New Show From ‘Poldark’ Creator Is Coming to PBS: Everything to Know About ‘The Forsytes’
Lavish costumes plus longing looks? Consider us seated.
The Forsytes is a new period drama coming to Masterpiece on PBS next year. Created by Debbie Horsfield – who also brought us swoony series Poldark – it follows “the lives, loves, trials, and triumphs of a wealthy Victorian era stockbroking family, whose generations find themselves torn between tradition and self-sacrifice versus personal happiness and the pursuit of love.”
In other words, if you can’t get enough of HBO’s drama-filled The Gilded Age, The Forsytes may be right up your alley. Like the George and Bertha Russell, the Forsytes are “new money” who’ve recently climbed the social ranks and are anxious to advance their position in society.
When does ‘The Forsytes’ premiere?
The Forsytes premieres October 20 on Channel 5 in the U.K. Audiences in the U.S. will have to wait a bit to catch up on the drama. It will begin airing on PBS sometime in 2026.
Season 1 will have six episodes. And for those who hate cliffhangers, there’s good news. A second season is already in the works.
Is ‘The Forsytes’ based on a book?
Sort of. The Forsytes is inspired by John Galsworthy’s Forsyte Saga novels. The Forsytes features events that take place before those covered in Galsworthy’s books. Horsfield calls it “a bold, new reimagining of Galsworthy’s epic saga.”
“Our show is in part a prequel to the events of the first book, but also an opportunity to expand the world and place the women of the family centre stage,” she said in a statement. “It’s a love letter to the original story while offering an exciting new perspective.”
Galsworthy’s books have been adapted several times for TV and film. A 2002 adaptation starred Damian Lewis, Gina McKee, and Rupert Graves. It aired for two seasons on ITV and PBS. You can stream it on the PBS Masterpiece channel on Prime Video or with PBS Passport.
Who is in ‘The Forsytes’ cast?
The Forsytes features an all-star cast.
Francesca Annis plays the family matriarch Ann. Stephen Moyer is Jolyon Forsyte Sr., who runs the family’s stockbroking business.
Danny Griffin plays Jolyon’s bohemian son Jo Forsyte Jr., Tuppence Middleton is Jo’s high-society wife Frances Forsyte, and Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson is Louisa Byrne, a Soho dressmaker and Jo’s first love.
Jack Davenport stars as Ann’s ambitious younger son James Forsyte; Joshua Orpin is James’ shrewd son Soames Forsyte; Millie Gibson is Irene Heron, a ballet dancer and Soames’ love interest; and Miss Scarlet’s Tom Durant-Pritchard is Monty Dartie, an indolent and socially-climbing son-in-law.
Other cast members include Josette Simon as Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington, a wealthy heiress and friend of the Forsyte family; Jamie Flatters as architect Philip Bosinney; and Owen Igiehon as lawyer Isaac Cole. Susan Hampshire plays Lady Carteret.
Looking ahead to season 2, viewers can expect to see the addition of Outlander’s Richard Rankin, Sarah Alexander from Pennyworth, and Nia Ashi from Bob Marley: One Love to the cast.
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