June 23, 2017

TV's 'Turn' features Wayne State namesake

Mad Anthony WayneHistory buffs may be aware that the fourth and final season of the AMC television show Turn: Washington's Spies kicked off last week. But local viewers might be surprised to discover that Wayne State University’s namesake, Anthony Wayne, will enter the story in episode four.

The show, based on Alexander Rose’s book Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring, is set during the American Revolutionary War and introduces Abraham Woodhull, who forms the Culper Ring — America's first spy organization — with a group of childhood friends.

Wayne, an Army officer, statesman and member of the U.S. House of Representatives, began his military career at the outset of the Revolutionary War. His military exploits and fiery personality earned him several promotions and the “Mad Anthony” moniker.

Mad Anthony WayneIn Turn, Wayne is played by Michael J. Burg, who recently posed for a photo wearing a Wayne State University T-shirt provided by Art Lionas, director of media content at University Television. Burg and Lionas attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts together in New York City in the early 1980s and have remained friends.

Burg said he didn’t know much about Wayne before landing the part, but enjoyed learning about him by reading his biography and other writings.

“He was such an important and charismatic American character. It’s too bad more people aren’t aware of how instrumental he was in the American Revolution,” said Burg. “He was a really brilliant military man. Some of his actions appeared to be reckless, but they weren’t; it was strategy.”

Turn airs on AMC on Saturdays at 9 p.m. for the next nine weeks.  

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