PBS Unveils 'The Forsytes': A New Period Drama Premiering in 2026
PBS Unveils 'The Forsytes': A New Period Drama Premiering in 2026
K.L. Connie WangFri, March 6, 2026 at 2:15 AM UTC
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Now that the final Downton Abbey movie is out and I've already watched the series multiple times, it's time for something new, wouldn't you say? While we await new seasons of Miss Scarletand All Creatures Great and Small, Masterpiece PBS has a new period drama series coming to your television screens in the new year: The Forsytes. Based on the Nobel Prize-winning novels, The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy, The Forsytes portrays life for the Forsyte family before the events that take place in the novels.
Here's everything we know so far about The Forsytes.
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What is The Forsytes about?
Desire, ambition and betrayal simmer at the heart of the sumptuous costume drama The Forsytes coming to MASTERPIECE on PBS in 2026. A bold, new reimagining from writer Debbie Horsfield (Poldark),
The Forsytes chronicles the lives, loves, trials and triumphs of a wealthy Victorian era stockbroking family, whose generations find themselves torn between tradition and self-sacrifice versus personal happiness and the pursuit of love with desire, ambition, and betrayal at the heart of it all.
Inspired by Galsworthy’s celebrated Forsyte Saga novels, The Forsytes portrays events that take place before those covered in Galsworthy’s books.
Is The Forsytes based on other material?
The Forsytes is inspired by the Forsyte Saga novels by John Galsworthy and takes place before the events covered in the books.
When is The Forsytes release date?
The Forsytes premieres on Sunday, Mar. 22 at 9 p.m. ET on Masterpiece PBS.
How do I watch The Forsytes?
The Forsytes will air on your local PBS station and will also be available to stream via PBS Passport or through a Masterpiece PBS subscription on Prime Video or other similar platforms.
Who's in the cast of The Forsytes?
Pictured (L to R): Jack Davenport as James Forsyte, Stephen Moyer as Jolyon Forsyte Sr. in 'The Forsytes'Stephen Moyer (Jolyon Forsyte Sr.)
For seven seasons, Moyer played vampire Bill Compton in the series True Blood. The British-born Moyer made his film debut as the titular character in Prince Valiant. He later starred in the Fox series, The Gifted, which is based loosely on the X-Men feature films. He currently stars in the Acorn TV series Art Detectives.
Related: True Blood's Stephen Moyer Heads Up New Acorn TV Mystery Series, Art Detectives
Jack Davenport (James Forsyte)
Davenport is best known to US audiences for his roles in Smash and The Morning Show. His other credits include Dr. Death, Why Women Kill, and Kingsmen: The Secret Service.
Joshua Orpin as Soames Forsyte in 'The Forsytes'Joshua Orpin (Soames Forsyte)
Orpin played Connor Kent for four seasons on Titans. The Australian actor's previous credits include Home and Away, Preacher, and I Know What You Did Last Summer.
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Danny Griffin as Jo Forsyte Jr. in 'The Forsytes'Danny Griffin (Jo Forsyte Jr.)
Griffin is best known for his role as Sky on Fate: The Winx Saga. His other credits include Free Rein, Get Even, and Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers.
Related: Hallmark Heads Back to the 19th Century With Gilded Newport Mysteries: Murder at the Breakers
Tuppence Middleton as Frances Forsyte in 'The Forsytes'Tuppence Middleton (Frances Forsyte)
Middleton played Lucy Smith, the future wife of Tom Branson (Allen Leech) in Downton Abbey: A New Era. Her other credits include Dickensian, Electric Dreams and His Dark Materials.
Eleanor Tomlinson as Louie Byrne in 'The Forsytes'Eleanor Tomlinson (Louis Byrne)
For five seasons, Tomlinson starred as Demelza Poldark opposite Aidan Turner in the Masterpiece PBS series, Poldark. Her most recent credits include The Outlaws, One Day, and The Couple Next Door.
Millie Gibson as Irene Heron in 'The Forsytes'Millie Gibson (Irene Heron)
Gibson came to international recognition after she landed the role of the Doctor's newest companion, Ruby Sunday, in Doctor Who after Disney+ took over the franchise and Ncuti Gatwa was cast as the 15th Doctor. Her other credits include Jamie Johnson, Butterfly, and Coronation Street.
Related: Here's the Scoop of the New Doctor Who
Francesca Annis (Ann Forsyte)
Annis has had a career spanning seven decades with credits such as The Libertine, Dune, and Krull. Other credits include The Saint, Magnum P.I., and Hamlet.
Tom Durant-Pritchard (Monty Dartie)
Durant-Pritchard stars in as Detective Inspector Alexander Blake in another Masterpiece PBS series, Miss Scarlet. Some of his more recent credits include Baby Reindeer, Andor, and Person of Interest.
Josette Simon (Ms. Ellen Parker Barrington)
Simon's credits include Sanditon, Midsomer Murders, and HALO.
Your next period drama obsession is on the way. The Forsytes premieres on MASTERPIECE on PBS in 2026. This lavish reimagining of the Nobel Prize-winning tale of love, ambition, and betrayal follows the wealthy Forsyte family in 1880s London. Inspired by John Galsworthy’s celebrated Forsyte Saga novels, The Forsytes portrays events that take place before those covered in Galsworthy’s books.
Is there a trailer for The Forsytes?
Yes! Check out the official teaser trailer for The Forsytes below.
Check out images from The Forsytes
Take a look at some select images from The Forsytes.
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Related: PBS Announces New Mystery Series 'Maigret'
This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
