Based on John Galsworthy’s novels known collectively as “The Forsyte Saga” and adapted to television by Debbie Horsfield, PBS Masterpiece’s latest historical drama, “The Forsytes,” is a sweeping narrative revolving around love, ambition and duty. The series is set in late 19th-century London and follows four generations of the Forsytes, who have lived and thrived as members of the nouveau riche for five decades. However, as the show begins, the family’s pristine facade is just on the verge of crumbling. Intriguing and quite soapy, “The Forsytes” is a story about expectations and the courage needed to thwart them.
The series opens at a critical point in the Forsytes’ lineage. It’s 1877, and Jolyon Forsyte (Danny Griffin), affectionately called Jo, has returned home from his travels in Europe to wed Frances (Tuppence Middleton), the recently widowed queen of London’s high society and mother to her 10-year-old daughter, June (Billie Joyce). Jolyon Forsyte Sr. (Stephen Moyer) sees Jo and Frances’ union as the key to solidifying a place in the London elite. As the eldest son, Jolyon Sr. wants Jo to take over his role as chairman of the family stockbroking company, Forstyes & Company. He also wants to ensure his younger brother, James (Jack Davenport), and his son, Soames (Joshua Orpin), are in no way positioned to gain control. According to Grandma Ann (Francesca Annis), Jolyon and James’ mother, the brothers’ rivalry has simmered for decades.
Flashing forward in time 10 years, the audience meets the Forsytes again in 1887. While the tension among the Forsyte brothers and their sons, Jo and Soames, has continued to cause strife and gossip amid dinners and celebrations, other things have changed drastically. On the eve of her 18th birthday, June (now portrayed by Justine Moore) desires a love match. Still, her mother and grandfather are determined that she marry well. Even June’s favorite person, her stepfather Jo, whom she now affectionately calls Papa, isn’t able to prevent Frances and Jolyon Sr’s schemes.
Moreover, at the stockbroking firm, Jolyon Sr. is considering retirement. This prompts James and Soames to plot Jo’s ousting from the company so Soames may assume the role of chairman. Unfortunately, unlike his cousin, Soames remains a bachelor, which doesn’t bode well for becoming the face of the business. Yet, when he sets his sights on Irene Heron (Millie Gibson), a recently destitute ballerina, Soames’ outlook on marriage changes. Similarly, though Jo has long stifled his personal passions to serve his father’s ambitions, he finds himself at a crossroads. A revelation shocks him awake, making it impossible for him to continue sleepwalking through his own life.
Throughout the six-episode first season, the Forsytes, particularly Jo and Soames, who have been pitted against each other, push and pull between their personal desires and the familial and social expectations they feel obligated to meet. While the men’s choices (and strangely modern wardrobes) are interesting and often unexpected, it’s the experiences of Frances, June and Irene in particular, even when they lean a bit toward the melodramatic, that stand out in this show. For 10 years, Frances has worked diligently to become the perfect wife for Jo. However, she quickly realizes perfection and control are not sustaining attributes. For her part, June is desperate for a marriage like her parents’, but having been so sheltered by Jo and her mother, she has no tangible understanding of what life without wealth and access is like. Finally, Irene dreams of dancing on a Parisian stage, but her father’s ailing health puts her hopes in jeopardy.
Despite its more modern look, “The Forsytes” is perfectly paced and paints a majestic portrait of a family standing on the cusp of change. While all the characters have compelling storylines, the women, who can only express their desires through their attachment to men, are the most compelling. A cautionary tale about love, trust and agency, the show highlights how few resources women of the era had and what they endured to achieve a life tolerable to them. Though lovers of the previous iterations of “The Forsyte Saga,” particularly 2002’s ITV version starring Damian Lewis, will undoubtedly have criticisms of this new series (namely its hyper-modern look), Horsfield’s version of “The Forsytes” is a solidly inspired adaptation. The show, which — aired last fall in the U.K. on Channel 5 — has already filmed its second season and has been renewed for a third, meaning the drama of “The Forsytes” is only just beginning to unfold.
“The Forsytes” premieres March 22 on PBS, with new episodes dropping weekly on Sundays.
