#poldark pbs

[blogger360ncislarules]

Let the trumpets play that Mouret theme song — we’re rounding up the 15 best Masterpiece series from the half-century-plus history of the PBS drama anthology.

Masterpiece was previously titled Masterpiece Theatre, and as you might deduce from that spelling, the franchise specializes in British imports — usually costume dramas and period mysteries, with contemporary stories thrown in occasionally for good measure.

Of the Masterpiece productions with more than 10,000 user votes on IMDb, here are the top 15, ranked by average user rating.

15

2012–2013

Based on Au Bonheur des Dames by Émile Zola, this series stars Joanna Vanderham as a small-town woman who gets a job at the first English department store in 1875 and falls for its dashing owner. “Witty, moving, adorable, suspenseful, intriguing, and the list goes on,” one viewer said on IMDb. “Hats off — pun intended.”

14

2019–2023

An unfinished Jane Austen manuscript inspired this series about a young woman (played by Rose Williams) who moves to a fishing town that aspires to become a seaside resort. “Yet again the Brits prove that nobody can do a period piece like they can!” one fan raved. “They always have the right balance of love, drama, relatable emotion, scandal, heartbreak, etc.”

13

2014–2023

A series of clergymen (played by James Norton, Tom Brittney, and — soon — Rishi Nair) investigate local crimes with the help of a detective inspector (played by Robson Green) in the titular Cambridgeshire village in this series. “I came to Grantchester after a few seasons of Father Brown,” said one IMDb user. “While another ‘priest plus cop’ series seemed redundant, Grantchester is brilliantly written and acted.”

12

2008

In this adaptation of the classic Austen story — a more overtly sexual one than others, according to screenwriter Andrew Davies — then-newcomers Hattie Morahan and Charity Wakefield played polar-opposite sisters at the start of their 19th-century romantic journeys. “This serial … is my favorite rendition of its novel,” one viewer wrote. “In the first hour, it’s my favorite by far.”

11

2009

Romola Garai, Jonny Lee Miller, and the late Michael Gambon starred in this Austen adaptation, with Garai playing the meddlesome would-be matchmaker (and earning a Golden Globe nomination for her performance). “Everything — the acting, the costumes, storyline, and music — was just so superbly done,” an IMDb user enthused. “This version of Emma far surpasses its predecessors.”

10

2015

Mark Rylance, Damian Lewis, and Claire Foy brought Hilary Mantel’s historical novel to life, with Rylance portraying Thomas Cromwell as the lawyer becomes a close advisor to Henry VIII (Lewis) amid the king’s relationship with Anne Boleyn (Foy). “Mark Rylance was just mesmerizing,” one viewer said. “From the moment he appeared, he held me in thrall.”

9

2016–2019

Jenna Coleman portrayed a young Queen Victoria in this series that tracked the monarch’s ascension to the throne and her marriage to Prince Albert (Tom Hughes). “This has been the most amazing series since Downton Abbey I have watched,” an IMDb user wrote. “I laughed, I cried, I got angry. I felt every emotion humanly possible through watching it.”

8

2016–2019

Simply titled The Durrells across the pond, this comedy-drama follows a widow and her four children as they adapt to life on a Greek isle, taking inspiration from the memoirs of real-life British naturalist Gerard Durrell. “Overall it is just charming, crammed full of dry wit, and a bit of a page-turner, as I can’t wait for the next episode,” one fan opined.

7

2005

Twenty years after giving Masterpiece one Bleak House adaptation, the BBC sent over another, written by Davies, with Gillian Anderson and Carey Mulligan in the cast of a Charles Dickens tale that the network deemed a “passionate indictment” of England’s 19th-century legal system. “450+ minutes of a film is a long time to have your breath taken away,” a viewer said, “but that’s what happened when I first watched this magnificent adaptation.”

6

2006

Before screenwriter Sandy Welch adapted the aforementioned Emma for the BBC, she brought this Charlotte Brontë story to the network, with Ruth Wilson making a breakout turn as the titular governess with a troublesome past. “A lavish production in all the right ways — script, cast, direction, location, details — this is a perfect literary adaptation,” one IMDb user rhapsodized.

5

2007–2009

Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, and an Emmy-winning Eileen Atkins played village women living on the verge of the Industrial Revolution in this five-part series based on Elizabeth Gaskell novellas. “Not a dry eye in the house as this came to a close last night,” one viewer said. “Absolute perfection.”

