Franklin is a gripping Arabic-language crime thriller that dives deep into themes of desperation, redemption, and the high price of second chances. At its core, the series revolves around Adam, portrayed with brooding intensity by Mohammed Al Ahmad, a devout and solitary father whose meticulous talent in the illicit art of counterfeiting money drags him back into the underworld he tried so hard to leave behind. The driving force behind this reluctant return isn’t greed or power, but love: Adam’s daughter is gravely ill, and saving her becomes his singular, all-consuming mission.
To fund her medical treatment, Adam is forced into an uneasy alliance with his former lover Yulia, played by Daniella Rahme, a woman equally haunted by her past. The two embark on a high-risk operation to produce a flawless counterfeit of the $100 bill, no easy feat, and one that places them in the crosshairs of ruthless criminals and relentless law enforcement. Yulia, seeking not only escape from her past but also a clean slate, mirrors Adam’s desperation in her own way. Their shared history, riddled with pain and unfinished emotions, creates a volatile chemistry that permeates every interaction.
The emotional and psychological tension between Adam and Yulia is a central force in the series. While Adam is driven by paternal devotion, Yulia is motivated by a deep longing for freedom and renewal. As they struggle to align their motives and trust one another, they are relentlessly pursued by a dogged detective determined to bring them down. This character brings a cerebral intensity to the series, sparking a tense game of strategy and survival between hunter and hunted.
Time is not on their side. As the deadline for completing the perfect counterfeit draws near, the duo must stay a step ahead of law enforcement and rival criminals who would kill to control their secret. The show ratchets up the suspense with every episode, maintaining a taut narrative pace while delving into the psychological toll this operation takes on both leads.
Franklin leans into classic genre conventions, the “one last job,” the ex-lovers forced to team up, and the child in peril, but refreshes them with layered characters and emotional stakes that feel authentic and deeply personal. Adam and Yulia aren’t just archetypes; they’re wounded souls trying to survive in a world that offers no forgiveness. Their evolving dynamic, rooted in past betrayals and flickering hopes, adds richness to the otherwise stark, high-stakes atmosphere of the criminal world they navigate.
The series succeeds in blending emotional depth with taut suspense, offering viewers more than just action or intrigue. It is a story of moral ambiguity, love tested by circumstance, and the haunting weight of past decisions. With strong performances, tight direction, and a plot that never lets up, Franklin is a standout addition to the modern crime drama landscape, one that asks not just whether its characters can survive, but whether they can truly change.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times