Turn: Washington's Spies

TURN: Washington's Spies
The new title for the series, which shows the words "TURN: Washington's Spies" (with a backwards "n") in black text on a white background.
Genre Historical drama
Created by Craig Silverstein
Based on Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring (2007) by
Alexander Rose
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 2
No. of episodes 20 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s) Larry Rapaport
Mitchell Amstrad
Henry Bronchtein
Editor(s) Andrew Seklir
Harry B. Miller III
David Lebowitz
Location(s) Virginia
Cinematography Lol Crawley
Marvin V. Rush
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 (2014-04-06) – 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 ten-episode season on June 23, 2014,[6] which premiered on April 13, 2015.[7]

The series was renewed for a third ten-episode season on July 15, 2015, to premiere on April 25, 2016.[8][9]

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 recaptured Long Island, Staten Island, and New York City for the Crown and left General George Washington's army in dire straits.

According to the first episode's introductory card titles: "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 ten years his senior, and long married to one of his own relations.

Cast

Recurring cast

Episodes

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 10 April 6, 2014 (2014-04-06) June 8, 2014 (2014-06-08)
2 10 April 13, 2015 (2015-04-13) June 8, 2015 (2015-06-08)
3 10 April 25, 2016 (2016-04-25)[11] TBA

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.

Other media

AMC released a digital comic titled TURN: Origins on March 26, 2014. It 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.[4] The comic was illustrated by award-winning comics artist Steve Ellis.

The first chapter of a second digital comic, titled Rivals, was released on April 10, 2015. It portrays the past rivalry of George Washington and Robert Rogers. The second chapter was released on April 15, 2015.[18][19]

References

  1. ↑ "AMC Revolutionary War Drama 'Turn: Washington's Spies' Begins Production on Season Two in Colonial Williamsburg". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Turn: Washington's Spies". AMC. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (July 26, 2014). "TCA: AMC Picks Up ‘Halt & Catch Fire’ & ‘Turn’ To Series". Deadline. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  4. 1 2 Dayton, Lee (March 26, 2014). "TURN: Origins Comic Now Online". AMC. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  5. ↑ 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.
  6. ↑ O'Connell, Michael (June 23, 2014). "AMC Renews 'Turn' for a Second Season". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 24, 2014.
  7. ↑ Kissell, Rick (February 23, 2015). "AMC Expanding Monday Push, Sets Season 2 of ‘Turn’ For Night". Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  8. ↑ Stanhope, Kate (July 15, 2015). "AMC Renews 'Turn' for Third Season". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
  9. ↑ AMC (January 8, 2016). "First-Look Photo and Premiere Date Released for TURN: Washington’s Spies Season 3". AMC. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  10. ↑ "AMC Revolutionary War Drama ‘Turn: Washington’s Spies’ Begins Production on Season Two in Colonial Williamsburg - Ratings - TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". TVbytheNumbers.
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ "Turn: Season 1 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Turn: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Turn: Season 2 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Turn: Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ "TURN 2014 DAR Media & Entertainment Award Ceremony". AMC. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Turn: Washington's Spies - The Complete First Season Blu-ray". January 14, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  18. ↑ Bell, Shavonne (April 10, 2015). "10 Ways to Get Ready for the TURN: Washington’s Spies Season 2 Premiere". AMC. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  19. ↑ AMC (April 10, 2015). Rivals (Online comic book ed.).

External links

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