A Poldark Primer: Getting Ready for the New Masterpiece Classic

Cafe contributing author TerryB provides all you need to know about the latest Masterpiece miniseries on PBS. You can follow Terry on Twitter as @IUPUITerry.

Poldark. Until recently, the name resonated with folks-of-a-certain age that viewed--and generally loved--the 29-episode series that appeared on PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre in the mid-1970s. Or, with fans of the 13-book series by Winston Graham, which the author began in 1945 and concluded in 2002 with his final novel Bella Poldark. 

This weekend marks the beginning, for American viewers, of the newest incarnation of Poldark: an eight-part series starring Aiden Turner (The Hobbit trilogy, the TV series Being Human) as Ross Poldark. Its broadcast earlier this year in Great Britain was received so enthusiastically that the BBC has already renewed it for a second season. This overview of the show's setting and characters will help you get ready for the first episode on Masterpiece this Sunday, June 21st.

The scenic Cornish coast.

The Setting: The Poldark saga takes place almost entirely in England’s Cornwall. Life is hard, the weather is often unforgiving, and the land is rocky and barren in most parts. Life in the southwest corner of the British Isles is, however, undergoing slow and dramatic changes. Political power and influence belongs to rich landowners and the nobility. Newly-rich merchants and bankers struggle to join the upper class. Below them are the great mass of the population--miners, farmers, fishermen, and smugglers. Class distinctions are still in force, but in flux as nearby France is tearing itself apart as the poor rise up against the government and the upper class. Change in industry, including the use of steam engines and manufacturing advances, is finding a place in the Empire. John Wesley’s Methodism and Catholicism are challenging the Church of England among the lower classes. Revolution of some sort is everywhere.

Ross Poldark – son of a landowner; member of the gentry class. Owns a small estate on the Cornish coast with mines and farmland. In the U.S., the title of the first Poldark novel was The Renegade, which suits our hero’s nature. Our story begins with Ross returning to Cornwall from the war in America to find his father dead, his fortune and house in ruins, and his fiancée about to marry another man.

Elizabeth Chenoweth – Ross left for America with the law on his heels, leaving his intended bride--one of the most beautiful women in England--with a vague promise of return. When rumors spread that Ross had been killed in America, Elizabeth (and her class-conscious mother) cast about for a new love, settling on Ross’ cousin Francis.

Francis Poldark – Ross and his cousin grew up nearly side-by-side, albeit a prickly relationship. Francis is heir to the main Poldark estate with a huge copper mine, a large income, and a large manor house. He is destined to be an important man in the county. A bit of a fop with an interest in gambling and wenching, his future begins to change when he marries his cousin’s bride-to-be.

Verity Poldark – Francis’ sister. A dowdy young woman with no marriage prospects. She has a close, sisterly relationship with her cousin Ross. Verity is resigned to managing the Poldark home, Trenwith, for her father and brother until she meets a seafaring man with a troubled past.

Charles Poldark – the elder brother of Ross’ father. A bulldog of a man, Charles takes his position as family patriarch very seriously and rules his children and estate with an iron fist.

George Warleggan – childhood classmate of the Poldark cousins and the son of merchants in Cornwall. His family has become one of the wealthiest and most powerful in the area. George is ruthless in his quest for acceptance by the aristocracy and the accumulation of money. He also covets Elizabeth.

Jud and Prudie Paynter – servants and friends of Ross’ father. Fond of drink and regularly drunk, the pair are best-suited to finding excuses not to work. Ross allows them to stay because of their relationship with his family. Jud also works part-time as a smuggler and generally finds trouble at every turn.

Demelza Carne – the daughter of an abusive, impoverished miner from a nearby village. At a local fair, she meets Ross, who hires her as a kitchen maid. Under his roof, she grows into a woman--meddlesome, impulsive, independent--with a thirst for knowledge and a strong feeling of loyalty to her employer. Demelza has a major impact on nearly everyone’s life.


For more Poldark at the Cafe, check out our review of the original Poldark series and our interview with its star Robin Ellis.

Poldark: Romance, Adventure, and First-Rate Drama in 18th Century Cornwall

Before Downton Abbey, there was Poldark. Despite having nothing in common in terms of plot and setting, these British television series share a fervid following in Great Britain and America. The difference is that Downton has benefited from today's entertainment-obsessed media. Poldark had to build its following the old-fashioned way through a few glowing reviews and word of mouth. Still, over 35 years since its original broadcast, Poldark remains immensely popular. When the Cafe included it among our 10 Must-See Classic British TV Series, Poldark fans from across the Twitterverse clamored for a review dedicated to their favorite show. So, when Acorn Media released the complete series in a value-priced DVD set on January 31st, it seemed like the ideal time to post a piece on Poldark.

Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark.

