The Forsytes is a new television show that tells the story of a rich English family in the 1880s. The series is based on books written by John Galsworthy called The Forsyte Saga. It follows the lives of the wealthy Forsyte family across four generations as they deal with money, love, and family secrets.
The show started in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2025, and aired on Channel 5. For viewers in the United States, the series will begin on March 22, 2026, on PBS as part of its Masterpiece collection. The show has six episodes in its first season and has already been confirmed for a second season.
A New Look at The Forsyte Saga
This is not the first time Galsworthy’s books have been made into a television show. There was a famous BBC version in 1967 and another one on ITV in 2002. This new version is different because it acts as a prequel, showing events that happened before the original books begin.
Writer Debbie Horsfield, who also created the popular show Poldark, wrote all six episodes of this new adaptation. The show is directed by Meenu Gaur and Annetta Laufer. Horsfield describes the story as being about a family torn between following old traditions and chasing personal happiness.
The series explores how the family’s desire to protect their money and reputation often conflicts with their personal desires for love and freedom. This creates tension between older family members who value tradition and younger ones who want to break free from these expectations.
The People of The Forsytes
The show features many well-known actors playing members of the Forsyte family and their circle.
The family is led by Francesca Annis who plays Ann Forsyte, the powerful mother of the family. Her two sons are played by Stephen Moyer as Jolyon Forsyte Senior and Jack Davenport as James Forsyte. Jolyon is the head of the family’s successful stockbroking business called Forsyte & Co.
The younger generation includes Danny Griffin as Jo Forsyte Junior, Jolyon’s artistic son who prefers a simpler life. Jo is married to Frances, played by Tuppence Middleton, a woman who cares deeply about her social status.
Joshua Orpin plays Soames Forsyte, the determined and sometimes harsh son of James. Soames becomes interested in Irene Heron, a ballet dancer played by Millie Gibson. Eleanor Tomlinson appears as Louisa Byrne, a dressmaker in Soho and Jo’s first love.
A special addition to the cast is Susan Hampshire, who actually starred in the original 1967 BBC adaptation of The Forsyte Saga. In this new version, she plays Lady Carteret.
The Story Begins
The first season starts with the family preparing for June Forsyte’s 18th birthday party. June is the daughter of Frances and stepdaughter of Jolyon, played by Justine Moore. Her birthday marks her official entrance into high society, but the celebration is disrupted when her father makes a surprising announcement that shocks the family.
As the story continues, Frances makes a troubling discovery that increases tension in the family. The series follows the family through various social events, including a night at the opera, while exploring the complicated relationships between family members.
“We’re so pleased with the first season of The Forsytes that we’re thrilled to continue the story into Season 2 with our stellar cast,” said Susanne Simpson, head of scripted content for Masterpiece.
New characters from outside the family’s wealthy circle enter their world, including Irene Heron, whose arrival causes social tension with her independent ways. The show examines how these outsiders challenge the family’s traditional values and create conflicts within their tightly controlled society.
Release Dates Around the World
The Forsytes has different release dates depending on where you live. In the United Kingdom, the show began on October 20, 2025, on Channel 5. Viewers in the UK can also stream episodes on Channel 5’s online service called My5.
For viewers in the United States, the wait is a bit longer. The series will premiere on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 9/8c on PBS as part of its Masterpiece collection. All six episodes will be available to stream through the PBS app and on PBS Masterpiece via Prime Video on the same day.
In Australia, the series is available to watch on ABC iView. For viewers in Canada, the show will be accessible through PBS Passport.
The show was filmed in several locations in England including Bristol, Bath, and various historic houses. Scenes set at the Forsyte family’s country home, Robin Hill, were filmed at Longleat House in Wiltshire. Other filming locations included Belgravia, Kensington, and Hatfield House.
Already Renewed for Season Two
Even before the first season finished airing in the UK, the show was confirmed for a second season. This is unusual for television shows and shows that the creators have confidence in the series.
“We can’t wait for the world to see series 1 of The Forsytes, and we’re so pleased to be getting ahead of ourselves and starting on this thrilling second series,” said Damien Timmer of production company Mammoth Screen.
Filming for the second season is already happening in Bristol and Venice, Italy. Three new actors will join the cast for season two: Richard Rankin from Outlander, Sarah Alexander from Pennyworth, and Nia Ashi from Bob Marley: One Love.
All the main cast members from the first season will return for the second season. While an exact release date for season two hasn’t been announced yet, it will likely follow a similar schedule, potentially airing in late 2026.
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How The Forsytes Compares to Other Shows
If you enjoy shows about wealthy families with complicated relationships, you might like The Forsytes. It has been compared to popular series like Downton Abbey, The Gilded Age, and Bridgerton. Like these shows, The Forsytes features beautiful period costumes, impressive houses, and stories about love and social status.
The Los Angeles Times has included The Forsytes in its list of shows to look forward to in 2026, describing it as “a meaty, cheesy and handsomely dressed — sometimes undressed — romp”. The show has been noted for having more mature content than typical PBS Masterpiece dramas, appealing to fans of shows with complex relationships and personal drama.
The series explores themes that remain relevant today: the conflict between duty and desire, the pressure of family expectations, and the challenge of maintaining both wealth and happiness. Through the experiences of the Forsyte family across different generations, the show examines how social rules and personal ambitions can clash, creating drama that resonates with modern audiences.
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