A new adaptation of The Forsyte Saga is coming to 5 (formerly Channel 5) later this year, featuring Doctor Who’s Millie Gibson among its star-studded cast.
Based on John Galsworthy’s acclaimed novels, the six-part series, titled The Forsytes, revisits the lives of the upper-class Forsyte family – wealthy stockbrokers enjoying a privileged existence in the late Victorian era.
At the centre of John Galsworthy's Forsyte Saga is Soames Forsyte, a wealthy solicitor whose obsession with his artistic wife Irene sparks the family’s dramatic and tragic turmoil.
When can you watch The Forsytes?
The Forsytes is coming to 5 this autumn, although a specific date hasn't been released yet.
What is The Forsytes about?
Desire, ambition, and betrayal lie at the core of this lavish period drama, which explores the romances, family ties, and aspirations of the influential Forsyte family in late 19th-century London.
Inspired by John Galsworthy’s novels collectively known as The Forsyte Saga, previously adapted under the same title, this new reimagining delves into events that precede the classic books, placing romance firmly at the heart of the story.
Have there been other adaptations of The Forsyte Saga?
John Galsworthy's The Forsyte Saga book series has been adapted for TV and radio several times. One of the most notable examples is ITV's 2002 adaptation The Forsyte Saga, which starred Damian Lewis and Gina McKee.
Who is in the cast of The Forsytes?
In addition to Millie Gibson (Doctor Who), the cast includes Stephen Moyer (True Blood) as Jolyon Forsyte Sr., Jack Davenport (The Morning Show) as James Forsyte, Danny Griffin (Fate: The Winx Saga) as Jolyon Forsyte Jr., Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey: A New Era) as Frances Forsyte and Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day and Poldark) as Louisa Byrne.
Where was The Forsytes filmed?
The Forsytes was filmed primarily in Bristol, with The Bottle Yard Studios serving as the main production base. The city’s historic streets, including Clifton and the Christmas Steps, provided authentic backdrops to the Victorian era.
- Bristol city centre: Central locations such as All Saints Lane and Christmas Steps were transformed into 19th-century streets.
- Clifton: The area’s elegant, historic streets offered atmospheric settings.
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- Where Is Vera filmed? A guide to the beloved UK drama series
- Where is Beyond Paradise filmed?
- Downton Abbey guide: history of Highclere Castle and how to visit
Top image: Joshua Orpin as Soames Forsyte and Millie Gibson as Irene Heron in The Forsytes. Credit: Mammoth Screen and MASTERPIECE