While there's still no word yet on whether or not Rupert Wyatt will take over Sony's brewing "The Equalizer," the director has no shortage of projects on the go, and one of them will find him doing a stint for the small screen. The "Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes" director signed on last month to helm the period spy drama "Turn" for AMC, and now the show has a leading man.
Jamie Bell has inked a deal to star, in what sounds like a pretty fascinating premise for a show. The drama series, based on Alexander Rose’s “Washington’s Spies,” will take place in the summer of 1778 and focus on New York farmer Abe Woodhull, who forms The Culper Ring with a group of childhood friends, and together they help change the course of the fight for America's independence. A poor farmer and father with mounting debt, Abe is captured by the Colonials and forced to spy for the Patriot cause. So yeah, promising stuff, and should hopefully fit alongside fare like "The Americans" and "Homeland" on your DVR although with a bit more of a true history bent.
This is the latest in an upcoming string of bold fare from Bell which includes Lars Von Trier's "Nymphomaniac," the adaptation of Irvine Welsh's "Filth" and Bong Joon-Ho's futuristic "Snowpiercer." We presume production on "Turn" will get underway soon, and if all goes well, perhaps we'll see the first season next year? With "Breaking Bad" ending this summer, AMC is going to need something to fill the void. [Deadline]