AMC Orders Second Season of Revolutionary War Drama 'Turn'

AMC today announced that it has ordered a second season of its Revolutionary War drama, Turn, which attracted a passionate core audience averaging 2 million viewers a week over its initial 10-episode run. Turn will return to AMC with 10 new episodes next spring. The network is also pairing encores of the entire first season of Turn with Hell on Wheels on Saturday nights this summer, to give new viewers a chance to discover and connect with the show.

NEWS: Luis Avalos, William Roache, Frank Runyeon, Paul James, Robin Strasser, Lauralee Bell

ELECTRIC COMPANY Actor Luis Avalos Dies at 67
Luis Avalos, the Cuban-born character actor best known for his work on the PBS kids show The Electric Company, died Wednesday after suffering a recent heart attack. He was 67.

Avalos played Doctor Doolots -- a composite of Doctor Dolittle and Groucho Marx who used words to cure his patients -- and many other characters on the show. He came on board in 1972 during the second season and remained part of the cast until ELECTRIC COMPANY wrapped in 1977.

He also played Jose Melendez in RYAN'S HOPE in 1978.

CORONATION STREET's William Roache acquitted of one of seven abuse charges
Jurors at Preston Crown Court were directed to acquit Roache of the indecent assault charge because of insufficient evidence. Roache is still on trial over two rape and four indecent assault allegations. He denies the charges, which relate to incidents between 1965 and 1971.

AMC Network Announces 2014 Programming Schedule: TURN Premieres April 6, MAD MEN Returns April 13

AMC today announced key 2014 programming dates for new and returning scripted and unscripted series. The network's newest drama, TURN - a spy thriller about the untold story of America's first spy ring during the Revolutionary War - will kick off on Sunday, April 6 at 9 p.m. ET with a 90-minute series premiere. One week later, on Sunday, April 13 at 10 p.m. ET, the highly-anticipated first half of the final season of MAD MEN will launch.

Summer 2014 will heat up with the June premiere of HALT AND CATCH FIRE, which captures the rise of the PC era in the early 1980s, during which an unlikely trio - a visionary, an engineer and a prodigy - take staggering personal and professional risks in the race to build a computer that will change the world. Later in the summer will bring the season four roll-out of the AMC western HELL ON WHEELS, which grew to an average audience of 3.3 million viewers (live plus three days of time shifting) in its move to Saturday nights in 2013. TURN and HALT AND CATCH FIRE are produced by AMC Studios and both series will be distributed internationally through Entertainment One (eOne) Television.

AMC Network Greenlights Two Scripted Series - HALT & CATCH FIRE, TURN

AMC announced on Friday series orders for the scripted dramas HALT & CATCH FIRE and TURN. This is the first time the network has ordered two scripted series concurrently. Production on each is scheduled for 4th quarter 2013 with both expected to premiere on AMC in 2014.

"The simultaneous greenlights today are the first in network history and underscore AMC's growth and commitment to original scripted programming," said Joel Stillerman, AMC's EVP of original programming, production and digital content. "Each of these projects takes the audience into a unique world through compelling characters told with an original voice. We are so fortunate to be working with such exceptional talent on these series and can't wait to bring them to viewers."