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Forsyte Saga TV series (2002)

56 replies

R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 12:50

I realise I’m very late to the party here but I’ve just finished watching this on Netflix. I love historical fiction and TV drama’s so not sure how I missed it at the time. I’m guessing it was because I was still quite young and it looked a bit dull. I’ve really enjoyed it and would love to discuss the characters with any other fans. I’ve also noticed that they are filming a remake of the series and think it will be released later this year. I wonder if the new cast will live up to expectations after “getting to know” the previous cast so well.

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TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 12:52

Did you see the 1968 version that the BBC made?
It depicts the characters much more accurately.

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 12:54

No I’ve not. Have you read the books too? Would you recommend reading them when I’ve watched the series first?

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BriefHug · 09/07/2025 12:59

I love the books, and remember watching the 2002 adaptation with my DM who was so enamoured of the 1968 original that I came within a whisker of being christened Fleur. (Although it could have been worse, if I'd been a boy...)

I enjoyed the newer version more than my DM did, but agreed with her that Gina McKee was a bit miscast as Irene.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 13:00

R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 12:54

No I’ve not. Have you read the books too? Would you recommend reading them when I’ve watched the series first?

The books are very long. Yes, I've read them. I have to say that I didn't enjoy them much.

Much prefer Susan Hampshire's Fleur. Emma Griffiths' is very spoilt and childish.

The good thing about the old series is that it carries on, so the marriage between Michael and Fleur is fully depicted. Eventually, she meets Jon again, and lures him into meeting her and having sex. Jon is married by this time, and his wife is pregnant.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 13:02

I enjoyed the newer version more than my DM did, but agreed with her that Gina McKee was a bit miscast as Irene.

Not as miscast as the original Bosinney (John Bennett). At least you can see why Irene fell for Ioan Gruffudd.

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 13:04

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

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TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 13:24

Can you imagine being named Soames?

I rather like Swithin, though.

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 17:18

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne I did have another reply about by thoughts on Gina McKee but it disappeared when I tried to edit it…Anyway, it’s interesting that you felt she was mis-cast. I’ve seen her in various great dramas over the years including Our Friends in the North and Line of Duty, now this, but I’ve never warmed to her. She seems to play the same character regardless of the role, always a bit reserved or aloof, same voice and facial expressions etc. I also think that she looks to modern for the period iyswim and dare I say it, not the rare beauty you’d expect to attract so many men. Maybe I’m being too harsh. I’m not sure who I would cast as Irene if I had the choice.

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 17:21

I did enjoy seeing some actors of the time that I’d forgotten about, especially the actors playing Michael Mont and Jon Forsyte, both rather handsome in their day.

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 17:32

Who were your favourite characters? I had a bit of a soft spot for Dartie.
I also wondered if Prospero (or whatever he was called) was a) a conman ie; not actually French, faux accent, bounty hunter or buccaneer as they say and/or b) some kind of spectre like Inspector Goole in An Inspector Calls iyswim. Was he some kind of literary tool placed to reflect some of the characters worst behaviours or desires. (Or was his accent just awful generally but not on purpose?)
Sorry, I have lots of questions/musings and no one in real life to ask.

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 17:36

Also @TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne, it’s interesting to hear that Fleur was played differently in the original. She did indeed come across as very spoilt and entitled in this version, not at all likeable and other than being very pretty and quite lively, I’m not sure what Jon or Michael saw in her.

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TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 17:48

Prosper Profond is an unpleasant man, who plays Winifred and Annette off against one another.

But he ends up with Annette, who abandons Soames to go and live with Profond in France.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 17:51

I think that Damian Lewis was an awful Soames. He was too cruel and out of control.

By the end of the first version of the FS, the viewer feels a great deal of sympathy for Soames. I always cry when he dies. Eric Porter was superb.

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 17:53

I liked Monty Dartie till he hit Winifred.

chambawamba · 09/07/2025 17:55

The new version is currently being filmed in Bristol

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 18:00

chambawamba · 09/07/2025 17:55

The new version is currently being filmed in Bristol

Do we know who is in it?

Outofthemoonlight · 09/07/2025 18:04

The 2002 version did nothing for me. Both Damian Lewis and Gina McKee were miscast. Nyree Dawn Porter and Eric Porter were perfect, as was the guy who played Irene’s lover (Kenneth More?).

I wish, I WISH the original (1967?) version had been filmed in colour. If it had, there’d be no reason for another series ever again. Who played Aunt Winifred? Another performance that cannot be bettered.

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 18:09

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne
The cast for this new adaptation includes:

  • Francesca Annis: as Ann Forsyte.
  • Jack Davenport: as James.
  • Tom Durant Pritchard: as Monty Dartie.
  • Jamie Flatters: as Philip Bosinney.
  • Millie Gibson: as Irene.
  • Danny Griffin: as Jo.
  • Susan Hampshire: as Lady Carteret.
  • Owen Igiehon: as Isaac Cole.
  • Tuppence Middleton: as Frances.
  • Stephen Moyer: as Jolyon Senior.
  • Joshua Orpin: as Soames.
  • Josette Simon: as Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington.
  • Eleanor Tomlinson: as Louisa Byrne.
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TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 09/07/2025 18:12

Who is Louisa Byrne?
Who is Ellen Parker Barrington?
Who is Lady Carteret?
Who is Isaac Cole?

They don't appear in the books.

It sounds like non-existent characters have been put into the story. This annoys me. There's no need. Galsworthy had endless characters already.

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 19:11

@TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne I know, it’s really annoying when they add new characters especially when there are already plenty to be re-explored. I found this: This adaptation is described as a reimagining, aiming to expand and update the world of the original story, with a greater focus on the female characters and incorporating prequel-like elements.
Maybe some of the new characters are in the prequel story-line?

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R00tat00tt00t · 09/07/2025 19:12

@OutofthemoonlightI might have to go and find the 60’s series on YouTube, you’ve sold it to me.

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Outofthemoonlight · 09/07/2025 19:26

The Original

MoominUnderWater · 09/07/2025 19:30

Not seen the original but loved the 2002 version and the books.

cantthinkofaname1991 · 09/07/2025 19:32

I have also just rewatched this on Netflix! I forgot how good it is!!! So nice to see a thread on it! The only thing I would say is that I don’t understand the appeal of Irene- why does everyone adore her? I haven’t read the book so not sure of the characterisation here! Does anyone have any thoughts on that?