Set in late 18th century Cornwall, Winston Graham's sweeping historical drama centers on the Poldark and Warleggan families (although there are plenty of subplots involving other characters). In the opening episode, Captain Ross Poldark, supposedly killed during the American Revolution, returns home to find his father dead, his estate in ruins, and his fiancee Elizabeth about to marry his cousin. Rather than becoming bitter, the resolute Ross (Robin Ellis) sets out to get his affairs in order. His biggest challenge is Elizabeth (Jill Townsend), who still loves Ross but has developed doubts about his "dark side." Elizabeth's rejection of Ross impacts not only their lives, but ultimately those of two other key characters:  Demelza Carne (Angharad Rees), an impoverished young woman employed by Ross, and George Warleggan (Ralph Bates), the ruthless son of a nouveau riche banker.

Th rocky beaches of Cornwall.

The first Poldark series, broadcast in 1975, was based on four novels written by Winston Graham between 1945 and 1953.  Known for his historical accuracy, Graham (who also wrote the novel Marnie) was also an accomplished storyteller capable of interweaving commentary on social injustices, class differences, and politics. For example, although Ross's estate is modest compared to other landowners, it's apparent that he's considered affluent among the the poor residents of coastal Cornwall. The majority of the men work in copper mines, oblivious to the risks to their own health. They sometimes poach from the rich, even though a squalid life in prison awaits anyone who is caught. And they aren't above plundering the wreckage of any ship that washes ashore the rocky beaches ("There be pickings for all!"). Even Ross, weighed down by his own debts, agrees to hide smuggled goods for money.

The first season of Poldark was intended to be the only one, but the series' immense success--coupled with two more Graham novels published in 1973 and 1976--prompted Poldark 2. The original cast returned, except for Richard Morant who had played the emotionally-scarred Dr. Dwight Enys (he was replaced by Michael Cadman). Although the second season was shorter than the first (13 episodes instead of 16), the producers recognized the need for a longer storyline and asked Graham to write a third novel while the series was in production. Hence, The Angry Tide was published in 1977, the same year that Poldark 2 debuted on television.

Jill Townsend as Elizabeth.

The second season, while still revolving around the Poldarks and Warleggans, expands the storylines for its supporting characters even more. The middle episodes are based on The Four Swans, my favorite of the novels. The title refers to four central female characters:  Elizabeth, whose attempts to save her marriage end in tragedy; Demelza, who questions her faithfulness to Ross; Elizabeth's cousin Morwenna (Jane Wymark), whom George marries off to the pompous, self-centered Osborne Whitworth though she loves another man; and Lady Caroline (Judy Geeson), a wealthy young woman who struggles to create a life of contentment with Dwight. If these subplots sound soapish, it's only because I've done a poor job describing them. Graham's ability to create vivid, interesting characters makes Poldark addictive (but in a good way).

Like many fine series, Poldark benefits from the presence of a strong protagonist and a worthy nefarious adversary. Ross Poldark, while often heroic, struggles to overcome his flaws. He is quick to defend the downtrodden and never turns his back on friends in need. However, he sometimes lets his temper get the best of him, is not above ignoring the law, and--in one instance--commits a questionable act that threatens the happiness of the two women he loves.

A smug greeting from George.

In contrast, George Warleggan is a greedy man who embraces grudges and shows little consideration to others. Yet, he truly loves his wife (though he married her for the wrong reason) and remains sensitive to his status as a nouveau riche gentleman among elitists. Still, he is unquestionably a villain, as evidenced by his treatment of Aunt Agatha Poldark, an elderly woman kept alive by one thing: her 100th birthday party. When the spiteful George learns that she will really be only 99, he cancels the celebration. The disappointment drives Agatha to her death, but not before she exacts a horrible revenge on George.

Angharad Rees as Demelza.

The Poldark cast is practically perfect (though, like many fans, I prefer Richard Morant as Dwight and missed him in the second season). Robin Ellis, Angharad Rees, and Ralph Bates are all superb--and I've subsequently sought them out in other roles (e.g., Ellis in The Europeans, Rees in Hands of the Ripper, and Bates in several Hammer films). Today, Ellis lives with his wife Meredith in France and has written a popular cookbook for diabetics (click here for our interview with him). Angharad Rees designs jewelry and sells it online. Ralph Bates died in 1991 at the age of 51.

Since I first watched Poldark with my mother and sister on Masterpiece Theatre in the 1970s, I've shown it to college roommates, my wife, my in-laws...practically anyone I could talk into it. The result is always the same: Watch one episode and you're hooked. I can't think of a better endorsement for any television series.

Acorn Media provided a copy of the DVD boxed set for this review.

