Turn: Washington's Spies
TURN: Washington's Spies | |
---|---|
Genre | Historical drama |
Based on |
Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring (2007) by Alexander Rose |
Developed by | Craig Silverstein |
Starring |
|
Opening theme | "Hush" performed by Joy Williams, Matt Berninger, and Charlie Peacock |
Composer(s) |
Marco Beltrami Brandon Roberts |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 3 |
No. of episodes | 30 (list of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
Larry Rapaport Mitchell Amstrad Henry Bronchtein Lotoya Morgan |
Location(s) | Richmond, Virginia, Williamsburg, Virginia |
Cinematography |
Lol Crawley(pilot) Marvin V. Rush Scott Peck |
Editor(s) |
Andrew Seklir Harry B. Miller III David Lebowitz Ian E. Silverstein |
Running time |
42–47 minutes 64 minutes ("Pilot") |
Production company(s) |
AMC Studios Sesfonstein Productions Josephson Entertainment |
Release | |
Original network | AMC |
Original release | April 6, 2014 – present |
External links | |
Website |
TURN: Washington's Spies (formerly known as TURN and stylized as TURИ and TURИ: Washington's Spies) is a period drama based on Alexander Rose’s book Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring (2007),[3] a history of the Culper Ring.[4] The series debuted on AMC on April 6, 2014.[5]
TURN: Washington's Spies was renewed for a second 10-episode season on June 23, 2014,[6] which premiered on April 13, 2015,[7] and for a third 10-episode season on July 15, 2015, which premiered on April 25, 2016.[8][9] On July 26, 2016, Turn: Washington's Spies was renewed for a fourth and final 10-episode season, which will premiere in 2017.[10]
Plot
In 1776 and 1777, a Setauket, New York farmer and his childhood friends form an unlikely group of spies, called the Culper Ring, which eventually helps to turn the tide during the American Revolutionary War.[3] The series begins in October 1776, shortly after British victories recapture Long Island, Staten Island, and New York City for the Crown and leave General George Washington's army in dire straits.
The first episode's introductory card titles read: "Autumn 1776. Insurgents have declared war against the Crown. Following a successful naval landing, His Majesty's Army has forced Washington's rebels into the wilderness. New York City serves as military base of operations for the British. The Loyalists of nearby Long Island keep vigilant watch out for sympathizers, and spies."
The show takes considerable liberties with the biographies and activities of the historical personalities. For example, Abraham Woodhull is portrayed as having broken an engagement to Anna Strong, in order to wed his brother's betrothed and by so doing, satisfy his father, a staunch Loyalist. This plot device is also driven by the fictional claim that the younger Woodhull had felt responsible for the death of his elder brother (a member of the Loyalist militia), due to Abraham's involvement in the Liberty Pole riots. The show portrays Woodhull and Strong as carrying on an adulterous affair during their involvement in the Spy Ring. In truth, Abraham Woodhull was unmarried during the war years, and there is no evidence that any romantic connection ever existed between him and his fellow spy Anna Strong, who was 10 years his senior and long married to one of his relatives.
Cast
Main cast
- Jamie Bell as Abraham Woodhull
- Seth Numrich as Major Benjamin Tallmadge
- Daniel Henshall as Lieutenant Caleb Brewster
- Heather Lind as Anna Strong
- Meegan Warner as Mary Woodhull
- Kevin R. McNally as Judge Richard Woodhull
- Burn Gorman as Major Edmund Hewlett
- Angus Macfadyen as Major Robert Rogers
- Samuel Roukin as Captain John Graves Simcoe
- JJ Feild as Major John André (seasons 1–3)
- Ian Kahn as General George Washington (recurring season 1, main seasons 2–3)[11]
- Owain Yeoman as General Benedict Arnold (seasons 2–3)[2]
- Ksenia Solo as Peggy Shippen (seasons 2–3)[2]
- Nick Westrate as Robert Townsend (recurring season 2, main season 3)[2]
Recurring cast
- Idara Victor as Abigail
- Darren Alford as Cicero
- Andrew McKeough as John Carter
- John Carroll Lynch as James Rivington (season 3)
- John Billingsley as Samuel Townsend (seasons 2–3)
- Amy Gumenick as Philomena Cheer (season 1, season 3)
- Jamie Harris as John Robeson (seasons 1–3)
- Stuart Greer as Officer Yates (season 2)
- Stephen Root as Nathaniel Sackett (seasons 1–2)
- Aldis Hodge as Jordan/Akinbode (seasons 1–2)
- Taylor Roberts as Rachel Clark (seasons 1–2)
- Brian T. Finney as General Charles Lee (seasons 1–2)
- Alex Miller as Colonel Joseph Reed (seasons 1–2)
- Michael Gaston as General Charles Scott (season 1)
- Robert Beitzel as Selah Strong (season 1)
- Thomas Keegan as Ensign Baker (season 1)
- Brian Wiles as Marquis de Lafayette (seasons 2-3)
Episodes
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | ||||
1 | 10 | April 6, 2014 | June 8, 2014 | ||
2 | 10 | April 13, 2015 | June 8, 2015 | ||
3 | 10 | April 25, 2016 | June 27, 2016 |
Reception
Season 1
