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Season 1 – TURN: Washington's Spies

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – TURN: Washington's Spies Apr 2014 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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54% Tomatometer 39 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
After scoring a hit with a series set in the 1960s, AMC travels much further back in time for "TURN: Washington's Spies," a Revolutionary War-era drama based on the same-named Alexander Rose novel. The series goes beyond the battlefront to a conflict involving everyday men and women, taking place in a cryptic world of double agents, covert operations and code-breaking. It revolves around Abe Woodhull, a young farmer torn between loyalty to his Tory background and respect for those who fight for the Patriot cause. Living on British-occupied Long Island, Abe joins a group of his childhood friends to form what becomes known as the Culper Ring, a spy network charged with sniffing out British military strategy. Under the direction of Gen. Washington, Abe and his fellow agents help turn the war to the Continentals' favor, and their daring efforts ultimately serve as the foundation for modern espionage.
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TURN: Washington's Spies — Season 1

TURN: Washington's Spies — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Turn's uneven treatment of the American Revolution is more frustrating than exciting and memorable.

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Critics Reviews

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John Anderson Wall Street Journal Dec 7, 2018
Without getting too sappy about it, Turn puts flesh on a seminal chapter of U.S. history that has largely been left to Gilbert Stuart and James Fenimore Cooper. Go to Full Review Chuck Barney San Jose Mercury News Dec 7, 2018
2.5/4
Just good enough to make you wish it were better. The story piques your curiosity, but it takes too long to gain traction. The characters are certainly functional, but they lack compelling quirks. The subject matter is worthy, but it just doesn't crackle. Go to Full Review Alessandra Stanley New York Times Dec 7, 2018
Turn doesn't dumb down history for the audience. Instead, it gives life to some of the messier parts of a period that is too often starched and oversimplified by schoolbooks and politicians. Go to Full Review Meghan O'Keefe Decider Dec 7, 2018
While TURN: Washington's Spies does a great job with capturing the spirit of the time period, I still found myself struggling to fully connect with the characters. Go to Full Review Ellen Gray Philadelphia Daily News Dec 7, 2018
The true strength of Turn, though, isn't in any awkward, abortive romance but in the pictures it paints of real people under pressure, sometimes doing the wrong things for the right reasons and having no way of knowing how it would all turn out. Go to Full Review Kristi Turnquist Oregonian Dec 7, 2018
Though its pilot is on the plodding side, with its promising material and striking setting, I'm rooting for Turn to take a turn for the better. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Egg H @Eggberto Aug 18, 2026 Probably the best TV series that I have ever watched. I went in with low expectations but, along with my two middle school aged sons, I got totally hooked. We hated that it finished and promised to rewatch after another two years. It includes many actual Revolutionary War characters in a fun, fast paced spy/thriller/drama series. It very well balances entertainment with serious matters. 10/10! P.S. It's also not woke or preachy. See more Judy F @Judy888 Jan 8, 2026 Great acting, strong characters, loyal friends, courage, politics and the well acted hated Simcoe. Although it was an accurate representation of the US fighting for independence from England, not all of the players or events were clear unless you had a good understanding of the history. My husband had to explain which groups were on which side. Watched all 4 seasons and think they got better, maybe because the different sides became clearer to me See more RaiderRo D @RT78501666 Mar 21, 2024 Season 1 is great. Starts picking up towards the end, but a brilliant first season. See more May 25, 2021 Not sure why this season has a lower rating than the others seasons. See more Apr 12, 2021 A.MAZING. I never would have imagined how a film series could trigger in me such an intense interest and respect of that historical time. Brilliant. Also, the incredibly well written and strong female characters were what got me ..and kept me. Loved every minute of it!! See more Jan 30, 2021 I had no expectations of liking this show at all, as I'm not really that into the subject matter, but I soon found out this show is very well done. I'm through season 2 and it's held up very well. I'm not sure why the critics decided to give this a 54%, but I promise you that is underrated. See more Read all reviews
TURN: Washington's Spies — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Oliver Hirschbiegel

Director

Jeremy Webb

Director

Eagle Egilsson

Director

Nick Copus

Director

Michael Uppendahl

Director

Rupert Wyatt

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Apr 6, 2014 Pilot America's first spy ring; in the early years of the Revolutionary War, a Long Island farmer is recruited to spy on the British army. Details Episode 2 Aired Apr 13, 2014 Who by Fire To prevent Anna being blamed for the murder of a Royal Officer, Abe must find the culprit; Ben and Caleb interrogate Simcoe. Details Episode 3 Aired Apr 20, 2014 Of Cabbages and Kings Ben is betrayed by his own militia while on the run from the British; Abe and Richard travel to New York; Mary confronts Anna. Details Episode 4 Aired Apr 27, 2014 Eternity How Long Abe and Richard grapple with orders to dig up gravestones; Ben and Caleb try to get their intelligence to General Washington. Details Episode 5 Aired May 4, 2014 Epiphany Celeb and Ben follow mysterious orders; Washington's army crosses into enemy territory. Details Episode 6 Aired May 11, 2014 Mr. Culpeper Abe is ambushed by a desperate patriot while on the way to New York; Ben is charged with the task of creating a spy. Details Episode 7 Aired May 18, 2014 Mercy Moment Murder Measure An old threat returns to Setauket; Abe tries to protect Anna; Rogers travels to a prison ship in search of a mysterious man. Details Episode 8 Aired May 25, 2014 Challenge Anna searches for intelligence at Andre's exclusive gentleman's party. Details Episode 9 Aired Jun 1, 2014 Against Thy Neighbor Simcoe plans to weed out rebel conspirators in Setauket through a political witch hunt; Ben is assigned to a secret mission. Details Episode 10 Aired Jun 8, 2014 The Battle of Setauket Mary struggles with the knowledge that Abe is a spy for the rebels; Ben and Caleb lead a raid on Setauket. Details

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TURN: Washington's Spies — Season 1

TURN: Washington's Spies TURN: Washington's Spies View more photos

Season Info

Director
Oliver Hirschbiegel, Jeremy Webb, Eagle Egilsson, Nick Copus, Michael Uppendahl, Rupert Wyatt, Kenneth Fink, S.J. Clarkson, Ed Bianchi
Executive Producer
Barry Josephson, Craig Silverstein
Screenwriter
Craig Silverstein, Michael Taylor, LaToya Morgan, Mitchell Akselrad, Andrew Colville, Aïda Mashaka Croal, Michael Taylor, Craig Silverstein, Joseph Bellotti
Network
AMC
Rating
TV-14
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Apr 6, 2014
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