Episodes

Series 5

Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark  Photo: BBC

Episode 1/8
Sunday 14 July, 2019  9-10 pm BBC One

The Poldarks look forward to life together in peace, but a plea from Ross’ old Army Colonel, Ned Despard (Vincent Regan), compels him to the capital to help. As Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) manages their affairs in Cornwall she encounters disenchantment and a new opponent, Tess (Sofia Oxenham). George (Jack Farthing) meanwhile struggles to engage with the world after Elizabeth’s death and it falls to Cary (Pip Torrens) to expand the family empire as Valentine (Woody Norman) struggles to find his place within it.

Arriving in London, Ross (Aidan Turner) finds it gripped with paranoia and is determined to save Ned from the conspiracy that imprisoned him. George enters into an alliance with a merchant behind Ned’s imprisonment, Ralph Hanson (Peter Sullivan),  whose business is in upholding the slave trade. Meanwhile, Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise) decides to follow in Ross’s footsteps and enter the military but also finds himself drawn to Cecily Hanson (Lily Dodsworth-Evans), Ralph’s daughter. As George’s grief leads the Warleggans into uncharted and worrying territory, Ross discovers a grave plot and is urged to heroism, while Demelza is forced into action herself back at home.

Tom York and Harry Richardson as Sam  and Drake Carne  Photo: BBC

Episode 2/8
Sunday 21 July, 2019  9-10 pm BBC One
Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) and the children join Ross (Aidan Turner)  in London but his dogged pursuit of Ned’s vindication finds them caught in a dangerous web. An ennobled George (Jack Farthing) pursues the fruits of his new alliance but his lingering grief has unexpected consequences. As Ned (Vincent Regan) confronts the man responsible for his downfall, Demelza fears they’re entangled with forces beyond their ability to overcome, and Dwight’s (Luke Norris) expertise on insanity and honourable intentions unwittingly place him and his friends on shaky ground.
Meanwhile, Drake (Harry Richardson) and Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) continue with tentative steps forward in their affection as Valentine’s spirit grows wilful in neglect, and Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise) learns he must tread carefully if he’s to gain Cecily’s father’s favour. As Sam (Tom York) becomes a target of Tess’ machinations, a figure from Ned’s Honduran past may hold the key to clearing his name. Ross’ party face unexpected complications in championing Ned’s cause, however, and Ross find himself in a compromising situation. One that will shadow him wherever he goes. 

Photo: BBC

Episode 3/8
Sunday 28 July, 2019  9-10 pm BBC One
Ross’ (Aidan Turner) tenacity in helping Ned (Vincent Regan) bears fruit, but not without cost. Hanson’s (Peter Sullivan) presence in Cornwall raises suspicion and as Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) wrestles with how best to equip the community to look after itself, Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) lends herself to the cause and finds new hope.

Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise)and Cecily’s (Lily Dodsworth-Evans) relationship continues to blossom whilst her father Ralph pursues an arrangement with George (Jack Farthing), but George’s sanity continues to deteriorate and Cary (Pip Torrens) struggles under mounting responsibilities. Bored of being neglected, Valentine (Woody Norman)  decides to break out of Trenwith in search of new friends. Meanwhile, the Enyses look to challenge the county’s high society by hosting a ball to introduce the Despards, before disaster strikes and Ross and Ned must rise into heroic action together.

Episode 4/8
Sunday 4 August, 2019  9-10 pm BBC One

Ross is given hope for the Despards’ return to Honduras but finds his new nemesis Ralph Hanson has returned to Truro. Demelza continues to help the community help itself, and Dwight gains unexpected patients but his absences from home have unforeseen consequences. Morwenna, still struggling with the loss of her son, starts to secretly slip away from the village, leaving Drake to wonder where she goes.

Sam and Rosina become close as Rosina starts to lend a hand with the school, Geoffrey Charles and Cecily continue meeting in secret but discovering the nature of Ralph and Cary’s business plan leaves them in turmoil. Meanwhile, Ralph enlists some help from Tess, and disgruntled locals to set a plot in motion to undo the Despards and the Poldarks in turn.

Episode 5/8
Sunday 11 August, 2019  9-10 pm BBC One

Ross returns to London with the Despards and Enyses in the hope of securing Ned and Kitty’s return to Honduras at last. When the banks start issuing paper notes instead of gold, Demelza finds herself thrown into unchartered waters with her workers and the locals, which Tess and Jacka take advantage of. Morwenna tackles the grief of being parted from her son, and Drake goes to extreme lengths to ease her suffering. Meanwhile, Geoffrey Charles makes plain his intent to marry Cecily, landing them both in trouble.

George gives his maiden speech in parliament, lending support to the slavery underpinning his new business venture with Hanson. Ross must take a stand against him, but Ned’s headstrong nature works against them both. As George conspires once again against his old enemy, his allies enact a plan to destroy their opposition for good.

