Snippets from the BFI Q&A; for 'Poldark' Series Four

Deebie Horsfield, Aidan Turner and Karen Thrussell
Photo: Evie Bowman for Poldarked

Writer Debbie Horsfield, executive producer Karen Thrussell and Ross Poldark himself, Aidan Turner, made up the panel for the Poldark series four Q&A at the BFI last month. Here are some snippets from the evening:

• Asked his favourite line from all the series of Poldark Aidan squirmed, "I'm sitting beside the writer! That's so unfair!" But once the laughter had died down he said, "I just want to get the line right. There is a line when Ross and George are on the beach and they're looking out to sea and he says, 'Belief is a beautiful thing.' I do love that line," and we all clapped in agreement.

• Aidan feels Ross regrets his night with Elizabeth more than he regrets saving Hugh Armitage. He said, "If he'd known what was going to happen, I like to believe Ross still would have saved Hugh Armitage. It's hard to talk his way out of the other one though. It nearly ruined his marriage and it upset a lot of people so I think that's a huge life regret. I think it's incredible that they're still friends, Ross and Elizabeth. They've come back around which is great. It wasn't one of his finest moments though."

• Aidan and Eleanor sometimes race the horses across the beach after filming. He's very competitive but says Eleanor wins,"...all the time. She has a better horse, a faster horse. No. She is, actually, a very experienced rider. And she has the handicap of riding sidesaddle. It's really difficult to gallop a horse riding sidesaddle and she overtakes all the time. Seamus isn't happy about this either!"

• Does Aidan mind that we enjoy his shirtless scenes so much? "No I don't at all!" he said, then quipped, "Go for it!" to much laughter.

• The fifth series of Poldark was officially announced at the Q&A. Debbie said they are in discussions about how far they take the story in Series 5 but, obviously, they are not going to be able to fit five books into one series.

• Demelza doesn't have any new songs on series four.  Are we going to hear Ross sing? "Noooo. I'm not going to do that," laughs Aidan. "There was a carol in series four," Debbie reminds him, to which he asks, "Was there? Was it okay?"

• On Garrick Aidan said, "I do love him y'know. It's just that, it's something I shouldn't say here because people think I dislike this furry, little animal and he's gorgeous. But he's a working dog so you just don't get affection and he's hunting out for the treat all the time. He's a little bit snappy! He's a bit of a scene stealer. He's adorable. He's a lovely dog. He just works more than me!"

• Debbie writes Poldark at a treadmill desk. She walks about ten miles a day while she works!

• Aidan said he has to keep relatively fit just to fit into the costumes to which Karen quipped, "We make them super tight."

• On returning to the stage in Lieutenant of Inishmore Aidan said,"It's been a while. I'm slightly anxious but I'm excited to do it. I know a lot of the cast and I know Michael Grandage quite well. Yeah, I dunno. I'm just excited."

Here are some photos from the evening:

Aidan Turner

Luke Norris

Poldark's Back with a Splash!

A skirmish in Poldark series one, Ross being taken to gaol in series two and Elizabeth's horse bolting in series three. From the outset we're thrown straight into the drama with Poldark, so I can sense the audience anticipation mounting as the opening titles draw to a close, at the BFI preview screening of episode one, series four. Waiting with baited breath, the first scene fills the screen - and then the whole theatre erupts with laughter. That brilliant writer Debbie Horsfield has brought us straight back into Poldarkland and aren't we enjoying it? I'm not saying another word about the opening scene except to tease that Aidan Turner summed it up as 'pretty cold' and 'not pleasant, no, for a lot of reasons it wasn't pleasant.'

Of course, what we're all desperate to know is how are Ross (Aidan Turner) and Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) fairing after the shocking events of series two and three? There are some thoughtful scenes between them in this first episode or, as Aidan puts it, "They're finally talking! It's good." And their marriage?  "It's tricky for them both. Relationships are complex. It's interesting to have them talking as real people who love each other, who trust each other and can make it work." So how do their lives move on? "Ross starts to think of the possibilities of going to Westminster. It's an interesting time. Pitt has dissolved the government and there's a referendum. But in the end it's Demelza who really pushes him in that direction. She stays behind and is looking after the mine and the family while Ross goes off."

