Aidan Turner stars as the courageous Cornishman in an all-new new season special two-hour premiere at 8 p.m. Sept. 25.
Neither pestilence, starvation, nor betrayal can stop Ross Poldark from fighting for justice in his native Cornwall. Aidan Turner ("The Hobbit") returns as the ex-officer, class warrior, lover, and mining entrepreneur, called by The New York Times “the noblest, hottest, most down-to-earth hero.” Season 2 of POLDARK airs on MASTERPIECE in nine gripping new episodes, this fall on PBS.
Also back is co-star Eleanor Tomlinson (DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY), playing Demelza, the miner’s daughter who is Ross’ equal in passion, wit, and daring — which is, of course, why they marry.
Critics gave a warm reception to Poldark’s first season, with Variety writing that “MASTERPIECE has unearthed another gem,” and Entertainment Weekly urging readers to “make an appointment with your TV to tune into Poldark.” The Philadelphia Inquirer marveled at the title character: “He’s a cross between Robin Hood and Batman.”
The returning cast includes Heida Reed ("One Day") as Ross’ first love, Elizabeth, who broke his heart by marrying his duplicitous cousin Francis, played with intriguing ambiguity by Kyle Soller ("Anna Karenina"). Also back are Jack Farthing (POIROT) as George Warleggan, the arch-villain who would rather see Ross dead, a situation he does his best to arrange; along with Philip Davis (WHITE TEETH) and Beatie Edney ("Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day") as Ross’ exasperating servants, Jud and Prudie Paynter.
New this season — or thrust into prominence from last — are Gabriella Wilde ("Endless Love") as Caroline Penvenen, a flirtatious young heiress under the watchful eye of her rich uncle, Ray, played by John Nettles (MIDSOMER MURDERS); Luke Norris (TITANIC) as earnest young doctor Dwight Enys, who only has time for his patients — and for Caroline; and Henry Garrett ("Zero Dark Thirty") as Captain McNeil, Ross’ old comrade from the war, now hunting smugglers and an opportunity to woo a certain married lady.
All of these characters inhabit the imaginative world created by Winston Graham in his bestselling “Poldark” novels, published between 1945 and 2002. Comprising an even dozen volumes, the epic commences in 1783, as British officer Ross Poldark returns to Cornwall, fresh from the American Revolutionary War. MASTERPIECE’s POLDARK, Season 2 takes the plot into Graham’s fourth volume, “Warleggan.”
Viewers of the first season will recall that Ross shocks his relatives and neighbors when he shows up from America, since all had presumed him dead. Then he sets about upending their lives — threatening the copper mining interests of his uncle and cousin, Charles and Francis Poldark, and the rival operation of upstart George Warleggan. He is also ensnared in a romantic web that connects him, Francis, and George to the beautiful Elizabeth. Nevertheless, Ross happily marries Demelza and they have a daughter. But in the final episode of Season1, an epidemic takes the child away, and a shipwreck and drowning are blamed on Ross.
So at the start of Season 2, Ross stands accused of murder and “wrecking” — luring a cargo ship to the rocks for plunder. It’s a capital offense, the judge is unsympathetic, hostile witnesses have been bribed and Ross appears headed for the gallows. It’s just the first in a string of suspenseful episodes every bit as precipitous as the steep cliffs of Cornwall.
EPISODE GUIDE:
Episode 1 airs Sunday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. - George rolls out plan A to take care of Ross once and for all. Ross resists all attempts to save him. Francis takes a desperate step. Demelza tries to influence a hanging judge.
Episode 2 airs Sunday, Oct. 2 at 9 p.m. - George tries plan B against Ross. Jud pays a steep price for treachery. Francis has a meeting of minds with his cousin. Demelza breaks difficult news.
Episode 3 airs Sunday, Oct. 16 at 9 p.m. - Smugglers make Ross an offer. Ross makes Francis an offer. Verity reappears. Ross and George engage in a frank discussion. Demelza risks her neck before a blessed event.
Episode 4 airs Sunday, Oct. 23 at 9 p.m. - George maneuvers Poldark toward checkmate. The law hunts down free traders. Caroline chooses between Unwin and Dwight. Francis goes missing.
Episode 5 airs Sunday, Oct. 30 at 9 p.m. - Ross does Elizabeth a favor. A mysterious benefactor reciprocates. The search is on for Mark, who knows where secret riches lie. George starts plan C against Ross.
Episode 6 airs Sunday, Nov. 6 at 9 p.m. - A fugitive points the way to riches. Ross and the free traders sail into a trap. Caroline and Dwight hatch a plan. Demelza faces house arrest.
Episode 7 airs Sunday, Nov. 13 at 9 p.m. - For once, Ross plays the game he despises. George is on the brink of success. The copper mine yields a glimpse of hope. Ross reaches a breaking point.
Episode 8 airs Sunday, Nov. 20 at 9 p.m. - Demelza and Ross wage bitter war. Elizabeth postpones a big event. Demelza toys with temptation. Ross’s good deed is repaid. Lady luck pays a visit.
Episode 9 airs Sunday, Nov. 27 at 9 p.m. - The wars tempt Ross and Dwight. An enraged mob threatens George and Elizabeth. Caroline and Dwight have a fateful reunion. Ross and Demelza confront their demons.
WATCH POLDARK SEASON 1 ON DEMAND:
Did you miss the entire first season and want to catch up before Season 2 begins airing on Sunday, Sept. 25? Feed your binge watching desires with KPBS Passport, video streaming for members ($60 yearly), using your computer, smartphone or tablet. We now offer Passport videos on ROKU! Activate your KPBS Passport account today! Already activated? Start watching POLDARK Season 1 now!
CONNECT:
MASTERPIECE is on Facebook, and you can follow @masterpiecepbs on Twitter. #FreePoldark #PoldarkPBS
CREDITS:
A Mammoth Screen production for the BBC and MASTERPIECE. Based on the novels by Winston Graham, it is written and created for television by Debbie Horsfield, produced by Margaret Mitchell and directed by Will Sinclair, Charles Palmer and Richard Senior. The executive producers are Debbie Horsfield, Karen Thrussell and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, Elizabeth Kilgarriff for the BBC and Rebecca Eaton for MASTERPIECE. It is distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment.