Episode 6/8
Sunday 18 August, 2019  9-10 pm BBC One

Ross (Aidan Turner) fights for Ned’s (Vincent Regan) liberty as the Warleggans, shunned by society after George’s (Jack Farthing) humiliation in the House, prepare to marry George to Cecily (Lily Dodsworth Evans).

Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise) hatches a daring plan to save her.

Drake (Harry Richardson) and Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) enjoy wedded bliss, but Sam (Tom York) finds his growing attachment to Rosina (Amelia Clarkson) usurped by Tess’s (Sofia Oxenham) claim to seek a purer life.

Ross determines to free Ned by any means, but suspects there is a traitor among his allies. While Ned’s fate hangs in the balance, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) must conquer betrayal at home and Ross’s own life comes under threat.

Episode 7/8
Sunday 25 August, 2019  8-9 pm BBC One

When Ross (Aidan Turner) discovers that his nemesis is linked to a national security threat in Cornwall, he returns to London with Dwight (Luke Norris), Kitty (Kerri McLean) and Caroline (Gabriella Wilde), who puts her insecurities aside to oppose Merceron (Tim Dutton) in high society.

Ross is dismissed by Wickham, and Caroline is threatened against supporting Kitty’s campaign, as Geoffrey Charles (Freddie Wise) and Cecily (Lily Dodsworth Evans) seek Ross’s help in escaping her family.

The party flee London in secret to secure the lovers a future, but Merceron’s reach spans the globe - and our heroes’ enemies follow swiftly in their wake...

Episode 8/8Monday 26 August, 2019  8.30-9.30 pm, BBC One

The covert invasion adds a general to their ranks, as Ross (Aidan Tuner) seeks the means to foil the plot and prove Merceron (Tim Dutton) and Hanson (Peter Sullivan) are involved.

But his refusal to involve Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) opens old wounds and insecurities, and the suspicion of a romantic motivation. With everything on the line, George (Jack Farthing) must wrestle his prejudice for the sake of saving lives, as the fate of Cornwall hangs in the balance.

Ross's actions redeem him with the crown, and as Drake (Harry Richardson) and Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) start an adventure in parenthood and Sam (Tom York) and Rosina (Amelia Clarkson) are husband and wife, Ross’s abilities are put to use overseas for King and country.

Source: BBC Media Cnetre

Series 4

Tom York as Sam Carne  Photo: BBC

Episode 1/8
Sunday 10 June, 2018 9-10 pm

Prime Minister Pitt (Edward Bennett) calls an election and uncertainty grips the country.

While Ross watches Cornwall suffer under the power of Truro’s MP, George Warleggan (Jack Farthing), Demelza’s infidelity leaves her torn between her husband and a lovesick Hugh, who is set to rival George in the upcoming election.

The Enyses contemplate having a child and Elizabeth seeks the same to secure her marriage. Meanwhile, Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) uses Osborne’s (Christian Brassington) affair with her sister Rowella (Esme Coy) to keep the reverend’s advances at bay, and Demelza seeks to reconcile rival local Lords Falmouth and Basset.

A corn riot erupts in Truro, and Zacky’s (Tristan Sturrock) son Jago (Jack Riddiford) leads the charge. Sam Carne (Tom York) and Drake Carne (Harry Richardson) attempt to dissuade him but arrive too late, and a merchant is killed in the fighting. Tom Harry (Turlough Convery) tells George that the Carnes and Jago murdered the man, and Ross finds himself powerless to save his brothers-in-law...

Sam Carne (Tom York)and Tom Harry (Turlough Convery)  Photo: BBC

Episode 2/8

Sunday 17 June, 2018  9-10 pm BBC One

Hugh’s worsening health threatens his chance to stand in the election however, and the prospect of him remaining in Cornwall adds pressure to the Poldark’s fragile marriage. At the Sawle Feast, Tom Harry (Turlough Convery) challenges Sam (Tom York) to a wrestling match. When Emma (Ciara Charteris) offers herself as the prize, Sam accepts.

To everyone’s horror Hugh continues to worsen and remains unfit to stand in the election. Falmouth offers the candidacy to Ross (Aidan Turner) but will he accept?

Episode 3/8

Sunday 24 June, 2018  9-10 pm BBC One

Ross makes his maiden speech in parliament and finds himself a little notoriety in London, where he also re-unites with a now adolescent Geoffrey Charles (Louis Davison) at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.

In Cornwall, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) contends with a failing mine and fixing Drake’s (Harry Richardson) broken heart. Dwight (Luke Norris) and Caroline (Gabriella Wilde) welcome a baby daughter, Sarah, into the world - but Dwight’s happiness is short-lived as he makes a disturbing diagnosis.

Ossie (Christian Brassington) meanwhile tends to a dying parishioner, Nathaniel Pearce (Mike Burnside), who confesses to losing his clients’ money on bad investments, money secured in Pascoe’s bank. Ossie takes the information to the Warleggans in the hope of selling the information to help pay for his Rowella (Esme Coy) habit.