There are plenty of returning characters this series and some new ones too. Rebecca Front plays Lady Whitworth, the despicable Reverend Osborne Whitworth's (Christian Brassington) mother and Max Bennett is Monk Adderley, a new adversary for Ross. Debbie Horsfield says, "Monk Adderley is a real rogue and goes head to head with Ross. He's mates with George as well. He's the character lots of people will - I don't think 'enjoy' is the right word. He's a wonderful character." "He's a creep," chips in  Aidan to much laughter.

But the new characters are for the episodes to come. For now, Poldark concentrates on the familiar faces, reminding us of their stories. That's not to say there isn't plenty happening with Drake (Harry Richardson) and Sam (Tom York) at the centre of things and Ross called upon, once more, to speak up for the everyday man and woman.

Heida Reed and Jack Farthing as George and
 Elizabeth Warleggan. Photo: BBC

George Warleggan (Jack Farthing), of course,  is never far behind the troubles that befall Ross. Does Aidan still enjoy these scenes with Jack?  "Yeah, it's still fun. Myself and Jack get on very well so we work it through. I like it when it get's quite physical, actually. It's nice to roll around the room. His head in the fire was good!"

Elizabeth (Heida Reed) is there supporting George while Hugh (Josh Whitehouse) is standing for Parliament. Dwight (Luke Norris) and Caroline (Gabriella Wilde) have some happy news amid Morwenna's (Ellise Chappell) continuing desperate situation with Ossie. And then there's Prudie (Beatie Edney), who seems to be coming into her own with her interactions with Ross.

Debbie says she loves the new series. 'Series four, for me, has been very satisfying to write and to see it in it's execution. I'm really happy with it. There are some amazing story lines that take things to a new level.'   Sounds like we're in for a real treat!

Poldark returns to our screens in the UK at 9pm on Sunday 10 June, BBC One. 
Get ready to be Poldarked!

Pics from the 'Poldark' S4 Preview Screening at the BFI

Here are a few pics from last night's preview screening of Poldark S4 at the BFI.  Sorry, there's no report as news from the Q&A is embargoed for a while.  I did ask the BFI Box Office if the panel would be filmed and disappointingly, it seems not.

Eleanor Tomlinson was unable to make the event as she is busy filming War of the Worlds but she did send a video (below) with the wonderful news that there would be a series 5!

#Poldark fans, @ETomlinson has some exciting news from tonight's screening of S4 episode 1. You don't want to miss this announcement! pic.twitter.com/2IoyL4p8Cu

— Official Poldark (@PoldarkTV) 2 May 2018

Luke Norris, Esme Coy, Christian Brassington,
Joshua Whitehouse, Aidan Turner, Ellise Chappell, Beatie Edney

Debbie Horsfield, Aidan Turner and Karen Thrussell

Poldark S4 Preview Screening at BFI

Poldark series four is to get a preview screening at the BFI Southbank this May!

The first episode will be shown and Aidan Turner will be there for the Q&A along with writer Debbie Horsfield and executive producer Karen Thrussell.

The event will take place on 2 May at 8.15pm. Tickets are available from the BFI website from 3 April for BFI members and 10 April at 11.30 am for non-members. Tickets are limited to two per person.

Details and tickets are available from the BFI website.

Nine Snippets from 'Poldark on Stage'

Rebecca Keane, Debbie Horsfield, Damien Timmer and
Karen Thrussell

Poldark on Stage was a chance for fans to find out more about the show from screenwriter Debbie Horsfield and Executive Producers Karen Thrussell, Damien Timmer and Rebecca Keane. Now-familiar stories such as how Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson were cast, were mixed with new tales to make an interesting evening topped, wonderfully, by a look at some film from series four. Fans were treated to a three minute clip from episode one of Ross and Demelza sitting and talking by the fireside. First, though, we saw a preview of S4 as shown to the cast and crew at the wrap party back in January. It looks fabulous!

