Franklin Armstrong: Iconic Black Character Gets His First-Ever Special in 2024

In the entertainment business, cartoon characters are treated as real celebrities and public figures with full careers and accolades to match.

It's 51 been years since Peanuts character, Franklin Armstrong, appeared alongside the gang in, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

Franklin Armstrong

The Thanksgiving special has become a holiday staple for generations. However, one scene has stirred controversy. In recent years, viewers have pointed out how, Franklin, the only Black character, is treated during the big feast.

At dinner, Franklin, is seated by himself on the opposite side of the table, seemingly "segregated" from the other kids. For those viewers who feel uncomfortable with how the scene is depicted, it can feel anything but accidental. But the decision to sit Franklin by himself is said NOT to have been racially motivated.

Franklin in A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving 

Although, according to Darnell Hunt, dean of social sciences and professor of sociology and African American studies at UCLA, told Yahoo Life in November 2020: "Having [Franklin] on this long side by himself, you could interpret it that no one wanted to sit next to him."

Hunt's thoughts on Franklin's visual exclusion at Charlie Brown's Friendsgiving feast have been echoed by countless others on social media, who feel that the sole Black character in Peanuts' solitude during the celebration was animated intentionally and done so with malice.

Franklin slumped in his lawn chair

In the holiday special, Franklin arrives at Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving celebration along with Peppermint Patty and Marcie. The girls walk into the house, while Franklin gives Charlie a little dap on his way in. Charlie and Linus pull out dining chairs for Patty and Marcie at the table, leaving Franklin to sit by himself on the opposite side in a lawn/beach chair.

You can draw your own conclusion about Franklin's simultaneous inclusion and isolation at the seasonal gathering by watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.

Yet, with time all wounds heal. Franklin, fans and animators alike may finally get their much needed full circle/full closure moment.

Franklin in Welcome Home, Franklin

Thanks to Apple TV+ Franklin is set to make history again as he did when he first arrived on the scene in 1968. Franklin's first-ever animated special, Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin, will premiere on Friday February 16, 2024.

An origin story ALL ABOUT FRANKLIN.

The special will be produced by Peanuts and WildBrain while being directed by Emmy Award winner Raymond S. Persi (The Simpsons - “The Seemingly Never-Ending Story” - Season 17; Episode 13). Executive producers will be the legendary Schulz son and grandson Craig Schulz and Bryan Schulz along with others.

Let's keep our fingers crossed for at least an Annie Nomination in recognition.