George (Jack Farthing) hosts an extravagant party at Trenwith in the hope of buying his way back into Parliament, via purchasing a borough. His new friend, the dangerous socialite Monk Adderley (Max Bennett), makes the necessary introductions to set George on his way.

Episode 4/8

Sunday 1 July, 2018 9-10 pm BBC One

Lord Falmouth urges Ross to return to Westminster as George's alliance with Adderley gives him the opportunity to purchase a borough of his own.

Dwight tells Caroline some devastating news about Sarah.

Ossie is seen visiting Rowella by her husband Arthur, who grows suspicious.

When Wheal Grace's miners blast into Wheal Maiden's tunnels it results in a disastrous flood, forcing Ross, Sam and Dwight into acts of heroism.

Emma returns to give Sam her answer, whilst Drake is persuaded into courting Rosina.

Ross remains in Cornwall and decides to plough his savings into resurrecting the mine rather than allow it to close and impoverish his employees. He then bids farewell to his family, confident in Demelza's ability to govern in his absence. However, unbeknownst to Ross, George has secured the borough of St Michael, and with it his own return to Westminster.

Episode 5/8

Sunday 8 July, 2018 9-10 pm BBC One

With rising grain prices across the country working men struggle to support their families. To his frustration, Ross’ efforts in Westminster meet successive failures and he is advised to take a more sly approach.

In Cornwall, Demelza’s match-making continues successfully and Drake and Rosina are engaged. Ossie meanwhile hires a sterner nurse to remove John Conan from Morwenna permanently, and continues calling on Rowella while her husband Arthur visits his parents.

In London, Ross attempts to make Caroline deal with her grief but finds her in the orbit of Monk Adderley, who only helps her ignore it. Tensions between Adderley and Ross rise again.

Ross pitches a plan to Falmouth for landowners to top up their employees’ wages and Falmouth forces Ross to compromise his principles in return for Falmouth backing his plan. Ross and Basset return to Cornwall to trial the scheme...

Episode 6/8
Sunday 15 July, 2018 9-10 pm BBC One

Nathaniel Pearce’s death reveals how he embezzled Pascoe’s clients funds. Aware of this, the Warleggans plan Pascoe’s collapse. In London, Ross finds Geoffrey Charles led astray by Monk Adderley and steers his nephew from trouble before telling Elizabeth. Sam convinces Drake to return from exile following his abandonment of Rosina and Morwenna has devastating news...

Dwight meanwhile helps in the development of Truro’s infirmary as Ross, Geoffrey Charles and Caroline return to Cornwall. Drake returns to the village with Sam, who threatens retribution on any who attack his brother and Caroline is reunited with Dwight. Demelza’s plan to restore public faith by paying in money to Pascoe’s fails sending Ross on an urgent mission imploring Basset for help.

At the infirmary’s opening celebration, George gloats over Pascoe’s ruination and he and Ross come to a head. Elizabeth meanwhile has something to confide to George and Ross decides to take Demelza to London with him.

Episode 7/8

Sunday 22 July, 2018 9-10 pm BBC One

The Poldarks, Enyses and Warleggans enjoy London’s distractions. George dotes on Elizabeth, delighting at the prospect of an heir, and announcing plans to host a charity ball.

Demelza’s attempts to divert Adderley’s attentions only manage to encourage him. Ross’s fury at this boils over in Westminster, and, having been manhandled, Adderley challenges Ross to a duel which Ross accepts.

Meanwhile Geoffrey Charles inadvertently rocks Elizabeth and George's new-found marital harmony.

Episode 8/8
Sunday 29 July, 2018 9-10 pm BBC One

Elizabeth obtains a tonic designed to induce an early labour, hoping to persuade George that Valentine is his child once and for all - but the Warleggans' rift is plain as they return to Cornwall. Ross returns to Cornwall to mend things with Demelza, realising he killed Adderley because he could not kill Hugh.

Morwenna seeks out Drake and this time Elizabeth does not seek to intervene - but when George returns home to find Morwenna with Elizabeth in Trenwith, he banishes Morwenna from the estate.

Spurred by George’s ferocity, Elizabeth takes her potion and a painful labour commences. Dwight is on hand, but when Ross hears of Elizabeth’s continuing ailment he rides immediately to Trenwith.

Series 3

Episode 1/9
Sunday 11 June, 2017 9-10 pm
Ross throws himself into repairing his relationship with Demelza but Elizabeth’s pregnancy hangs over the couple.
Caroline’s dying uncle, Ray, wishes for her future to be secured by marriage, unaware she is secretly engaged to Dwight Enys. At Nampara, Demelza’s brother Drake requests Demelza return to their dying father and, at Trenwith, George reveals to Cary his plan to separate Geoffrey Charles from Elizabeth ahead of his heir’s arrival. Following the opening of the Warleggan Bank, he employs Morwenna Chynoweth, Elizabeth’s cousin, as a governess for the boy. Geoffrey Charles and Ross bond over their hatred of George.