4

2015–2019

Aidan Turner gained fans on both sides of the Atlantic with this series about a British Army officer returning to Cornwall after the American Revolution and finding his family home nothing like how he left it. “I use IMDb all the time to look at reviews, but I never leave them,” one user wrote. “I signed up for an account just so I could rate this series because it is that awesome.”

3

2010–2015

A Masterpiece series so popular it inspired two big-screen movies, this upstairs-downstairs drama followed the aristocratic Crawley family and their staff as they navigate the turbulent early 20th century. “Downton Abbey is the embodiment of excellence,” a fan said. “Well written with intelligent and inspiring storylines.”

2

1976

Based on the Robert Graves novel of the same name and its sequel, this miniseries chronicled the early Roman Empire through decades of Claudius’ reign. Derek Jacobi starred as the title emperor, and the supporting cast included a still-up-and-coming Patrick Stewart. “I, Claudius is the ultimate soap opera — vicious, cruel, manipulative — and this famous English miniseries grabs the attention and holds fast throughout the entire length of its complex tale of ancient intrigue,” one viewer said.

1

2010–2017

A modern-day take on the Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective, Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the title character and Martin Freeman as sidekick Watson, with Andrew Scott stealing scenes as the archenemy Moriarty. “[This] will have Conan Doyle spinning in his grave… with delight,” one fan said. “A brilliantly written, well-acted program. Well done to all concerned.”

[stelly38]

Yay.

[VIDEO] 160926 PBS | Aidan Turner’s interview for LAaRT #Poldark2

Another interview with Aidan that took place in the USA during the summer TCA press tour for Poldark at the end of July 2016.

In the video Aidan talks about his motivations behind being involved in Poldark and in acting in general, discusses Ross Poldark’s complexity, admits he’s a very flawed character, someone who constantly makes mistakes and is emotionally quite inarticulate, and also tells us what happens in the second series of the drama.

Source: PBS

[mercurygray]

YOU GUYS.

Cancel my appointments and hold my calls, @wgbh is getting a new Forsyte Saga and this cast is STACKED!!!

[romancingmr-b]

Poldark ♥️

One of the best PBS shows EVER! If you haven’t seen it, hurry and watch it. So good! My next books I’m reading.

[mariacallous]

The first signs of a new remake of The Forsyte Saga appeared on production listings at the beginning of April 2024. While there had been rumors before about the series returning to television, the pre-production announcements were the first sign the project was getting off the ground, with Mammoth Productions most likely behind it. However, it was unclear if the show was a BBC series, an ITV series, or a series made for PBS or Masterpiece, or a combination thereof. But with filming now about to get underway, details are out, and Masterpiece is the one taking the lead on the project, with a stellar cast lined up to star.

The Forsyte Saga is considered the British period piece that allowed the WGBH folks to launch the Masterpiece anthology series as PBS launched nationwide. The series was first aired in the U.K. on the recently launched BBC 2 in 1967, a network most TV viewers did not have yet. It proved so popular that it was rerun on BBC One a few months later, making it technically the first show to make the jump from network to network due to rising ratings. The series then transferred to the U.S. and aired on local PBS stations across the country (which were at that point not under a national umbrella as yet) and proved a massive hit, bringing in numbers that beat out the "Big Three" networks of NBC, CBS, and ABC. Its success proved an appetite for the best of British programming, presaging Masterpiece's launch two years later.

It's now 55 years later, and though Masterpiece aired a new version in 2002, nowadays, it is no longer just an importer. The streaming wars have made it so that the anthology series must co-produce and sometimes take the lead on commissioning shows. The choice to make its own The Forsyte Saga is unsurprising, considering the show's history and its reputation, which means that it has pulled in quite an impressive cast.

One reason Masterpiece has taken charge of the project? This way it can dictate how many seasons there are and when it is renewed. Make no mistake, this is planned as a multi-season venture. Here's the series logline:

The first season of six episodes follows the lives of the wealthy Forsyte family in 1880s London and is based on John Galsworthy’s Nobel Prize-winning tale of love, loyalty, ambition, and betrayal.

The series cast stars Francesca Annis (Flesh & Blood) as formidable Forsyte matriarch Ann; Stephen Moyer (Sexy Beast) as her eldest son, Jolyon Senior, head of the family stockbroking firm Forsyte & Co.; and Jack Davenport (Ten Percent) plays Ann’s competitive younger son James. The next generation down features Danny Griffin (The Gentlemen) as Jolyon Sr.'s bohemian son Jo, Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey) as Jo’s status-driven wife Frances, and Eleanor Tomlinson (Poldark) plays Louisa Byrne, a Soho dressmaker and Jo’s first love. Joshua Orpin (Titans) plays James’ shrewd and sometimes ruthless son, Soames; Millie Gibson (Doctor Who) is Irene, the dancer whom Soames falls in love with, and Tom Durant Pritchard (Miss Scarlet) plays Monty Dartie, James’ son-in-law.

