'Perfect' Lavish Period Drama Based on Books
The Forsyte Saga, a family saga about love, wealth, and scandal, features renowned acting and lavish costumes. This sweeping multi-generational tale follows an affluent family from the 1870s to the 1920s.
Background and Legacy
Newcomers to Channel 5's period drama The Forsytes may not be familiar with its acclaimed predecessor, The Forsyte Saga. Although it first aired over twenty years ago, it remains highly praised by period drama enthusiasts.
The latest series serves as a prequel and reimagining of John Galsworthy's Nobel Prize-winning novels.
Plot and Characters
The Forsyte Saga is a 10-part ITV miniseries that chronicles scandals within three generations of a socially ambitious family. Damien Lewis stars as Soames Forsyte, the unlikeable yet complex patriarch.
"A constant marvel of a performance," says reports about Lewis's portrayal of Soames.
Soames, a wealthy solicitor obsessed with property and riches, courts Irene Heron (played by Gina McKee), a beautiful woman living in genteel poverty. Despite his wealth, she initially rejects him, highlighting that money cannot buy love. Their troubled marriage and its fallout form the core of this saga, centered on social standing and materialism.
Historical and Social Context
The series spans roughly fifty years, from the Victorian era through the end of World War I. It is celebrated for its sharp social commentary on a transforming British society at the dawn of the 20th century.
"The Forsyte Saga is renowned for its social commentary of a changing British society at the turn of the 20th century," reports the Express.
The combination of drama, historical detail, and character depth makes the saga enduringly popular among viewers.
Author's Summary
This richly detailed period drama revisits a classic tale of family, power, and social change, brought to life through strong performances and elegant production.
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