Episode 2/9
Sunday 18 June,  9-10pm

George courts Sir Francis Basset for the vacant magistracy position and Ross is reintroduced to Tholly Tregirls, an old friend of his father’s and a ne’er-do-well who has returned to the area.Verity returns to Trenwith, awaiting word from her husband Andrew, whose ship is en route to Lisbon and Elizabeth feels the sting of Morwenna and Geoffrey Charles’ connection. After Valentine is christened, having seen Morwenna as they pass, Drake suggests the church to Sam as a place for the Methodists to worship.
George informs Verity and Caroline of a recent naval battle and, distraught, they inform Demelza and Ross.

Episode 3/9
Sunday 25 June, 9-10 pm
Ross and Tholly meet their contact Jacques Clisson in France and Sam leads a large congregation of Methodists in song outside the church walls.
Despite George’s promise to be generous to his tenants to further his ambition of becoming a burgess, he revokes the Methodist’s property lease. Clisson drives a hard bargain with Ross for his information and George leads Caroline to expect the worst regarding Dwight.
Ross is ordered to leave Roscoff under threat of execution and Morwenna and Drake share a moment of intimacy on the beach. The Methodists petition Elizabeth to give them the meeting house back and Geoffrey Charles reveals to Drake that Morwenna is fond of him.
Ross decides he cannot abandon his mission and sends Tholly home alone and Elizabeth tells George of the Methodists’ visit but unites with him on learning of their connection to the Poldarks.
The Warleggans move to their house in Truro and Demelza, angered by Ross’ decision to linger in France, gifts Sam’s flock a storehouse on Nampara land.

Episode 4/9
Sunday 2 July, 9-10 pm

A grain ship is raided by starving villagers and George sentences the peasants harshly. Demelza gives birth to a daughter, Clowance, and George decides to host a Christmas party to court the gentry.

Drake arrives at Trenwith with toads for Geoffrey Charles and flowers for Morwenna, and Caroline learns that the admiralty is arranging the release of the British officers - but Ross is not convinced. He laments the loss of Wheal Leisure to George, seeing miners broken by the terms of their labour.
Morwenna and Geoffrey Charles are to spend Christmas in Truro and Drake and Morwenna almost kiss before Geoffrey Charles interrupts. Demelza cautions Morwenna against a relationship with Drake while, in Quimper, Armitage assists Dwight in treating prisoners. Ross decides to fetch Agatha to the christening party and finds his aunt neglected.

Episode 5/9
Sunday 9 July, 9-10 pm
With the French Royalists preparing an invasion, Caroline is hopeful for Dwight’s release.

Ross, on the other hand, suspects the Royalist’s plan may place Dwight in greater danger. Meanwhile, George conspires to attend Lord Falmouth’s gathering in order to further his plan of being considered for Parliament and manipulates his new acquaintance, Osborne Whitworth, into securing an invitation.
Agatha warns Morwenna to cut off her relationship with Drake before George discovers it and punishes one or both of them, and George learns that Ross is also being considered for Parliament, rousing him to discredit Ross at all costs. 

Episode 6/9
Sunday 16 July, 9-10 pm
While Ross gifts some of Nampara’s land to the peasants so that they can provide for themselves, the Poldarks learn it is their friend Dr Enys - whose internment in France has caused him psychologically suffering - who needs their immediate care.

Since Ross rescued Hugh Armitage, George desperately needs to secure a connection to the nobility - so he plans to force Morwenna's marriage to Osborne. But Morwenna’s resilience raises George's suspicions, and he has Tom Harry follow her.

Drake secretly reintroducing toads to Trenwith’s pond, delighting Geoffrey Charles and Morwenna, but infuriating George.

Geoffrey Charles gives Drake his bible as a gift, but in his naivety reveals that Morwenna is to be married.

Ep 7/9

Sunday 23 July, 9-10pm
George learns of a vacant seat in Parliament for a Member of Truro and decides to pursue it. Elizabeth and Agatha prepare for Agatha’s 100th birthday party, to George’s chagrin, and Caroline hosts a fake wedding reception to which the great and good are invited.
George fails to impress Falmouth at the reception, and instead decides to ally himself with Sir Francis Basset, who plans to challenge Falmouth’s monopoly in Truro.
Hugh Armitage makes his affection for Demelza apparent but Ross - foolishly - dismisses it. Meanwhile, Sam becomes infatuated with Tholly’s daughter Emma Tregirls, and Morwenna’s sister Rowella arrives at the Whitworth vicarage, having been sent for by Osborne to help his pregnant wife.
Basset invites Ross and Demelza to Tehidy, where Hugh’s attentions again find Demelza - as Basset voices a proposition to Ross.

