THE FORSYTE SAGA, the dazzling 13-part British television drama of class, sex and power, will return to public television in 2015. Based on John Galsworthy’s novel of the same name, THE FORSYTE SAGA chronicles the lives of an English family over 34 years from the Victorian era through World War I. Superior, arrogant and confident, the Forsytes are the ultimate power family. What lies beneath is a festering core of unhappy and brutal relationships, riddled with tensions and jealousy. The stellar cast includes Damian Lewis (HOMELAND, WOLF HALL on MASTERPIECE); Ioan Gruffudd ("King Arthur," "Fantastic Four"); Corin Redgrave; Gina McKee and Rupert Graves.
The protagonist of the saga is Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis): at 31, Soames is a rich, successful partner in the family law firm. He is the original ‘man of property’ and a true believer in Forsyte family values. His fiery, tormented relationship with his beautiful wife Irene (Gina McKee), is at the heart of the saga. Her life changes forever when she meets Philip Bosinney (Ioan Gruffudd), an architect hired by Soames to build a country house, and they fall in love.
A classic of English literature, THE FORSYTE SAGA was originally published in three volumes from 1906 -1920. It painted a fascinating picture of early twentieth century London life, and helped win the author John Galsworthy the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1932. THE FORSYTE SAGA was produced by Granada Television and premiered in the U.S. in 2002 on MASTERPIECE. It has been up-converted to high definition for this new broadcast. The mini-series was originally produced by Sita Williams, with Andy Harries as executive producer. It is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment. A new DVD box set of the series will be available in June 2015.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1: airs Sunday, June 21 at 7 p.m. - The Forsyte family gathers to celebrate the engagement of Winifred Forsythe to Montague Dartie. Soames Forsyte, a rich and successful partner in the family law firm, meets penniless but beautiful and accomplished Irene Heron. Young Jolyon, who is in love with his children’s French governess, Helene, decides to leave his wife, cutting himself off from the family and forfeiting his fortune.
Episode 2: airs Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m. - Irene has agreed to marry Soames. Two years later, Soames, concerned about his marriage, hires architect Bosinney to build a country house at Robin Hill for Irene. Bosinney is the husband-to-be of June, daughter of young Jolyon Forsythe. Young Jolyon, who fell in love with his children’s governess, is surprised when his father, old Jolyon, gets back in touch.
Episode 3: airs Sunday, July 5 at 7 p.m. - Irene and Bosinney fall in love. With the exception of June and Soames, the entire family seems to know about the affair. Soames is furious and when the house costs more to build and decides to sue Bosinney.
Episode 4: airs Sunday, July 12 at 7 p.m. - Irene and Bosinney spend time together and, when she comes home late, Soames takes advantage of her unlocked bedroom door and rapes her. When Irene meets Bosinney the next day, he’s furious. As he runs through the foggy streets to confront Soames, he’s hit by a cab and killed. Old Jolyon reunites his family and they buy and move to Robin Hill.
Episode 5: airs Sunday, July 19 at 7 p.m. - Irene leaves Soames for good, leaving behind everything, including her wedding ring. June and her father, young Jolyon, reunite. Soames is in a deep depression. Five years pass and Helene (the French governess) has died. Old Jolyon meets Irene by chance and they become friends.
Episode 6: airs Sunday, July 26 at 7 p.m. - Old Jolyon dies. To the astonishment of all, he has left Irene some money. Twelve years pass. Soames marries Annette, a French woman. Dartie is gambling recklessly and cavorting with prostitutes, embarrassing the family.
Episode 7: airs Sunday, August 2 at 7 p.m. - Soames continues to be obsessed with Irene and wants to resume their marriage, since she won’t grant a divorce. She leaves for Paris to escape his harassment. Jolyon meets Irene in France and, as they spend time together, they fall in love.
Episode 8: airs Sunday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. - Soames learns that Irene and young Jolyon are together at Robin Hill and divorces Irene. Both Irene and Annette, Soames’ new wife, are pregnant. On his father’s deathbed, Soames lies, saying he has a son, though the baby’s a girl.
Episode 9: airs Sunday, Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. - The Forsyte family, including Soames and Annette’s daughter, Fleur, gathers in London when June arrives with her half-brother Jon (son of young Jolyon and Irene). Eleven years later, in 1920, Fleur and Jon meet again, unaware of their family connection.
Episode 10: airs Sunday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. - Fleur visits a farm where Jon is working. Young Jolyon, who is ill, asks Soames to stop Fleur seeing his son, but Soames was unaware of their friendship. Fleur goes to Robin Hill when Jon is away and meets his parents without divulging her identity.
Episode 11: airs Sunday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. - Jon and Fleur meet at Robin Hill and Fleur relates their parents’ history. Jolyon is still very ill and Annette is still having an affair. Fleur realizes she may have to break with Jon; her father presses her to marry Michael Mont.
Episode 12: airs Sunday, Oct. 4 at 6 p.m. - Irene, who has told her son Jon about her relationship with Soames, wants to thwart Jon and Fleur’s love affair. When Soames and Irene meet again, he recounts their history in a threatening manner. Jon tells Fleur it’s over.
Episode 13: airs Sunday, Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. - Though Fleur and Jon are in love, Fleur decides to marry Michael Mont. She shuns her father, who tells her about the fateful night when he was violent with Irene. Soames returns to Robin Hill for the last time to say a final goodbye to Irene.
The Forsyte Saga - Series Preview
"This 2002 dramatic miniseries chronicles three generations of the Forsytes