The first season of Turn: Washington's Spies received mixed reviews. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes rated the season 52%, based on 33 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10. The site's consensus reads, "Turn's uneven treatment of the American Revolution is more frustrating than exciting and memorable."[12] On Metacritic, the first season scored 61 out of 100, based on 29 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[13]
Season 2
The second season received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has a rating of 80%, based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10.[14] On Metacritic, the season has a score of 68 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[15]
Awards and nominations
The first season of TURN: Washington's Spies was awarded the 2014 Media & Entertainment Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution.[16]
Home media
The first season of TURN: Washington's Spies was released on DVD and Blu-ray on March 17, 2015.[17] It became available on Netflix on March 25, 2015. The second season was released on DVD on March 22, 2016.[18] It became available on Netflix on April 11, 2016. The third season will be released on DVD on November 8, 2016.[19]
Comics
On March 26, 2014, AMC released the digital comic TURN: Origins, illustrated by award-winning comics artist Steve Ellis, that portrays childhood and adulthood events from the lives of several of the series' main characters, including Abraham Woodhull, Benjamin Tallmadge, Anna Strong, and Caleb Brewster.[20][21]
On April 10, 2015 and April 15, 2015, AMC released the first and second chapters, respectively, of a second digital comic, TURN: Rivals, that portrays the past rivalry of George Washington and Robert Rogers.[22][23]
References
- ↑ "AMC Revolutionary War Drama 'Turn: Washington's Spies' Begins Production on Season Two in Colonial Williamsburg". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Turn: Washington's Spies". AMC. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (July 26, 2014). "TCA: AMC Picks Up 'Halt & Catch Fire' & 'Turn' To Series". Deadline. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
- ↑ Dayton, Lee (March 26, 2014). "TURN: Origins Comic Now Online". AMC. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
- ↑ Bibel, Sara (January 11, 2014). "AMC Announces Premiere Dates for Final Season of 'Mad Men', 'Better Call Saul', 'Turn' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved January 11, 2014.
- ↑ O'Connell, Michael (June 23, 2014). "AMC Renews 'Turn' for a Second Season". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
- ↑ Kissell, Rick (February 23, 2015). "AMC Expanding Monday Push, Sets Season 2 of 'Turn' For Night". Retrieved February 23, 2015.
- ↑ Stanhope, Kate (July 15, 2015). "AMC Renews 'Turn' for Third Season". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
- ↑ AMC (January 8, 2016). "First-Look Photo and Premiere Date Released for TURN: Washington's Spies Season 3". AMC. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
- ↑ AMC (July 26, 2016). "TURN: Washington's Spies Renewed for Season 4". AMC. Retrieved July 26, 2016.
- ↑ "AMC Revolutionary War Drama 'Turn: Washington's Spies' Begins Production on Season Two in Colonial Williamsburg - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers.
- ↑ "Turn: Season 1 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
- ↑ "Turn: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
- ↑ "Turn: Season 2 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ↑ "Turn: Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ↑ "TURN 2014 DAR Media & Entertainment Award Ceremony". AMC. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
- ↑ "Turn: Washington's Spies - The Complete First Season Blu-ray". January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
- ↑ "TURN: Washington's Spies DVD Release Date". DVDs Release Dates. Retrieved 2016-03-16.
- ↑ "Turn: Washington's Spies: The Complete Third Season DVD". September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
- ↑ Lee, Dayton (March 26, 2014). "TURN: Origins Comic Now Online". AMC-TV.
- ↑ Steve Ellis (illustrator) (March 26, 2014). TURN: Origins.
- ↑ Bell, Shavonne (April 10, 2015). "10 Ways to Get Ready for the TURN: Washington's Spies Season 2 Premiere". AMC-TV. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
- ↑ Neuman, Clayton (Producer) & Morgan, LaToya (Writer) & Hunt, Chris (Colors & Pencils & Ink) & Colden, Kevin (Inks & Letters) & Plummer, Shay (Colors) & Lindemann, Karl (Development) (April 10, 2015). Rivals (Online comic book ed.). Retrieved April 13, 2015.
External links
- Official website at AMCTV.com
- Comics series:
- Steve Ellis (illustrator) (March 26, 2014). TURN: Origins.
- Neuman, Clayton (Producer) & Morgan, LaToya (Writer) & Hunt, Chris (Colors & Pencils & Ink) & Colden, Kevin (Inks & Letters) & Plummer, Shay (Colors) & Lindemann, Karl (Development) (April 2015). TURN: Rivals (Online comic book ed.). Retrieved April 13, 2015.
- TURN: Washington's Spies at the Internet Movie Database
- Turn: Washington's Spies at TV Guide