Ep 8/9
Sunday 30July, 9-10 pm

Ross is adamant George will lose in the election and determines to get a headstone made for Agatha’s grave, something Trenwith has neglected.
George, meanwhile, questions Dwight over Valentine’s legitimacy and - paranoid and jealous - shuts himself to Elizabeth, as Rowella begins to seduce Osborne Whitworth and Demelza receives tokens of Hugh’s affection.
Sam continues to pine after Emma, as Dwight instructs Osborne to forego intercourse with Morwenna and Cary informs Lord Falmouth that the Warleggans will be opposing Falmouth in the election.
Ross returns from his mine to discover Hugh Armitage at Nampara with Demelza - and this time Hugh’s attention does not go unnoticed...

Episode 9/9
Sunday 6 August, 9-10 pm

In the final episode of the series, Prudie and Tholly spy French sails on the horizon and the area is put on alert. George passes Drake’s smithy on his return from Parliament and Francis Basset convenes a meeting to devise the defences of Cornwall. Ross is put in command of a squad of volunteers while Demelza continues to be courted by Hugh in secret.

Emma admits she is attracted to Sam but cannot overcome her lack of religious faith, while George takes the fact that Drake is living in the smithy - on the edge of Trenwith land - as provocation by Ross. He orders Tom Harry to ensure that Drake’s residency is short-lived and Tom is only too happy to oblige, leaving Ross facing threats both foreign and domestic.

Series 2

Episode 1/10
Sunday 4 September 9-10pm

George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) is building his case against Ross (Aidan Turner) so Pascoe forces Ross to prepare a will in case the worst happens - while Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) visits their neighbour Ray Penvenen (John Nettles) to gain an ally.

Francis (Kyle Soller) seeks reconciliation but Ross refuses, and Francis takes this badly. Elizabeth (Heida Reed) attempts to negotiate a ceasefire between Ross and George too, persuading George to offer Ross his help in influencing the court. However, Ross rejects this offer as well, seeing that the price of friendship with George is too high.

The court case takes place in Bodmin, which is overwhelmed with crowds who are there for the county election. George is funding a candidate, Unwin Trevaunance (Hugh Skinner), in the hope of extending the reach of his own influence; however, Unwin is more concerned with his pursuit of Ray Penvenen’s niece, Caroline (Gabriella Wilde), who herself has taken a liking to Dr Dwight Enys (Luke Norris).

Demelza tries to meet Justice Lister to tell him that George is perverting justice but George has the doormen prevent her from entering.

Ross begins to realise that he may well be hanged tomorrow...

Episode 2/10
Sunday 11 September 9-10pm

The election results are announced and Unwin is tied for the second seat - but the mob has reached boiling point and Unwin Trevaunance (Hugh Skinner) is attacked.

Elizabeth (Heida Reed) travels to Bodmin, knowing if she does not she will not be able to stop worrying about Francis, or Ross. George (Jack Farthing) eavesdrops on Demelza’s (Eleanor Tomlinson) conversation with Justice Lister, intervening to reveal she is the wife of the trial’s defendant and attempting to influence the case.

Dwight discovers Francis very much alive in his room and persuades Francis not to try again. Meanwhile the prosecution ties the rioting of the previous night to Ross’s behaviour and presents a series of witnesses supposedly comprised of Ross’s friends. However, when Jud (Phil Davis) is on the stand, he comes out with an unexpected account of events.

Ross prepares to make his speech - one prepared by his Clymer - but goes decidedly off-script, sticking true to his principles. Despite Justice Lister wishing to make an example of Ross’s revolutionary ways, will the jury of Cornishmen rally to save Ross…

Pictured: Caroline Penvenen (Gabriella Wilde), Unwin Trevaunance (Hugh Skinner)

Episode 3/10
Sunday 18 September 9-10 pm

Ross (Aidan Turner) plans to expand Wheal Leisure and persuades the other shareholders to invest in a new tunnelling scheme.

Meanwhile, Unwin Trevaunance (Hugh Skinner) decides that he will plant his political flag by cracking down on lawlessness, particularly smuggling. Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) continues to hide her pregnancy from Ross, believing that he does not want the child.

With the interest now due on the promissory note Ross secured from Pascoe, Ross and Demelza have to find £400. Jud (Phil Davis) is attacked for recanting his testimony in court and left for dead. Ross accepts Francis’ (Kyle Soller) invitation to spend the Harvest festival at Trenwith, united now by a shared hatred of George Warleggan.

Francis reveals to Ross he has £600 set aside which he plans to invest in mining. Dr Dwight Enys (Luke Norris) is called to Killewarren and discovers that Caroline (Gabriella Wilde) has a fishbone lodged in her throat. He removes it, impressing her, but on his way home discovers that George (Jack Farthing) has acquired more shares in Wheal Leisure.

