Millie Gibson and Joshua Orpin in The Forsytes

Season one of The Forsytes is set to land on US screens on 22 March, while seasons two and three are already in the works

alling all period drama fans! The Forsytes, Channel 5’s unmissable six-part period drama, has officially been renewed for season three – and it hasn’t even reached US screens yet.

Originally airing in the UK in October, the six-part series is inspired by John Galsworthy’s 1920s novels, The Forsyte Saga, which followed the lives of an upper class family in late-Victorian England. The first season is due to land on PBS Masterpiece in the US on 22 March.

man in suit and woman in period dress against green background© Mammoth Screen & MASTERPIECE
Soames Forsyte (Joshua Orpin) and Irene Heron (Millie Gibson) in The Forsytes

The show quickly proved a hit with Channel 5 viewers and was greenlit for season two, which was filmed last year. Production for the third instalment will begin in the UK and on location in Europe next month, according to Deadline.

Described as “Downton Abbey meets Bridgerton”, HELLO!’s TV Editor Nicky Morris wrote in her four-star review: “If you’re a Downton Abbey fan who has found yourself wanting more cheesy drama, lusty romance and a Bridgerton-style narrator, then you’re in luck. The Forsytes is just that.” Intrigued? Read on for everything you need to know about The Forsytes…

What have fans said about The Forsytes?

While some viewers couldn’t get on board with the new adaptation after growing attached to the original literary material, the show received a positive response from viewers on IMDb.

One viewer penned: “I feel that the series can go for several seasons if they don’t rush it. The source material is there. I’m watching for entertainment value and this delivers! Bravo. The cast is great. It’s about to get messy, strap in!”

Two people in period dress sit in a carriage © Instagram/@channel5_tv
Millie Gibson and Joshua Orpin in The Forsytes

Meanwhile, a second wrote: “Fantastic series with lots of little twists and turns. Perfect for anyone who loves a good period drama. Costumes, writing and characters all on point. You can easily get sucked into the family drama. Brilliant world building around the main family, and by the end of episode one you do find yourself keen to watch the next episode.”

A third added: “This has got everything, great drama, costumes, locations, everything a classic serial should have. I have read the original novel but I like the origin story that this adaptation explores. I love Millie Gibson and Francesca Annis, two classy actresses. Can’t wait for series two.”

What is The Forsytes about?

Penned for screen by Debbie Horsfield, the screenwriter behind Poldark, the series follows the four generations of stockbrokers that make up the Forsytes family – with a healthy dose of romance, yearning and high-society drama.

woman in yellow dress and man in blue suit against green background© Mammoth Screen & MASTERPIECE
Frances Forsyte is played by Tuppence Middleton while Jolyon Forsyte Jr is Danny Griffin

The synopsis reads: “Sticklers for tradition and status, the older Forsytes prize duty and reputation above all else, whilst the younger members rail against the rigidity of family expectations.

“The question of who will take over the family firm puts Soames Forsyte and his cousin Jolyon in conflict just as their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of two remarkable women. Ultimately, each Forsyte family member grapples with the same dilemma –is it better to be ruled by the head or the heart?”

Who stars in The Forsytes?

One of the best parts about this drama is its stellar cast, which is headed by Francesca Annis as Ann, the matriarch of the family.

The cast of new period drama The Forsytes© Mammoth Screen/ITV/MASTERPIECE
The Forsytes cast

She’s joined by Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey: A New Era) as Frances Forsyte, Stephen Moyer (True Blood) as Jolyon Forsyte Sr. and Jack Davenport (The Morning Show) as James Forsyte.

Rounding out the cast are Danny Griffin (Fate: The Winx Saga) as Jolyon Forsyte Jr., Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day) as Louisa Byrne, Millie Gibson (Doctor Who) as Irene Heron and Joshua Orpin (Titans) as Soames Forsyte.