The Forsytes: A New Adaptation of Galsworthy's Classic

PBS Masterpiece's latest historical drama, “The Forsytes,” adapted from John Galsworthy’s novels, explores themes of love, ambition, and duty within the context of late 19th-century London. The series chronicles the lives of the Forsyte family over four generations, focusing on their status as members of the nouveau riche. Set against the backdrop of societal expectations, the narrative begins in 1877, highlighting the impending challenges faced by the family as their seemingly perfect facade begins to crumble.

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The story opens with Jolyon Forsyte (Danny Griffin), affectionately known as Jo, returning home to marry Frances (Tuppence Middleton), a widow and prominent figure in London society. Jo's father, Jolyon Forsyte Sr. (Stephen Moyer), views this union as pivotal for solidifying their elite status and aims for Jo to take over the family stockbroking firm, Forsytes & Company. Tensions arise as Jo's uncle James (Jack Davenport) and cousin Soames (Joshua Orpin) plot to oust him from the company to secure Soames' position as chairman.

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As the narrative progresses to 1887, the family dynamics become increasingly complex. June (Justine Moore), Jo's stepdaughter, is on the brink of adulthood and yearns for a love match, while her mother and grandfather push for a more advantageous marriage. The rivalry between Jo and Soames intensifies, particularly as Soames becomes infatuated with Irene Heron (Millie Gibson), a ballerina facing her own struggles.

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Throughout the six-episode first season, the characters grapple with personal desires versus familial obligations. Jo faces a pivotal moment that forces him to confront his own life choices, while Soames' pursuit of Irene alters his perspective on marriage. The series emphasizes the experiences of women like Frances, June, and Irene, who navigate their limited agency in a patriarchal society. Frances strives for perfection in her marriage, June is sheltered from the realities of life outside wealth, and Irene's aspirations are jeopardized by her father's health.

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Critics have noted that while the adaptation may diverge from previous versions, particularly the 2002 ITV series, it offers a fresh perspective on Galsworthy's work. Debbie Horsfield's adaptation has been described as a "solidly inspired" retelling that balances modern aesthetics with the historical narrative.

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“The Forsytes” premiered on March 22 on PBS, with new episodes released weekly on Sundays. Following its initial success, the series has already filmed a second season and has been renewed for a third, indicating that the drama surrounding the Forsyte family is set to continue evolving.

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• “A cautionary tale about love, trust and agency, the show highlights how few resources women of the era had and what they endured to achieve a life tolerable to them.” — Variety Review

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• “Though lovers of the previous iterations of “The Forsyte Saga,” particularly 2002’s ITV version starring Damian Lewis, will undoubtedly have criticisms of this new series (namely its hyper-modern look), Horsfield’s version of “The Forsytes” is a solidly inspired adaptation.” — Variety Review

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