Later, Elizabeth reveals that George gave Francis the £600, making Ross suspicious as to George’s purpose. Demelza overhears the pair flirting before going to bed where Ross joins her. They argue and Demelza reveals that she is pregnant.

Pictured: George Warleggan (Jack Farthing)

Episode 4/10
Sunday 25 September 9-10pm

Ross begins to think that exiled miner Mark Daniel might have come across a copper lode when hiding out in Wheal Grace.

Meanwhile, knowing he could bankrupt them at any time, Elizabeth (Heida Reed, pictured) attempts to keep George (Jack Farthing) sweet - but finds his proposition to spend more time together behind Francis’ back too high a price.

Caroline (Gabriella Wilde) thinks to impress Dwight by buying oranges for his patients - and succeeds. Meanwhile Trencrom (Richards McCabe), the local crime-lord, offers Ross £200 to allow him to use Nampara Cove for smuggling and Ross invites Demelza’s anger by accepting.

When George shows up at the Wheal Leisure shareholder meeting and attempts to come between Ross and his cousin, he and Ross end up coming to blows.

Returning home, Ross discovers Demelza struggling to get ashore in the throes of labour. Can he reach her in time?

Episode 5/10
Sunday 2 October 9-10pm

Demelza cautions Ross to distance himself from the smugglers, following arrests and talk of an informant, but they still need the money.

The Warleggans have become aware of Ross’s promissory note and plan to purchase it to crush him once and for all. Dwight is troubled by a patient, Rosina Hoblyn, who has a lame leg, but he finds himself distracted by the return of Caroline Penvenen who is expected to announce her engagement to Unwin Trevaunance at a dinner for the local gentry.

At the party Elizabeth captures Ross’s attention by admitting she will always be a little in love with him and Caroline rejects Unwin before asking Ross about his friend Dwight. Ross and George spar verbally and George returns home determined to acquire Ross’s debt.

Meanwhile, Francis believes the mine has struck copper. He returns to the mine alone to investigate...

Pictured: Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) Francis (Kyle Soller)

Episode 6/10
Sunday 9 October 9-10pm

Francis’ final breakthrough at Wheal Grace reveals nothing of value, so Ross meets with Trencrom to locate Mark Daniel and see if he can locate the copper in the mine.

Trencrom strikes a deal to build a secret cache at Nampara where he can store contraband, putting much needed money in Ross’ pocket but adding unwanted risk. Dwight is hailed as a hero for restoring Rosina to health, to Caroline’s amusement.

George calls in Ross’s debt, which means Ross will almost certainly go to debtors’ prison. Meanwhile, as Ross spends more time looking after the widowed Elizabeth, Demelza fears she is losing him.

Dwight is ordered by Ray Penvenen to stop meeting Caroline but defies him and, though advised against it, Ross sells his remaining shares in Wheal Leisure in order to purchase Geoffrey Charles’ shares in Wheal Grace anonymously - his last means of protecting Elizabeth and Geoffrey Charles.

Episode 7/10
Sunday 9 October 9-10pm

Caroline convinces Dwight they must elope for a new life in Bath, as Ross sails with Trencrom to meet with Mark Daniel.

Caroline is forced to pull her plan forward but it is threatened when Rosina dislocates her knee again. Dwight believes he can treat her and still rendezvous with Caroline; however, he and Demelza become suspicious that Charlie Kempthorne is the informant when they learn he has avoided the smuggling run. Dwight confronts Charlie, and a fight ensues.

Demelza realises Ross will be walking into an ambush and attempts to warn the boat, but McNeil and his soldiers arrive at Nampara, leaving her under guard. Dwight incapacitates Charlie and escapes as Caroline sneaks out of Killewarren to meet him. Dwight attempts to warn Ross but is too late. Will Ross find a way to evade the soldiers?

Having paid men to harass Trenwith with the aim of driving Elizabeth to him for protection, George arrives at her home and posts his men to guard Elizabeth, who is both shocked and grateful for George's attention. Dwight is released by the soldiers, but finds Caroline has already returned to London...

Episode 8/10
Sunday 23 October 9-10pm

Ross and Dwight face a magistrate’s trial for their roles in the ill-fated smuggling venture. On top of this Dwight reveals that his marriage with Caroline is cancelled and he is thinking of joining the navy.

Ross admits to Demelza he has sold their shares in Wheal Leisure to give Elizabeth the money, and it looks as though Wheal Grace must now close.

George sends false tin prospectors to Trenwith to spook Elizabeth, but their presence enrages her mother so much that she suffers a stroke. Elizabeth calls for George’s help, who tells Elizabeth that he can provide her with everything she needs if she agrees to marry him.

Disaster strikes as the new mine collapses and Ross returns to Nampara, devastated, to find a letter from Elizabeth explaining she has agreed to marry George. Though Demelza tries to stop him, Ross rides through the night to Trenwith, intent on seeing Elizabeth...

