What’s Worth Watching: Turn: Washington’s Spies Turns up the Heat

Turn: Washington’s Spies, “Thoughts of a Free Man” (Season premiere, Monday, April 13, 9/8c, AMC)

If you like spies—and why would you be watching a Revolutionary drama all about America’s first espionage ring if you didn’t—then you’ll be happy to know that the infamous Benedict Arnold (The Mentalist’s Owain Yeoman) shows up in tonight’s two-hour Season 2 premiere. He’s still a revered officer of the Continental Army, but his disillusionment with the cause soon comes to the fore. Perhaps helped along by the blandishments of a smart and sexy British sympathizer. New cast member Ksenia Solo (Lost Girl) plays the real- life influential Tory, Peggy Shippen.

Jamie Bell, who plays Abraham Woodhull, the chief spy in George Washington’s newly created Culper ring, promises a lot more spycraft, bigger battle scenes and generally more derring-do this season. And happily, the colorfully dastardly agent of King George III, Lt. John Simcoe (Samuel Roukin) returns with plans to destroy any Patriot who stands in the Crown’s way. Or more personally, anyone who keeps him from claiming Anna Strong (Heather Lind), Abe’s secret love.