Abby Polansky lingered quietly in the Kimball Theatre lobby, as if waiting for a friend.
But the Jamestown High School freshman was eyeing Samuel Roukin, an actor from AMC’s Revolutionary War drama “TURN: Washington’s Spies,” who stood just a few feet away. She approached Roukin, asking for a picture. He obliged.
In a way, Polansky had indeed met a friend. She’s followed the development of Roukin’s character, and other “TURN” characters, from the start.
“I’ve been watching since Season 1,” said Polansky, 15. She even skipped school Thursday to rewatch favorite episodes from Season 2 ahead of the local premiere of Season 3, hosted by Colonial Williamsburg.
“I’m a real history nerd,” she said. “Just growing up in this area, I was always exposed to Revolutionary War.”
History enthusiasts and “TURN” fans alike flocked to the premiere event Thursday. As the sun set over Duke of Gloucester Street, past and present collided on the red carpet extending from the Kimball’s doors.
Colonial Williamsburg reenactors mingled with guests entering the theatre, complete with mock red carpet interviews. Even George Washington made his red carpet debut.
“I’m glad that the show’s successful,” said Ron Carnegie, who portrays the nation’s first president. “There’s so little in the modern media that draws attention to this period.”
Lauren Monark, 25, studied history at the College of William and Mary, and that’s one reason she’s a “TURN” fan. Monark binge watches the show with her mom Debbie, who also attended the premiere.
“We enjoy seeing our town in the show,” Debbie Monark said.
Soon after the screening began, an excited murmur filled the packed theater as Duke of Gloucester Street appeared on screen. Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area appears as Philadelphia on the show.
“To be filming a historical drama around so much of the history is really just such a feather in our cap,” said Roukin, the evening’s special guest. Roukin portrays Captain John Simcoe, a “TURN” villain, with haunting menace, but he spent the evening charming fans.
“What’d you think of that?” said Roukin, as he took the stage following the screening for a question-and-answer session. “That’s the first time I’ve seen it as well.”
Amid witty banter with host Alex Morse, a Colonial Williamsburg interpreter, Roukin discussed everything from crafting Simcoe’s character to his most memorable moment on the show — going from the birth of his second child to, in a matter of hours, filming a scene where Simcoe bayonets someone in the neck.
He talked about Williamsburg, too.
“I think if you have somewhere that has such an important place in the birth of a nation, you should do everything you can to preserve it,” he said. “This will be just a bigger and bigger landmark as time goes on.”
Another guest made an unexpected appearance near evening’s end. Morse and Roukin enlisted the audience in singing “Happy Birthday” to actor Ian Kahn through a video call. Kahn, who plays George Washington on “TURN,” turned 44 on Thursday.
Kahn thanked the audience for the rendition, saying it was the greatest rendition a man could get, and he thanked Colonial Williamsburg for its role in “TURN.”
“We do our best to make you proud,” he said.
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.
How to watch “TURN: Washington’s Spies”
Third season