Outside of the titular family, Josette Simon (Broadchurch) will play Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington, a wealthy heiress and friend of the Forsyte family; Jamie Flatters (Liar) is architect Philip Bosinney, Owen Igiehon (Disclaimer) plays lawyer Isaac Cole, and last (but certainly not least), OG 1967 The Forsyte Saga star Susan Hampshire OBE plays Lady Carteret.

Debbie Horsfield (Sanctuary: A Witch's Tale) will pen all six episodes, with directors Meenu Gaur (Murder Is Easy) and Annetta Laufer (Get Millie Black) splitting helming duties and Sarah Lewis (The Long Shadow) producing. Horsfield and Gaur executive produce along with Sheena Bucktowonsing, Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece. 

The Forsyte Saga Season 1 is expected to debut on most PBS stations in 2025.

[queenclaudiabrown]

queenclaudiabrown's fandom list

Primeval (+ Primeval: New World)

Tolkien + Tolkien-based works (primarily The Hobbit trilogy, The Lord of The Rings trilogy, and The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power series on Amazon Prime)

Whoniverse (Doctor Who + Torchwood)

Supernatural

Detroit: Become Human

Sherlock BBC

Marvel (including X-Men movies and Daredevil)

DC + DCEU

Sherlock Holmes (Downey movies)

Fringe

Jericho (CBS)

Scream

Stargate (movies, SG-1, and Atlantis)

Stranger Things

The Hunger Games (movies)

The Maze Runner (movies)

Divergent (movies)

Lost (ABC / J.J. Abrams)

Wayward Pines (Season 1 only because Season 2 was T R A S H)

Star Wars

Star Trek (mostly Deep Space Nine + J. J. Abrams movies)

Alias

Shetland

Bad Sisters

Home Before Dark

Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Poldark (PBS series)

The Paradise (PBS series)

Downton Abbey

[wgbh]

👀

reminder that all 5 seasons of Poldark are available via PBS Passport

[bookwormchocaholic]

Sounds like it could be a good one!

[blogger360ncislarules]

MASTERPIECE PBS and Mammoth Screen have announced the remaining casting for its upcoming adaptation of The Forsyte Saga.

Fiona Button (The Split) plays Mrs. Clarissa Heron, Irene’s (Millie Gibson) stepmother and Tristan Sturrock (Poldark) plays Professor Heron, Irene’s father.

Justine Moore (Call the Midwife) plays June Forsyte, the 18-year-old daughter of Frances (Tuppence Middleton) and stepdaughter of Jolyon Forsyte (Danny Griffin).

Eleanor Jackson (The Royal Mob) is Winifred Forsyte, daughter of James (Jack Davenport) and wife of Monty (Tom Durant Pritchard). Naomi Frederick (Belgravia) plays Emily Forsyte, James’ wife.

Sharon Rose (Silent Witness) is Alicia Cole, wife of Jolyon’s best friend Isaac (Owen Igiehon).

They join the previously announced ensemble which includes Francesca Annis, Jack Davenport, Tom Durant Pritchard, Jamie Flatters, Millie Gibson, Danny Griffin, Susan Hampshire, Owen Igiehon, Tuppence Middleton, Stephen Moyer, Joshua Orpin, Josette Simon and Eleanor Tomlinson.

BAFTA winner Francesca Annis (Flesh and Blood) plays formidable Forsyte matriarch Ann, with Stephen Moyer (Sexy Beast, True Blood) as her eldest son, Jolyon Senior, head of the family stockbroking firm Forsyte & Co. Danny Griffin (Fate: The Winx Saga) plays his bohemian son Jo, Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey: A New Era) is Jo’s status-driven wife Frances, and Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day) plays Louisa Byrne, a Soho dressmaker and Jo’s first love.

