Al Franken, well-known for his comedic performances on the iconic late-night sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live” prior to his service as a Senator representing Minnesota, is blending his past and current endeavors by taking on the role of a senator in an upcoming Netflix series.
Despite being born in New York City, Franken relocated to Minnesota with his family at the age of four. He pursued higher education at Harvard University, where he earned a degree in political science. Joining the inaugural team of writers for SNL in its debut season in 1975, he remained with the show for five years. After a hiatus of five years, he reappeared in 1985 and stayed with the show for another decade. Following his departure from SNL in 1995, he delved into writing movies and books, with several achieving recognition on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In 2008, he declared his bid for the Senatorial seat representing Minnesota. Securing victory by a margin of fewer than 500 votes, Franken served in the Senate for close to ten years. However, amidst the surge of the “Me Too” movement, numerous allegations of misconduct emerged, prompting his resignation in 2017.
Franken’s upcoming role will be in a series titled “The Residence,” adapted from Kate Anderson Brower’s 2015 book of the same title. Produced by Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers, the show is characterized as a comedic mystery set during a problematic state dinner. Although filming commenced in January of the current year, it’s improbable that the series will debut before 2025.
Franken joins the cast alongside Uzo Aduba, known for her role as Suzanne “Crazy Eyes” Warren in the Netflix series “Orange is the New Black,” portraying a police detective. Additionally, Giancarlo Esposito, renowned for his portrayal of crime lord Gus Fring in the AMC series “Breaking Bad,” will take on the role of the White House’s chief usher, succeeding Andrew Braugher from “Brooklyn 99,” who passed away from lung cancer in December 2023.
