Poldark is a television drama based on Winston Graham's novels of the same title. It was first transmitted on BBC Two across two seasons between 1975 and 1977. The adaptation covered all seven novels (of the eventual twelve) published up to the time. In late 18th-century Cornwall, Ross Poldark loses his fiancée, well-bred beauty Elizabeth, to his cousin Francis. He ends up marrying his servant, Demelza Carne, but his passion for Elizabeth simmers on for years. Meanwhile, he strives to make his derelict copper mines a success. Life is hard, smuggling is rife, and Ross finds himself taking the side of the underclass against the ruthless behaviour of his enemies, the greedy Warleggan clan.

Cast & crew

W

Winston Graham

Creator

Robin Ellis

Ross Poldark

Jill Townsend

Elizabeth Warleggan

Angharad Rees

Demelza Poldark

Ralph Bates

George Warleggan

P

Paul Curran

Jud Paynter

M

Mary Wimbush

Prudie Paynter

Judy Geeson

Caroline Penvenen

Clive Francis

Francis Poldark

Forbes Collins

Zacky Martin

Kevin McNally

Drake Carne

D

David Delve

Sam Carne

N

Norma Streader

Verity Poldark

Richard Morant

Dr Dwight Enys

M

Michael Cadman

Dr Dwight Enys

Jane Wymark

Morwenna Carne

Shelagh Wilcocks

Mrs Tabb

J

John Baskcomb

Nat Pearce

Christopher Benjamin

Sir Hugh Bodrugan

S

Stefan Gates

Geoffrey Charles Poldark

Ralph Nossek

Harris Pascoe

Seasons

29 episodes

Series 11975 · 16 episodes

Series 21977 · 13 episodes