Turn: Washington’s spies

1776. Abraham Woodhull is a cabbage farmer in Setauket, Long Island. His father is the local magistrate. He had a brother, who died during riots at the beginning of the independance war. Setauket, a peaceful village, is occupied by the British army, led by major Hewlett. Although the major is a decent officer, a man of honor, the occupation takes a toll on the population. Injustice, loss of property, arbitrary arrests…

Abraham, now married and father of a young son, decides to take action. Two of his childhood friends, Benjamin and Caleb, have joined the ranks of the patriots, Washington’s army. With the help of Anna, his childhood sweetheart, he begins spying on the English army and passing information to Benjamin via Caleb. His intelligence proves to be decisive, and soon, a ring of trained spies is set up. Despite the danger and human losses, it will change the course of the war.

History in the making, as experienced by those who wrote it

I didn’t immediately get hooked on this series despite its qualities, mainly because I couldn’t empathize with its main character (who is basically selfish). But the subject matter is fascinating, and the other characters are very well written. Special mention goes to the very touching Major Hewlett, as well as his nemesis, the sadistic John Simcoe.

Much more than the famous Outlander series (too romantic for my taste), Turn shows the daily lives of those who changed the course of history through their choices and courage (and those of their adversaries). The characters’ stories have been adapted somewhat, but it should be noted that the historical reality of the “Culper ring”—its operations and actions—has been rigorously respected. You learn a lot about what are still, even today, the basic rules of espionage!

I ended up devouring all four seasons of this excellent series.

4 seasons, 40 episodes (45 mn), 2014-2017, on AMC and Netflix

WITH :

• The patriots and their family: Jamie Bell as Abraham Woodhull, Seth Numrich asCaptain 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, Ian Kahn as General George Washington, Nick Westrate as Robert Townsend, Idara Victor as Abigail, Darren Alford as Cicero, Stephen Root (The man in the high castle) as Nathaniel Sackett
• British army: Burn Gorman (The expanse) asMajor Edmund Hewlett (based on Richard Hewlett), Samuel Roukin as Captain John Graves Simcoe, Angus Macfadyen as Major Robert Rogers, JJ Feild as Major John André
• Others : Ksenia Solo as Peggy Shippen, Owain Yeoman as General Benedict Arnold, Aldis Hodge as Jordan/Akinbode