PBS Masterpiece Sets Third TV Adaptation Of ‘The Forsyte Saga’; Cast Includes BAFTA-Winner Francesca Annis & ‘Doctor Who’ Star Millie Gibson

Jake Kanter
·3 min read

EXCLUSIVE: The Forsyte Saga, John Galsworthy’s sweeping portrait of a wealthy British family in 1880s London, is getting its third TV adaptation in less than 60 years.

PBS Masterpiece has set a six-part season based on the 1920s novels, with BAFTA-nominated Poldark writer Debbie Horsfield penning the adaptation, designed to become a returning series.

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It follows the BBC’s 1967 adaptation, which was watched by audiences of up to 18M. The 2002 version aired on ITV and featured a cast including Damian Lewis and Gina McKee.

The latest reimagining is housed at Mammoth Screen, the ITV Studios-backed British production company behind Parade’s End, The Serpent, and Victoria. Filming begins next month in England, Wales, and Italy.

Mammoth has gathered an ensemble cast for the series, led by BAFTA-winner Francesca Annis (Lillie), who plays formidable Forsyte matriarch Ann.

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

Jack Davenport (The Morning Show) plays Ann’s competitive younger son James. Joshua Orpin (Titans) stars as James’ shrewd son Soames, with Millie Gibson (Doctor Who) featuring as his love interest. Tom Durant Pritchard (This Is Going To Hurt) plays Monty Dartie, James’ son-in-law.

‘The Forsyte Saga’ cast
‘The Forsyte Saga’ cast

Josette Simon (Anatomy of a Scandal) is Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington, a wealthy heiress and friend of the Forsyte family. Jamie Flatters (Avatar: The Way Of Water) has been cast as architect Philip Bosinney and Owen Igiehon (Disclaimer) as lawyer Isaac Cole.

Rounding out the cast is Susan Hampshire, who is returning to The Forsyte Saga having starred in the original BBC series. She won the first of her three Emmy Awards for playing Fleur Forsyte and returns to Galsworthy’s world as Lady Carteret.

Directors are Meenu Gaur (Murder Is Easy) and Annetta Laufer (Get Millie Black). Executive producers are Sheena Bucktowonsing, Horsfield, Gaur , and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece. Sarah Lewis (The Long Shadow) is producing.

Horsfield said: “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. It’s a love letter to the original story while offering an exciting new perspective.”

Timmer added: “Everything about The Forsyte Saga is huge – it’s an epic canvas, and Debbie’s magnificent scripts have delivered a truly great ensemble cast. I hope audiences worldwide will be captivated by the secrets of Soames, Irene, Jolyon and other Forsyte family members as they are laid bare for a new generation of fans.”

Simpson said the “sweeping, romantic drama portrays how duty binds a family together until it conflicts with matters of the heart.”

ITV Studios is handling international distribution, with PBS Distribution overseeing North American rights. The series does not currently have a UK broadcaster attached.

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