Pictured: Aunt Agatha (Caroline Blakiston) Elizabeth (Heidi Reed)

Episode 9/10
Sunday 30 October 9-10pm

Demelza refuses to speak to Ross and expects him to return to Elizabeth, abandoning her and Jeremy.

Elizabeth and Agatha believe the same and Elizabeth writes to George to postpone the wedding. George rides to Trenwith to make Elizabeth agree to another date, ensuring his plans are not usurped. In Truro, Tonkin invites Ross to join him in a prospering shipbuilding partnership.

Meanwhile, Demelza accepts Sir Hugh Bodrugan’s invitation to his ball, where she finds Captain McNeil, inviting him to her room, having justified the possibility of adultery as something Ross has driven her to. Ross finds Demelza on Hendrawna Beach but hasn’t the words to build a bridge between them.

Ross is beckoned to the mine where they have cleared the collapse and come upon the richest lode of tin Henshawe has ever seen - may Ross soon may be free of debt?

Pictured: Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) Captain McNeil (Henry Garrett)

Episode 10/10
Sunday 4 November

Elizabeth tells George that she is carrying his child and George continues to mark his territory by erecting fences around Trenwith, denying commoners passage across his property.

Dwight learns of Caroline’s new engagement and enlists in the navy. Ross decides he must mend the rift between Caroline and Dwight before it is too late.

Ross is called to Trenwith by George, suspicious that the purchase of Geoffrey Charles’ share in the mine was fraudulent. Pascoe reveals to Ross that George will seek to bankrupt him through court proceedings.

Demelza is assaulted for trespassing on Warleggan land provoking the villagers to march on Trenwith with vengeance in mind - will Ross be able to disband the mob?

Series 1

Episode 1/8
Sunday 8 March 9-10 pm

Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) joins the army to avoid charges of smuggling. He goes to fight in the American War of Independence, leaving behind his sweetheart, Elizabeth (Heida Reed), with the promise that he will return soon. Three years later, wounded and scarred, Ross returns home to discover that his father has died, his estate is in ruins and Elizabeth is set to marry his cousin Francis (Kyle Soller).

Elizabeth and Francis are married. Ross is surprised to see that callous banker George Warleggan (Jack Farthing) is at the groom's side. Ross’s uncle, Charles Poldark (Warren Clarke) thinks that it would be better for the newlyweds if Ross were to leave Cornwall and he offers to pay for Ross to make a fresh start elsewhere.
Ross stubbornly refuses, determined to rebuild his family estate, Nampara. With only the help of his father’s useless servants, Jud and Prudie (Phil Davies and Beatie Edney), Ross takes on a new kitchen-maid, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson), after he rescues her from a beating.

Episode 2/8

Sunday 15 March 9-10 pm

  

When the local mine Wheal Reath is closed, hundreds of miners, including Jim (Alexander Arnold), find themselves out of work and desperately poor. Ross (Aidan Turner), having repaired the family home of Nampara, now employs Jim as a farm-hand, and thinks to resurrect his family’s mine (Wheal Leisure) with the hope of bringing prosperity to the area again.

Meanwhile, Verity (Ruby Bentall) asks Ross to accompany her to a ball at the Assembly Rooms, where she meets and falls in love with Captain Andrew Blamey (Richard Harrington). However, Blamey is hiding a dark secret that Verity's brother Francis (Kyle Soller) and father Charles (Warren Clarke) are horrified to discover.

Ross, with the help of mine Captain Henshawe (John Hollingworth) and willing investor Horace Treneglos (Michael Culkin), manages to convince banker and friend, Harris Pascoe (Richard Hope) that Wheal Leisure is a viable business.
But it is Ross' intimate dance with Elizabeth (Heida Reed) that causes a stir at the ball and gives the other guests a reason to gossip.

Under George’s (Jack Farthing) influence, a jealous Francis (Kyle Soller) decides not to go into business with Ross. Meanwhile, Ross must help Verity arrange a tryst with Captain Blamey after Charles discovered Blamey’s scandalous past and forbids her from seeing him. Francis, spurred by his jealousy of Ross and angered by this fresh betrayal, challenges Blamey to an ill-fated duel. Ross is able to save Francis’ life, but Charles (Warren Clarke) blames Ross for the incident and will not forgive him. Elizabeth, however, is extremely grateful to Ross, revealing that she is pregnant with Francis’ child.

Episode 3/8
Sunday 22 March

Ross celebrates the opening of Wheal Leisure as rumours spread of a scandalous relationship between him and Demelza. Francis and Elizabeth celebrate the birth of their new son. Ross must fight to save his friend Jim, sparring in court with Reverend Halse.

Episode 4/8
Sunday 29 March 9-10 pm

News of the marriage between Ross (Aidan Turner) and Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) shocks Trenwith - with Charles' (Warren Clarke) amusement at the union bringing on a fatal heart attack. On his death-bed he asks Ross to look after Francis (Kyle Soller) who is drinking, gaming and whoring his family’s money away.

