AFTER almost 15 years in the industry, Jamie Bell has landed his breakthrough TV role in Craig Silverstein’s (Nikita) historical drama, Turn: Washington’s Spies. It is based on Alexander Rose’s book, Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring.
However, the series has come under fire for taking creative liberties with its iconic characters. But if you are relatively naïve about American history and its politics, you probably would appreciate the series for its cinematic sensibilities.
While the 29-year-old actor rose to fame as the eponymous lead in Billy Elliot – a role that earned him a Bafta for Best Actor in a Leading Role – his movie choices since have been very hit-and-miss affairs.
He played Ben Grimm/The Thing in the reboot of the 2005 film, Fantastic Four. Sadly, the movie bombed at the box office. And his character was lost among the other cast and eventually buried in the tedious plot.
However, that isn’t a slight on him as an actor. He has lots of potential and is good- looking, but just not in your predictable Adonis-looking hero way.
Then again, you don’t have to fit that blueprint to be a tour de force in the industry.
In his TV outing, he delivers a powerful performance as Abraham Woodhull, a farmer living on Long Island.
The story starts in October 1776, with the British claiming Long Island, Staten Island and New York City, while General George Washington and his men are relegated to fighting from the outskirts of the wilderness.
Elliot masterfully handles the conflicting emotions of his character, who is torn between appeasing his staunch loyalist father and then forced to marry his late brother’s fiancée while his heart still pines for the love of his life – Anna Strong.
There is this subdued rage that he channels into spying on the British for General Washington’s army, and joins his childhood friends to form Culper Ring. On the flip side, he softens into this love-struck man when it comes to Anna. And he is fiercely protective of her, despite his father’s strong disapproval.
On making this leap to TV, especially now with so many other actors also jumping ship from the big screen, he told Collider.com: “I’ve been admiring what television has been doing, in terms of the quality of acting, but was never really looking for TV. This just came along and it was so rich and complex. Coupled with that, it was just intriguing. In some ways, I’ve surpassed films, in terms of the way people invest in these shows and invest in these characters. In that regard, the landscape has definitely changed and I wanted to be a part of it.”
When it comes to the costumes, backdrops and parlance, there is a concerted effort to stay true to the era. The drama can become long-winded but does have a wonderfully interwoven mix of villains and heroes.
While there is much treachery afoot as the storyline pivots around Abraham, the danger is cleverly offset by the courage of its rebel characters. The drama is also heightened by the cloaked tension between father and son.
Turn: Washington’s Spies might not appeal to viewers who become easily restless when submerged in the world of politics and war. But if you aren’t, then this build-up to the American Revolutionary War will pique your interest. Also, Bell’s intensity as the lead is not only praiseworthy, it redeems him from his questionable movie choices.
l Turn: Washington’s Spies, M-Net Edge (DStv channel 102), Thursday at 8pm.