10 Must-See Classic British TV Series (Part 1 of 3)

All this month, the Cafe will pay tribute to classic British televison of the late 1960s and 1970s. We could easily devote six months to this endeavor, because it was such  a rich period for British TV. Some of the series we'll be highlighting were shown on U.S. commercial networks, many appeared on PBS, and a handful could be seen only on local stations in America. Some of our posts will focus on certain genres (e.g., those snappy spy series) and others will highlight specific series. That said, we'll start this month showering some Yankee love on ten classic British series that everyone should see! So, here's the first installment in our three-part series on must-see British shows.

Poldark – Set in late 18^th century Cornwall, Winston Graham’s sweeping historical drama centers on the Poldark and Warleggan families. The opening episode establishes a gripping premise. Captain Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis), supposedly killed during the American Revolution, returns to his home to find his father dead, his estate in ruins, massive debts, and his fiancée about to marry his cousin. While Ross’s story dominates the early part of the series, Poldark evolves into an ensemble saga populated by rich characters portrayed by a first-rate cast (e.g., Ellis, Angharad Rees, Ralph Bates, Jill Townsend, etc.). Graham’s script also comments on the social injustices and political ploys of the period. The breath-taking Cornish cliffs and beaches are an added bonus. Poldark ran for 29 episodes over 1975-77 and covered the first seven Poldark novels (all that had been written to that date). Both seasons are available on DVD from Acorn Media. Different producers mounted a new Poldark in 1996, based on an eighth novel, but it featured a different cast and never found a following.

Upstairs, Downstairs –  As part of the 35^th anniversary of PBS’s Masterpiece Theatre in 2006, viewers chose Upstairs, Downstairs as their favorite series (my choice, Poldark, was seventh). The series spanned 27 years in the lives of the Bellamy family and their servants at 165 Eaton Place in the Belgravia district of London. Starting in 1903, the series addressed political unrest in Europe, the suffragette movement, World War I, the stock market crash, and even the sinking of the Titanic (which plays a small, but very significant, part on the plotline). However, the majority of the drama focused on the relationships among and between the Bellamy family and their servants. The superb cast is anchored by:  Gordon Jackson as Hudson (the Scottish butler and senior staff member); Jean Marsh as Rose (the parlor maid and later a lady’s maid); and David Langdon as Richard Bellamy (the head of the family); and Angela Baddeley as Mrs. Bridges (the cook). Upstairs, Downstairs won numerous awards in Great Britain and the U.S., where it earned Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series in 1974, 1975 and 1977. A 1979 spin-off, Thomas and Sarah, followed two characters that left Eaton Place—but the tone was very different and it fizzled quickly. In August 2010, Jean Marsh starred in an updated version of Upstairs, Downstairs, set in 1936. It was popular enough to earn additional seasons, but I think it lacks the sparkle of the original.

Lord Peter Wimsey – Dorothy L. Sayers’ Wimsey mysteries have been adapted for television several times. In my opinion, the best version remains the 1972-75 series with Ian Carmichael as Lord Peter and Glyn Houston as his versatile valet Bunter. Sayers purists may quibble that Carmichael was too old for the part, but he still projects just the right amount of intelligence, likability, and upper-class manners. Set in the 1920s and 1930s, the multi-part mysteries range from superb (The Nine Tailors) to good (Five Red Herrings). The series excels at capturing Great Britain at a transitional period between the two World Wars, from the flapper lifestyle and gentleman clubs in London to the country gentry and rural impoverished villagers.  Carmichael and Houston (who played Bunter in four of the five) make a fine pair of inquisitive amateur sleuths, their relationship a combination of mutual respect, professional pride, and friendship.

Robin Ellis Talks with the Café about "Poldark" and His New Cookbook for Diabetics

Robin Ellis as Ross Poldark in 1975.

The Museum of Broadcast Communications once dubbed Poldark "one of the most successful British television dramas of all time." Such high praise masks the fact that Poldark was an immensely entertaining, well-made historical drama set in Cornwall in the late 18th century. Based on the novels of Winston Graham, the 29-episode series appeared in 1975-77 on the BBC in the United Kingdom and on Masterpiece Theatre in the United States.

Chef, author, and actor
Robin Ellis today.

Although an ensemble drama, the cast was anchored by Robin Ellis, who played Captain Ross Poldark. He catapulted to fame as the series' rugged, dashing hero. Over the last 34 years, Ellis has enjoyed a successful career in television, film, and stage. Diagnosed with type II diabetes several years ago, he recently wrote a cookbook for diabetics: Delicious Dishes for Diabetics: Eating Well with Type-2 Diabetes. Robin Ellis graciously agreed to an interview with the Café.

Café:  It’s been 36 years since Poldark was originally broadcast. It still has a strong fan base and attracts new viewers on DVD. What do you think is the key to its enduring popularity?

