Troppo”), Will McDonald (“The School,” 2018), Josh Heuston (“Thor: Love and Thunder,” 2022), Gemma Chua-Tran (“Mustangs FC”), Bryn Chapman Parish (“Mr. Inbetween”), Chika Ikogwe (“The Moth Effect”), Maggie Dence (“Frayed”), Paul Caesar (“Cross Life,” 2007), Brodie Townsend (“Significant Others”) and new talent Sherry-Lee Watson.