Susan Hampshire to return to The Forsyte Saga for ‘lavish reimagining’
The Forsyte Saga is to return to television in a “lavish reimagining” with original star Susan Hampshire in the cast.
The period drama, which follows three generations of the wealthy Forsyte family in 1880s London, was first made into a BBC series in 1967, based on the novels by John Galsworthy.
The quintessentially British story is being remade for US broadcaster PBS, which has had success with other British costume dramas including Downton Abbey.
The team behind Poldark - production company Mammoth Screen and screenwriter Debbie Horsfield - will make it, along with director Meenu Gaur.
Hampshire, 86, who played Fleur Forsyte in the original, will play dowager Lady Carteret in the new version.
Francesca Annis will play the formidable matriarch, Ann, while the ensemble cast includes Jack Davenport, Tuppence Middleton and Eleanor Tomlinson.
Filming begins in May in locations in England, Wales and Italy. It is planned as a returning series, and sources said the drama will be offered to a UK broadcaster in due course.
ITV remade the series in 2002 with Gina McKee and Damian Lewis, but it did not have the impact of the original.
Horsfield, whose credits include Cutting It, said: “It was an honour to be asked to write a bold new reimagining of Galsworthy’s epic saga.
“Our show is in part a prequel to the events of the first book, but also an opportunity to expand the world and place the women of the family centre stage.
“It’s a love letter to the original story while offering an exciting new perspective.”
Mammoth Screen said the series would be a “lavish reimagining”. Damien Timmer, chief commercial officer and founder of the production company, said: “It’s thrilling to be teaming up again with Debbie on this iconic story. Everything about the Forsyte Saga is huge - it’s an epic canvas, and Debbie’s magnificent scripts have delivered a truly great ensemble cast.”
Susanne Simpson, executive producer for the Masterpiece brand on PBS, said: “This sweeping, romantic drama portrays how duty binds a family together until it conflicts with matters of the heart.
“Debbie Horsfield’s inspired scripts will be realised by an exceptional cast and supported by a lavish production.”