Here are some snippets from the evening:

• Damien said that the fifth series of Poldark was 'in discussion'.
• Mammoth Screen do not know when series four will be aired but say it may be a little earlier than last year. S4 will take us to the end of The Angry Tide.
• Damien said: There are plans afoot for an American fan event: that's certainly been discussed.
• Debbie uses an 18th century Cornish lexicon to ensure that the Cornish dialogue she writes is as authentic as possible. She is convinced Winston Graham used this lexicon too, as all the phrases from the books are in it. Debbie invented the word 'skillage' - a favourite from the show.
• There is a scene in S4 where Ross and Demelza are racing their horses across the sand and, during the filming, Eleanor's horse edged in front. Aidan, looking over and getting a bit cross about this, urged his horse on but couldn't catch up. When Karen spoke to them afterwards Eleanor was quietly smug while Aidan was all "Well my horse isn't as fast..."
• The BBC have a standard amount of money they pay for an hour of drama and don't pay any more because it's an historical drama filmed in Cornwall. The production company has to work out how much money they need to raise, outside of the BBC licence fee and tax credit, to make the show. They overspent on the first series of Poldark because it was a much bigger production than anticipated but now the show comes in on budget. Despite claims by the press that 'no expense has been spared' there is always scrimping and saving. Debbie is very strict about the finance and is good at finding the dramatic purpose of a scene within the confines of the budget. 
• Talking locations, Rebecca said Nampara is the beating heart of Poldark and they sometimes go and sit in the set and think "We're in Ross's living room."
• Karen nearly resigned over the exterior of Nampara! She felt it should be bigger.  The original plan had been to build an extra wing on the end of the house but then, because they were over-budget, that became impossible so they had to make the house work as it was.
• Poldark is a happy ship! It has one of the happiest, most bonded teams and people care passionately about it.

Poldark on Stage was a fundraiser for the INK Festival which supports the new writing of films and plays in East Anglia. An auction of photographs signed by Eleanor and Aidan raised £340 on the night and the bidding is still open on the auction for one of Ross's waistcoats. Check out the details here.

Aidan Turner talks 'Poldark' Series Four Air Date and Series Five

Photo: Radio Times

Poldark Series Four will air in the UK earlier than last year according to Aidan Turner.

In an interview with the Radio Times at the Covers Party last night he said it would return, “Sooner rather than later, I imagine. I think it’s probably a different time to last year, it’s probably earlier from what I can gather. They need to finish post production and all of those sorts of things so that’s when I step out.”

He also confirmed that a fifth series has been green lit saying,“Definitely we’re going to do season five, we’re going to shoot the fifth one. After that, I don’t know. We’ll have to see how it all goes, but definitely for five. It’s kind of one step at a time.”

Aidan was at the Radio Times Covers Party to collect the award for the Poldark cover along with writer Debbie Horsfield, executive producer Karen Thrussell and Aunt Agatha herself, Caroline Blakiston. It was great to see stills photographer Robert Viglasky there as well, as he produces the photographs for so many fine covers. Here are some pictures from the night.

Aidan Turner, Caroline Blakiston, Debbie Horsfield, Karen Thrussell Photo: Official Poldark

Aidan with Robert Viglasky  Photo: Robert Viglasky

With GBBO Photo: Kate Lyon

Photo: Radio Times

'Poldark' Q&A; in Suffolk

Writer Debbie Horsfield and Mammoth Screen producers Damien Timmer, Karen Thrussell and Rebecca Keane "spill the beans behind the scenes" at this Poldark Q&A held in aid of INK Festival. A showing of an unseen preview of series four and some Poldark out-takes add to the excitement of the evening, as does an auction of something 'up close and personal' of Aidan Turner's.

The Q&A is on 17 February, 2018 at 7.30 pm, The Village Hall, Walberswick, Suffolk.
Tickets: £15 are  available from the village Tuck Shop or from [email protected] .

See Poldark Q&A  for more information.

Filming Starts on 'Poldark' Series Four

On Monday 4 September principal filming started on the fourth series of Poldark and it wasn't long before we had some pictures from the set.

Official Poldark kicked things off with a tweet:

And action! #Poldark Series 4 is rolling… pic.twitter.com/QePp2a2NrV

— Official Poldark (@PoldarkTV) 5 September 2017

Heida Reed (Elizabeth) followed this with a pic of herself and Aidan Turner (Ross) on her instagram

Then, while we were enjoying seeing these familiar faces, there came news of some new cast members to welcome.

Radio Times announced Rebecca Front will join the cast as the formidable Lady Whitworth, Osborne Whitworth's mother.









Official Poldark followed this by introducing Max Bennett as the nasty Monk Adderley and Louis Davison the latest Geoffrey Charles.