Verity visits Nampara and despite Demelza’s worry that she is too common for Verity (Ruby Bentall), the two quickly become firm friends, and Verity teaches Demelza how to be a refined lady.

Wheal Leisure has still not hit copper and the money is running out. Ross turns to his investors, but finds they are unwilling to throw away good money after bad. They must hit copper soon or Wheal Leisure will have to close after Christmas.

Francis and Elizabeth invite Ross and Demelza to Trenwith for Christmas. Demelza is welcomed into the Trenwith Poldarks and appraised by Aunt Agatha (Caroline Blakiston), who never minces her words.

Episode 5/8
Sunday 5 April 9-10 pm

Ross (Aidan Turner) and Demelza welcome two new arrivals: Dwight Enys (Luke Norris), a doctor who plans to make a study of lung diseases at Wheal Leisure and their own baby daughter, Julia Grace Poldark.

At Julia’s christening, Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) resolves to lift Verity’s spirits by reconciling her with her lost love Captain Blamey (Richard Harrington). Meanwhile, Mark Daniel (Matthew Wilson) has fallen in love with the capricious Keren (Sabrina Bartlett), who demands he find her a home before they are married. Ross helps Mark renovate one of his dilapidated cottages.

Ross sets about forming an alliance with other mine owners to build their own smelting company and break the Warleggan stranglehold that is driving copper prices ever lower. However, as Francis (Kyle Soller) is deeply in debt to George (Jack Farthing), he cannot join the venture. Deeply unhappy with his marriage to Elizabeth, Francis is spending what money he has left on lavish gifts for an ambitious prostitute, Margaret (Crystal Leaity).

Francis also secures Ross an invitation to George’s house party, a seedy affair of drinking, gaming and whoring. With Ross at the party, Demelza lures Verity (Ruby Bentall) into a trap designed to reconcile her with Captain Blamey.

Episode 6/8

Sunday 12 April BBC One 9-10 pm

The Carnmore smelting company is a success and Ross (Aidan Turner) makes more of an enemy of George (Jack Farthing) by outbidding him for copper at auction. Meanwhile, Francis (Kyle Soller) is increasingly volatile now that he has lost his mine and is reduced to working the land, so Verity (Ruby Bentall) avoids speaking to him about her plans to marry Captain Blamey (Richard Harrington).

When Ross and Zacky (Tristan Sturrock) discover there is fever at Bodmin Jail just weeks before Jim (Alexander Arnold) is to be released, Ross asks Dwight (Luke Norris) to accompany him to the prison. Ross forces his way into the jail and discovers that Jim is near death. They break Jim out from the jail in a desperate attempt to save him.

Returning home, Ross is expected to attend George’s grand ball. He is sickened at the thought of going amongst the people responsible for Jim’s incarceration, but Verity persuades him that he must do it for Demelza and Julia’s sake; to remind everyone that he is one of their class so they won’t arrest him for the prison break. However, at the ball Ross is fighting drunk and Demelza is aghast that she has been left to fend for herself at her first ever high society social event.

Ep 7/8

Sunday 19 April, 9.00pm-10.00pm, BBC ONE

Ross is struggling to keep the Carnmore smelting company afloat - and George Warleggan is determined to crush it. George’s agents are outbidding Carnmore in order to starve it of copper and George is trying to find ways to get to its shareholders, who all remain secret except Ross.

After a rockfall at Wheal Leisure Mark returns home early and finds that Keren is not there. He tracks her to Dwight's house and discovers that they have been sleeping together.

When Verity runs away with Captain Blamey, Francis immediately blames Ross for helping to arrange the scandalous elopement. Ross is furious and denies any involvement, but Francis will not listen and the cousins break irreconcilably. George sees an opportunity and exploits Francis’ anger until he reveals the names of the Carnmore shareholders.

Demelza heads to Trenwith to confess to Francis and beg him to forgive Ross, but Francis flies into a rage and throws her out. 

Ep8/8
Sunday 26 April, 9.00pm-10.00pm BBC One

Ross (Aidan Turner) tries one last time to turn around the fortunes of Carnmore, but when he is outbid he reluctantly folds the company. George (Jack Farthing) has won and takes the opportunity to rub his face in it, showing off his new ship, the Queen Charlotte.

Consumed with guilt over Keren’s death, Dwight (Luke Norris) throws himself into work, dealing with an outbreak of the putrid throat. When Ross learns that all at Trenwith are stricken with the disease he tries to persuade Dwight to see them - but they are Doctor Choake’s patients. Despite the estrangement Demelza rushes to their aid, but becomes infected and passes it on to baby Julia.

Ross is cheered to see George’s new ship being wrecked upon the rocks and leads the local poor, many of whom are starving, in looting the contents of the ship and exacting his revenge upon George. 

Source:  BBCMedia