The Forsyte Saga, Series II (2003– )
"The Forsyte Saga: To Let" (original title)

In the 1920s, decades after the troubled and unhappy marriage between Soames Forsyte and the beautiful pianist Irene Heron came to an end, Soames and Irene have both remarried and moved on.... See full summary »

Stars:

Damian Lewis, Rupert Graves, Gina McKee

Cast

Series cast summary:
Damian Lewis	...	Soames Forsyte (4 episodes, 2003)
Rupert Graves	...	Jolyon Forsyte (4 episodes, 2003)
Gina McKee	...	Irene Forsyte née Heron (4 episodes, 2003)
Emma Griffiths Malin	...	Fleur Mont née Forsyte (4 episodes, 2003)
Lee Williams	...	Jon Forsyte (4 episodes, 2003)
Amanda Root	...	Winifred Dartie nee Forsyte (4 episodes, 2003)
Gillian Kearney	...	June Forsyte (4 episodes, 2003)
Beatriz Batarda	...	Annette Forsyte née Lamotte (4 episodes, 2003)
Ben Miles	...	Montague Dartie (4 episodes, 2003)
Michael Maloney	...	Prosper Profound (4 episodes, 2003)
Alistair Petrie	...	George Forsyte (4 episodes, 2003)
Oliver Milburn	...	Michael Mont (4 episodes, 2003)
Amanda Ryan	...	Holly Dartie née Forsyte (4 episodes, 2003)
Julian Ovenden	...	Val Dartie (4 episodes, 2003)
Maggie Fox	...	Bilson (2 episodes, 2003)

Storyline

In the 1920s, decades after the troubled and unhappy marriage between Soames Forsyte and the beautiful pianist Irene Heron came to an end, Soames and Irene have both remarried and moved on. Irene is happily married with a son to Jolyon Forsyte - causing Jolyon to be even further considered as an outcast and traitor by the Forsytes - and Soames to the beautiful, yet very unfaithful, Frenchwoman Annette. With Annette, Soames also finally has the child he so desperately wanted, and, at the age of 18, his daughter Fleur knows exactly how to get whatever she wants from doting and indulgent father. The pain of the past is however once again about to resurface as Fleur, despite Soames's efforts, meets and falls deeply in love with Irene and Jolyon's 18-year-old son Jon. As the young lovers embark on their passionate love affair, they have no idea of the obsession, unhappiness, adultery, rape, and possessive, unrequited love that lie in their parents' past.

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Plot Keywords:

1920s | tv mini series | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

PBS/Masterpiece Theatre

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 2003 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Forsyte Saga, Series II

Filming Locations:

Aigburth Ground, Liverpool, Merseyside, England, UK

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Wendy Craig was asked to play Aunt Juley as she had done in the first series but was not available because of her regular role in The Royal.

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Quotes

Jon Forsyte: Do you love him? Really love him?
Fleur Forsyte: What do you think?
Jon Forsyte: It's possible...
Fleur Forsyte: So you believe I can do that? Love you one day body and soul and forget about you the next?
Jon Forsyte: So, if you don't love him, why are you marrying him?
Fleur Forsyte: To get away from home of course! I can't stand my father. Michael's nice, he'll look after me.
Jon Forsyte: Nice isn't enough! A marriage for convenience is terrible!
Fleur Forsyte: What are my alternatives?
Jon Forsyte: You know I still love you!
Fleur Forsyte: How can I know that?
[...]

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Connections

Version of The Forsyte Saga (1967)

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Soundtracks

"June's Song"
(End titles music)
By Geoffrey Burgon

User Reviews

Sound Track Music

This most recent production in the series carries on the same tradition of a beautiful story, exquisitly photographed and superbly acted. My only criticism is one of a technical nature. Recently, film makers have employed a technique where the background music is at a certain volume level, and then it is automatically reduced when there is dialog - then louder again (during a dialog pause) - then down again when the dialog is resumed. The music gets louder, then softer, then louder, then softer as people speak. This is annoying, unnatural, and gives the scene an artificial atmosphere. This irritating technique is also employed during the host's introduction. Russell Baker's illuminating comments, his command of the English language, and his skill as an orator are only diminished with this unnecessary up and down music in the background. He does not need that. And neither do the viewers.