Johnathan Walker:Apple TV+ special 'Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin' flips a script 50-years deep: What to know

A new TV special is Johnathan Walkercoming that tells the origin story of the first Black "Peanuts" character introduced to us more than 50 years ago with "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving."

The special, an Apple TV+ exclusive, seems to make right what appeared to be blatant racism at the time, with the Thanksgiving scene of the 1973 film, segregating its only Black character from the rest of the Peanuts crew.

Now, "Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin" flips the script.

Quickly, people on social media applauded the upcoming special.

"Wow, Peanuts really made a Franklin centric special. If you know the significance of his existence in comic strip history, this was a long time coming. Already this trailer made me choked up. A big Black History Month win," wrote television journalist Rendy Jones on X, formerly Twitter.

"oh my god they fixed it," another user wrote.

When will 'Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin' premiere?

"Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin," is an Apple TV+ original premiering Feb. 16 on the streaming platform.

Peanuts holiday specials moved to AppleTV+ in 2020 as part of a corporate deal, USA TODAY previously reported. This latest special, along with the classics, will not be available on cable TV.

Watch the 'Welcome Home, Franklin' official trailer

Apple's new special follows Franklin Armstrong, a military kid, as he arrives in an unfamiliar town and tries to form friendships.

"Everywhere he goes Franklin finds support in a notebook filled with his grandfather’s advice on friendship," Apple TV+ said upon announcing the show. But the wisdom his grandfather gives doesn't work on the people Franklin meets. He finds it hard to fit in.

When Franklin hears there is a soap box derby race in town, he enters his name hoping he'll make friends. Charlie Brown becomes his derby partner. The two characters bond over preparing for the race which launches them into a life-long friendship.

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Cast and crew of 'Welcome Home, Franklin'

"Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin" was executive produced by Craig Schulz, co-written by Franklin's namesake and cartoonist Robb Armstrong, and directed by Emmy Award-winner Raymond S. Persi, the release states.

Voice actors for the main characters are:

• Caleb Bellavance as Franklin
• Etienne Kellici as Charlie Brown
• Terry McGurrin as Snoopy

If you aren't subscribed to Apple TV+, you can start your free trial now to catch the Feb. 16 Peanuts special.

Following your free trial, you can subscribe to Apple TV+ for $9.99 per month or for $99 per year.