Jack Davenport (The Morning Show, Ten Percent) plays Ann’s competitive younger son James, with Joshua Orpin (Titans) as James’ shrewd and sometimes ruthless son Soames. Millie Gibson (Doctor Who) plays Irene, the dancer whom Soames falls in love with. Tom Durant Pritchard (This Is Going To Hurt) plays Monty Dartie, James’ son-in-law. Josette Simon OBE (Anatomy of a Scandal) is Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington, a wealthy heiress and friend of the Forsyte family, with Jamie Flatters (Avatar: The Way Of Water) as architect Philip Bosinney and Owen Igiehon (Disclaimer) as lawyer Isaac Cole. Susan Hampshire OBE (star of the 1967 BBC Forsyte Saga for which she received the first of her three lead actress Emmys), plays Lady Carteret.

Planned as a lavish returning series, the first season of six episodes follows the lives and loves of the wealthy Forsyte family in 1880s London.

The Forsyte Saga is directed by Meenu Gaur (Murder Is Easy) and Annetta Laufer (Get Millie Black) and is produced by Sarah Lewis (The Long Shadow). Filming is currently underway in the UK and Venice, Italy. The executive producers are Sheena Bucktowonsing, Debbie Horsfield, Meenu Gaur and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, and Susanne Simpson for MASTERPIECE.

[stelly38]

I think Dwight’s origin story was something the TV series did better than the books.  In the books, he just appears out of nowhere, with no explanation.  In the show, he and Ross know each other from the war, where Dwight was enlisted as surgeon, and took care of Ross’s injuries.  It’s a more seamless approach.  What else do you think the TV show did better?

[sarahg170194]

Drake: Morwenna! Morwenna: Drake? Drake! Drake: I dare ye. Come on, I dare ye! Tom Harry: I thought ye Methody types didn’t fight. Drake: Well, ‘ee thought wrong, brother. Tom Harry: Next time. Drake: Next time. Tom Harry: Go. Drake: My love. You’re safe now, my love.

https://twitter.com/tvshowquote1   sarahg170194 https://twitter.com/tvshowquote1/status/1229400998755565568

[comic-book-jawns]

"Do ye not think there be more to life than carnal love? Just bein together, seein together all that's good and pure and rare and beautiful in the world... Oh my love, what is life if ye live it alone?"

[stelly38]

I’ll add my own nonsense!

1. Is he nude? Don’t know… in the story, he most definitely is. In the scene as it’s being shot, he’s probably socked up. lol. Should he be naked all the time, on screen and off? Of course. Duh.

2. The first time I watched Poldark, it was 2020, and I saw it on PBS Masterpiece. I believe this scene was included. In a later rewatch, I watched through Prime, and it was supposedly the “full” BBC version, which PBS had not streamed. Each episode was 1-3 minutes longer, and there was more content, in general. The one example I can think of is the scene where Ross wakes up in Margaret’s bed… this was not shown in the PBS version. PBS cut a good amount of marginal/transitional stuff like that and replaced it where necessary with B-roll shot of waves crashing, etc.

3. Yes, I did hear that information about Rivals. No idea if it’s true; we’ll only find out upon release of the show. But I was skeptical about the ‘sexiness’ of the series the second I heard fucking disney had gotten their hooks in it. I blame our Puritanical roots, the ensuing centuries of brainwashing, and the rise of evangelical christianity in the second half of the last century, especially with the popularity of televised shenanigans (think Swaggart and Falwell and their ilk). So I agree with you about the pearl clutching. —Reactions like that are a symptom of our collective brainwashing.

I'm doing this gif thing in my Poldark fan group on fb, quick fav scenes. I posted a larger, longer higher-res version of this gif because damn, and pretty (I wish file sizes here could accommodate but oh well.) Some ladies were asking where that's from because they'd never seen it on Prime. I have Prime and also BritBox and the version I watch is an extended UK version... is this unseen/new info for some people? I thought we were all served up the same content. I wonder what else has been cut from a US version??

Honestly I hesitated, I knew some would love it but there's biddies in the neighborhood as well (prob not a very pc moniker but accurate). I think there was some clutching of pearls happening due to the 'nudity'. Is he nude here? I mean I wish!! I have to imagine the camera panning down in my mind's eye. But tbf you can see more at a men's swimming meet ffs. I guess this is the reason we can't have anything nice here because a spate of fucking might break out at the sight of Aidan Turner's abs.

Somebody mentioned Rivals possibly being edited for the US audience, was that you Stelly38? People like this must be the reason why. Thank God I am not and never will be like these women.

[gogenevieveart]

Demelza and Ross ❤️

[musingsofahistorymajor]

I'm finally watching season 4 of Poldark and my god Ross and Demelza are the most frustrating couple!! I just want to scream at them both for being idiots. Meanwhile Dwight and Caroline continue to be my favorite couple. They're perfection and I love them both.