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| Pic credit Official Poldark |
Great news!
Aidan Turner has given a commitment to play Ross in the new BBC drama Poldark for the next five years, providing the BBC gives the go-ahead to future seasons. Filming for the second series, should it run, is planned for September 2015.
One of the things that has concerned me about the new production is the BBC's ongoing commitment to it, so I was delighted to hear this news coming out of the Poldark panel at the Penzance Literary Festival yesterday. Debbie Horsfield, the screen writer and Karen Thrussell the executive producer for Poldark made up the panel. Poldark fan @purplehare9 was there and she told me the news about the commitment.
As we all know, the BBC isn't flush with money and, unlike American TV stations, often uses relatively short contracts. Aidan giving a five year commitment to Poldark shows real belief in the drama by both the actor and the BBC. Those of us who remember Aidan leaving Being Human at quite short notice can feel reassured by it.
There is, however, a sting in the tale. As @purperhare9 pointed out, there are twelve books to cover and, as Debbie Horsfield says she covers two in a series, that will leave us two books short.
So c'mon BBC. Make it six years!
Update: This story was confirmed on 20 August, 2014 by Jo Booth for Poldark who told me:
What was said
at the Penzance Literary Festival is that Aidan has committed himself to 5
series. This of course assumes that 5 series will be produced! The BBC
will only decide on future series after each series has gone out. While it's
hoped that Poldark will indeed run for 5 series, there is
absolutely no guarantees at this stage.