Robin:  It had the advantage of being adapted from a successful series of novels written by Winston Graham while he was living and bringing up a family in Cornwall. The stories grow from the characters' development and feel authentic--and they are good stories that don't seem to date. There's the added plus of Cornwall itself which is very photogenic.

Café:  What was your favorite Poldark storyline?

Robin:  Good question--it has to be the developing Demelza-Ross-Elizabeth story. I also enjoyed Ross' fights for the underdog against the establishment.

Café:  When the eighth Winston Graham Poldark novel, The Stranger from the Sea, was adapted for TV in 1996, were you approached to play Ross again?

Robin:  I was--but it didn't work out. Disappointing for us as it would have been fascinating to play the same characters twenty years on.

Robin poses with Anne Kelleher
of Acorn Media.

Café:  Donald Douglas, who played your nemesis Captain McNeil in Poldark lives near your home in France. Do you stay in touch with other Poldark cast members?

Robin:  I see Donald very regularly. Living in France makes it more difficult. We've been in contact with Richard Morant--the first Dr. Enis--recently and I occasionally bump into Angharad (Demelza) when we are in the UK. Christopher Benjamin (Sir Hugh Bodrugan) has family down here in France, so we see him from time to time. Dear Ralph Bates (George Warleggan) died twenty years ago and Jill Townsend (Elizabeth) lives in California. Some of us used to go to the annual lunch of the Poldark Appreciation Society--an unofficial reunion--but they haven't happened since the nineties.

Café:  You’ve done a lot of film and television work in addition to Poldark, including Fawlty Towers and Merchant & Ivory’s The Europeans. What are some of your favorite non-Poldark roles?

Robin:  I played the Earl of Essex in Elizabeth R with Glenda Jackson--a wonderful experience. Colonel Hammond in A King and his Keeper--a dualogue between Charles the First and his jailer set on the Isle of Wight--opposite the great Alan Badel (playing the King). The lead in Bel Ami by Maupassant for the BBC was a challenge--not least because I had to live with a red perm for months! The musical She Loves Me also for the Beeb was also fun with the lovely Gemma Craven. Meredith says the best thing I did was Ford Maddox Ford's The Good Soldier for Granada with Jeremy Brett and Susan Fleetwood. I spent a very happy year at Stratford in between the two series of Poldark.

Meredith and Robin.

Café:  How did you and your wife Meredith meet?

Robin:  We met in New York City--she interviewed me for NBC-TV when WGBH Boston flew English actors over for the 15th anniversary of Masterpiece Theatre.

Café:  I’ve read that you bought your home in France on the day you saw it. What attracted you to it?

Robin:  It was a "coup de foudre"--(love at first sight)! I just knew that it was where I wanted to be--though we barely knew where it was. Hard to explain that...

Café:  Was there a history of diabetes in your family?

Robin:  Yes--my mother developed type 1 in her late thirties. So I knew about it and that it was something you have to take seriously. The problem is that with type 2, which I have, there are no obvious symptoms, so it's hard for people to believe that there is a problem.

The new cookbook.

Café:  What inspired you to publish your recipes in your new book Delicious Dishes for Diabetics: Eating Well with Type-2 Diabetes?

Robin:  I have cooked for years and collected recipes for years--my mother did the same. We were eating reasonably healthily when I was diagnosed 12 years ago and I realised that with some adjustments to my way of eating I had a good number of recipes already that were suitable for the condition. Then the idea of trying to interest a publisher came up.

Café:  This is a question for Meredith: What is your favorite dish that Robin prepares?

Meredith:  That's a difficult question! Which is your favorite child??! His salmon fishcakes are light (no potato!) and delicious in summer. In winter for comfort food I love his soups--especially a minestrone that includes pancetta. One of his big company dishes that we have for parties is a spicy fish curry--we've even had that for Christmas lunch! His recipe for mussels (a tomato & garlic sauce) is delicious too-- though it always depends on getting good mussels. One of his best sauces is walnut and garlic that is served with duck. His cookbook is really a collection of the dishes we eat year 'round. I like them all in their right season.

Café:  Finally, what’s on the horizon for the Ellis Family—any other books, television appearances, etc.?

Robin: A busy time for sure! I am blogging most days about food, cooking and life in rural France. I'm working with a publisher in California to re-issue Making Poldark--a memoir which I have updated. The cookbook, Delicious Dishes for Diabetics, officially comes out in the United States on November 1st and we're planning a trip to New York, Washington, DC and Chicago to promote it. It was recently ranked number one in its category on Amazon.com which was thrilling. I enjoyed doing one of the original Swedish Wallenders and am open to acting offers (actors rarely retire!). Thanks, Rick, for inviting me to the Classic Film & TV Café!

For more on Robin Ellis, check out his blog at http://robin-ellis.net/ and his Facebook page by clicking here. You can also follow him on Twitter as @RobinPoldark.