The Forsyte Saga (2002– )

Chronicles the lives of three generations of the upper-middle-class British family, the Forsytes, from the 1870s to 1920.

Stars:

Damian Lewis, Gina McKee, Alistair Petrie

2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Damian Lewis	...	Soames Forsyte (10 episodes, 2002-2003)
Gina McKee	...	Irene Forsyte (10 episodes, 2002-2003)
Alistair Petrie	...	George (10 episodes, 2002-2003)
Amanda Root	...	Winifred Dartie née Forsyte (10 episodes, 2002-2003)
Rupert Graves	...	Jolyon Forsyte Jr. (9 episodes, 2002-2003)
Gillian Kearney	...	June (9 episodes, 2002-2003)
Ben Miles	...	Montague Dartie (8 episodes, 2002-2003)
Ann Bell	...	Aunt Hester (7 episodes, 2002-2003)
Malcolm Raeburn	...	Parfitt (7 episodes, 2002-2003)
Beatriz Batarda	...	Annette Forsyte née Lamotte (6 episodes, 2002-2003)
Maggie Fox	...	Bilson (6 episodes, 2002-2003)
Julian Ovenden	...	Val Dartie (6 episodes, 2002-2003)
Amanda Ryan	...	Holly (6 episodes, 2002-2003)
John Carlisle	...	James Forsyte (6 episodes, 2002)
Barbara Flynn	...	Emily (6 episodes, 2002)
Jowanna Rose	...	Smither (5 episodes, 2002-2003)
Wendy Craig	...	Aunt Juley (5 episodes, 2002)

Storyline

The extended Forsyte family live a more than pleasant upper middle class life in Victorian and later Edwardian England. The two central characters are Soames Forsyte and his cousin Jolyon Forsyte. Soames is a solicitor, all proper and straight-laced. His love for the beautiful Irene is his only weakness as is his beautiful daughter Fleur. Jolyon is the opposite, a free-thinking artist who abandons his wife to live with his children's nanny. Their lives and their children's lives will intersect over 30 years bringing happiness to some and tragedy to others.

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Plot Keywords:

period piece | country house | upper class | tv mini series | male nudity | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS - Forsyte family tree, links, bibliographies

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 October 2002 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Forsyte Saga

Filming Locations:

Croxteth Hall, Croxteth, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Granada Television, WGBH

Technical Specs

Runtime:

423 min 423 min (6 parts)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Soames Forsyte: I should have brought a horse whip!
Irene Forsyte née Heron: What do you want?
Soames Forsyte: I am here to tell you that unless you swear to keep clear of each other I shall divorce her with every circumstance and degradation to you both. Will you swear it? Will you keep away from her?
Jolyon: No.
Soames Forsyte: Your name will be dirt.
Jolyon: So be it.
Soames Forsyte: What about you? Will you swear it?
Irene Forsyte née Heron: No.
Soames Forsyte: I have enought evidence, you know. You have been watched, everywhere. You've been watched. And it won't just be desertion. You know what I am saying.
Irene Forsyte née Heron: Yes.
[...]

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Connections

Version of The Forsyte Saga (1949)

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Soundtracks

"Irene's Song"
(End titles music)
Music by Geoffrey Burgon
Lyrics by Jacqueline Kroft
Performed by Bryn Terfel

User Reviews

The Forsyte Saga 2002

As the previous post said a truly excellent cast and a superb adaptation of the book. I was very young at the time of the original 1960's series, so can't remember too much. I therefore sat down to follow this production with interest. Damian Lewis was absolutely outstanding as the cold, emotionally barren Soames. One British reviewer commented that his portrait of Soames made you feel pity for the character - absolutely not! It was it seemed to me a very accurate portrayal which is a testament to his ability as an actor. It was the first time I'd seen him in anything but his performance ensured I would in the future watch him in anything first time without question. Apart from Dreamcatcher he hasn't put a foot wrong.