Patience pays off: Opportunity to portray John Adams returns to Eddie Marsan

May 24—Eddie Marsan knows that there's a time and a place for everything.

The English actor is currently starring as John Adams in the Apple TV+ series.

It's a role that came full circle — 15 years later.

Marsan was drawn to the role in "Franklin" because of Santa Fe-based writer Kirk Ellis.

"I was going to work with Kirk about 15 years ago when he did the series about John Adams," Marsan says. "I signed the contract to play John Adams and a conflict arose. Paul Giamatti ended up playing the role and was brilliant and won an Emmy. Who would have known that 15 years later, Kirk would send me an email and ask me to play John Adams."

Marsan was also able to work under the direction of Tim Van Patten and alongside Michael Douglas.

"Oh, we got to spend six months in Paris and it was a brilliant script," Marsan says. "I love American history and I find it fascinating that its story is ongoing as it is finding what it's trying to become. It's a nation of immigration and it's fascinating."

Douglas stars as Benjamin Franklin, Noah Jupe as Temple Franklin, Thibault de Montalembert as Comte de Vergennes, Daniel Mays as Edward Bancroft, Ludivine Sagnier as Madame Brillon, Eddie Marsan as John Adams, Assaad Bouab as Beaumarchais, Jeanne Balibar as Madame Helvetius and Théodore Pellerin as Marquis de Lafayette.

Producer Tony Krantz optioned Stacy Schiff's book "A Great Improvisation: Benjamin Franklin, France, And The Birth of America."

Ellis and Howard Korder were excited to take on the challenge of adapting Schiff's work.

The series tells the story of when Benjamin Franklin arrives in France in December 1776.

At this point in history, Franklin is the most famous American in the world, celebrated and fawned over for his electrical experiments.

But a different kind of lightning strikes when it appears that he has arrived to solicit monies and munitions for the colonies in revolt.

Stepping into the shoes of Adams, Marsan says it was a great challenge.

"John Adams is a juxtaposition to Franklin," he says. "John Adams really goes for Franklin. I love the fact that he can't stand Franklin. Franklin can seduce the French, but he can't seduce Adams. He is the personification of the puritanical aspect of the American psyche. He and Franklin detest each other. Despite their feelings, they get the job done."

In portraying Adams, Marsan did take away many lessons.

"I learned that to have integrity is to have morality and having a sense of the right and wrong," he says. "It's only part of how we should be. I think John Adams has a lot to learn from Franklin."

Marsan also enjoyed having conversations on set with Ellis.

"He's a brilliant writer and we would sit and have discussions about American history and American politics," he says. "It was one of the joys of the job. We would sit in between takes. I'm quite a bit of a geek when it comes to history."

Marsan says the role in "Franklin" challenged him — which is a good thing.

"I try to diversify my point of reference,' he says. "I want to be able to disappear into a role. My experience is a great lesson for young actors. You never know when something is going to happen and just don't give up. I had the role of John Adams about 15 years ago and it's come back to me in a different way. Just have faith and it will work out."

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.