Quick Read
- ABC TV’s ‘The Forsytes’ is a new period drama based on John Galsworthy’s Forsyte Saga.
- The series follows the fortunes and rivalries of a wealthy Victorian family.
- Season 1 features Eleanor Tomlinson, Jack Davenport, and Stephen Moyer.
- Major plotlines include family betrayals, ambitious marriages, and secrets.
- All episodes are available to stream on ABC iview.
Victorian Wealth, Family Ties, and the Pulse of Progress
The shimmering lights of late Victorian London cast long shadows in ABC’s new period drama, The Forsytes, which premiered on November 9 at 8:50pm. Inspired by John Galsworthy’s celebrated novels, the series doesn’t just retell a classic—it breathes new life into the saga, inviting viewers to step into a world where every fortune is fragile, and every relationship is a battlefield.
With a cast led by Eleanor Tomlinson, Jack Davenport, Stephen Moyer, and others, The Forsytes follows the shifting fortunes of a family bound by wealth, pride, and complicated love. The Forsyte family—stockbrokers by trade, visionaries by ambition—are caught between tradition and the irresistible pull of change. At the center stand two cousins: Jolyon and Soames Forsyte, rival heirs whose lives intertwine in ways neither could predict.
Chance Encounters and Shifting Loyalties
From the very first episode, the series sets a brisk pace. Jolyon and Soames, both powerful and deeply flawed, are driven by ambition, loyalty, and the ghosts of their own desires. Their rivalry simmers beneath every exchange, their choices rippling outward to touch every member of the family. A chance encounter, seemingly trivial, throws both men into turmoil—forcing them to reckon with what they truly want, and what they might lose.
As the family navigates the glittering social world of late 19th-century London, each episode peels back another layer of their shared history. The second episode sees the Forsytes at the opera, but the evening’s glamour quickly gives way to revelation. Jolyon’s discovery will change his life, while Soames, swept up in infatuation with the enigmatic Irene, makes a marriage proposal with more urgency than wisdom. The tension between personal longing and societal expectation is palpable—a theme that Galsworthy explored with nuance and empathy, and which the series deftly brings to the screen.
Marriage, Betrayal, and the Cost of Ambition
Behind closed doors, the Forsyte family faces betrayals and shifting alliances. Jolyon seeks to fulfill new obligations, but his efforts are met with resistance—especially from James, whose attempts to undermine Jolyon grow more desperate. June, the family’s free spirit, grows closer to Philip, while Soames and Irene’s marriage marks a turning point. Their union, celebrated in public, carries private pain. The honeymoon in Paris is cut short when Soames finds himself out of his element, unable to bridge the distance between his dreams and reality.
By the fifth episode, disaster strikes at the family firm. Soames’s decisions have consequences, not just for Irene—whose Parisian aspirations are dashed—but for everyone connected to Forsyte & Co. Louisa, another casualty of the family’s ambitions, faces eviction. In a moment that crystallizes the series’ central dilemma, Jolyon is forced to decide whether he can—or should—save the day.
Secrets, New Beginnings, and the Weight of Legacy
Change is inevitable, and the Forsytes must confront it head-on. Soames, ever the architect of his own destiny, commissions a country house—an act that reveals as much about his insecurities as his aspirations. Irene’s distress over this decision is just one sign that happiness, for the Forsytes, is always just out of reach.
Louisa, meanwhile, is pushed toward a fresh start. Jolyon, sensing the shifting tides, chooses his own future over the expectations placed upon him. Ann’s revelation of a dark secret adds another layer of complexity, reminding viewers that beneath the family’s polished veneer lies a world of pain, compromise, and hope.
Why The Forsytes Resonates Today
The Forsytes is more than a period piece. It’s a meditation on the cost of ambition and the fragility of love, set against the backdrop of a society in transition. The series doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable truths of its era, nor does it romanticize the struggles of its characters. Instead, it invites us to ask: What does it mean to inherit not just wealth, but expectations? How do we find our own path when every step is measured by someone else’s standards?
With lush cinematography, sharp dialogue, and performances that capture the complexity of Galsworthy’s characters, The Forsytes stands out in a crowded field of period dramas. The series is available to stream on ABC iview, giving audiences the chance to immerse themselves in a story that feels both timeless and urgent.
ABC’s adaptation of The Forsyte Saga succeeds by honoring the spirit of Galsworthy’s work while crafting a visually stunning, emotionally honest portrait of a family shaped by history. Its nuanced exploration of rivalry, love, and social change makes it a standout in contemporary period television.