British actor Jamie Bell has boarded the AMC period drama pilot Turn, which marks the first time the actor has made a move towards a starring role on TV. Bell started his career in the movie Billy Elliot and has since appeared in a number of films. He’ll take on the lead role in the American Revolution-centered project.
Turn focuses on Abe Woodhull (Bell), a cabbage farmer who winds up involved in a grassroots spy organization known as The Culper Ring. The group is made up of Abe and his childhood friends, and winds up playing a vital role in the success of the American Revolution. In the pilot, Bell is a husband and farmer who finds himself caught up in the revolutionary war when he is caught smuggling cabbages to the black market.
Jamie Bell took home a BAFTA award for Best Actor in 2001 for his role in Billy Elliot. He has also appeared in King Kong and Defiance, and was the voice of Tintin in The Adventures of Tintin. He has several movie roles headed for the big screen this year, including Snowpiercer with Chris Evans. Aside from a guest spot on the British series Close & True many years ago, Bell hasn’t done any television work, so this role would be a big move into a new medium for him.
Turn is based on the book Washington’s Spies by Alexander Rose. Deadline says the pilot was written by Craig Silverstein (Nikita) and is set to be directed by Rupert Wyatt (Rise of the Planet of the Apes). So far this is the first casting news for this project, but we’ll keep you updated on new additions.
