POLDARK - EPISODE ONE (BBC ONE)

Cornwall in 1783. Captain Ross Poldark returns from the American War of Independence to discover that his father has died, his estate is in ruins and his fiancee Elizabeth is now engaged to his cousin, Francis. 

His uncle Charles wants him away and is ready to pay him to make a fresh start elsewhere. But Ross stubbornly refuses, determined to rebuild his family estate. With only the help of his father’s useless servants, Jud and Prudie, he takes on a new kitchen maid, Demelza, after rescuing her from a beating. Soon he's in conflict with hostile locals.

Written by English novelist Winston Graham, the 12 books of the Poldark saga were published between 1945 and 2002. A hugely popular adaptation from BBC Television and London Films Productions, starring Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark and Angharad Rees as Demelza, ran for 29 episodes from 1975 to 1977. The eighth Poldark novel, The Stranger from the Sea was adapted by HTV for ITV in 1996 without the original Ross and Demelza.

« How was the war, sir?
- As any war, ma'am. A waste of good men. »  
 
Poldark returned to the BBC on Sunday 8th March 2015 with an 8 x 60-minute series adapted by Debbie Horsfield (All the Small Things) from the first two novels: Ross Poldark and Demelza. It stars Aidan Turner (The Hobbit, Being Human) as Ross, Eleanor Tomlinson (Death comes to Pemberley) as Demelza, Ruby Bentall (Verity), Beatie Edney (Prudie), Jack Farthing as banker George Warleggan, Heida Reed (Elizabeth), Kyle Soller (Francis), Phil Davis (Whitechapel) as Jud, and Warren Clarke as Charles Poldark. Unfortunately, Charles was his last role and the first episode is dedicated to this great actor.

Excellent and elegant, the new Poldark is ideal for period drama lovers and those who enjoy quality dramas in general. The production values are top-notch, the scenery is magnificent, the required romance, intrigue and action are there. Aidan Turner is aptly cast as the rebellious and dashing gentleman with a social conscience. Ross Poldark is a 18th century swashbuckling anti-hero for modern audiences. Everybody in the cast and crew did a superb job to deliver an instant classic. This adaptation is an invitation to read the books, watch the 1975 series, and visit Cornwall of course.

Ed Bazalgette and William McGregor direct this Mammoth Screen and Masterpiece co-production for the BBC and PBS. Poldark is produced by Eliza Mellor (Death comes to Pemberley). The executive producers are Debbie Horsfield, Karen Thrussell and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, Polly Hill for the BBC and Rebecca Eaton for Masterpiece. Anne Dudley composed the beautiful music. ITV Studios distributes Poldark globally.

Robin Ellis appears in two episodes as Reverend Halse.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/poldark
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/nbVFGmB7lFVmJJKpjrCQV/poldarks-cornwall-locations
https://www.visitcornwall.com/