More #Poldark S4 casting news: the wonderful Max Bennett has been cast as the... less than wonderful Monk Adderley! pic.twitter.com/Y59YrCfDNm

— Official Poldark (@PoldarkTV) 6 September 2017

Our new Geoffrey Charles - Louis Davison! Welcome to team #Poldark. pic.twitter.com/BN38J7sCNg

— Official Poldark (@PoldarkTV) 5 September 2017

Returning to Poldark, along with the series regulars, are Josh Whitehouse (Hugh Armitage), Christian Brassington (Reverend Osborne Whitworth), Ellise Chappell (Morwenna), Harry Richardson and Tom York (Drake and Sam Carne).

It's welcome back to series three producer Michael Ray and director Joss Agnew who is joined by new director Brian Kelly (Downton Abbey).  Also returning is hair and makeup designer Pippa Woods, who did such a terrific job last time.

Mammoth Screen's executive producer Karen Thrussell says: "We were hugely gratified by the massive amount of love the audience felt for series three. We hope this will be our strongest series yet, with eight brilliant scripts from Debbie Horsfield, a whole new world of stories and our very wonderful cast."

I'm excited already!

Ross and Demelza: A Happier Time

The events of Poldark series two led to a make or break situation for Ross and Demelza but series three sees them still together.

"I think it is a happier time for them," Eleanor Tomlinson says at the press preview, "They've decided to work together as the great team that they are. It's a decision Demelza has made, to stay with him because she still loves him and wants to be with him. So she has to move on."

Eleanor Tomlinson. Photo Evie Bowman

But she's still trying to work out what's going on with Ross. "Yeah," says Eleanor, "That's marriage!"
And what are Aidan's thoughts? "Ah, um,well..."
"Aidan wasn't listening!" teases Eleanor.
"That's marriage, right?" he quickly quips  to much laughter!

Executive producer Karen Thrussell explains,"There's a certain amount of avoidance going on."
"Yeah," Aidan picks up on this, "There's a lot of that. If Ross isn't thinking about it or talking about it, it's not really happening. There's a lot of denial so he just keeps himself busy, taking his mind off that pressing concern until there's a real reason to think about it. It's interesting playing someone like that. If he just involves himself in something else he can detach himself from reality." He adds wistfully, "It's quite a talent!" and everyone laughs.

Aidan Turner Photo: Evie Bowman

Aidan thinks Ross is a good father. "He's kindhearted, a hard worker, morally responsible. He's a caring man, not a lazy fellow. He'd be inspiring for a young kid. Someone to look up to. A good dad."

But will Ross be taking his shirt off this year? "Am I keeping my clothes on?" Aidan responds like it's a non-issue for him. "I think the clothes stay on this year - yeah. Maybe there's some topless sleeping. I don't know. Honestly, I can't remember. The clothes come on and off so easy these days!"


You can find out for yourself very soon. The new series of Poldark  starts in June on BBC One.

Please remember to credit Poldarked when reposting from this article.

Related links:
Letters, Puddings and Drama: On the Set of Poldark Series 3
Pics from Poldark S3 Preview Screening
Dramatic Start to Poldark Series 3

Pics from 'Poldark' S3 Preview Screening

Here are a few pics from the Q&As at last night's Poldark S3 preview screening. Sorry, there's no report as news from the event is embargoed for a while.

Photo: Evie Bowman

Eleanor Tomlinson 

Luke Norris

Aidan Turner 

Aidan and Jack Farthing

Karen Thrussell, Luke Norris, Eleanor Tomlinson

Ellise Chappell (Morwenna)

Debbie Horsfield, Harry Richardson (Drake), Tom York (Sam)

All photos by Evie Bowman.

'Poldark' Wins TRIC Award!

Here's some fabulous news for us all to enjoy! Poldark is the winner of the HD Drama Programme of the Year award at the Television and Radio Industries Club!

Poldark beat off the competition from Cold Feet and Vera to win. The award was collected by screenwriter Debbie Horsfield, executive producer Karen Thrussell, author Winston Graham's son Andrew, Ruby Bentall (Verity), Beatie Edney (Prudie) and Sebastian Armesto (Tankard) at a lunch time ceremony at Grosvenor House, London on 14 March, 2017.

Congratulations Poldark!  Well deserved.

Photo: TRIC

Andrew Graham and Debbie Horsfield Photo: Official Poldark

Ruby Bentall, Debbie Horsfield, Beatie Edney
Photo: Official Poldark

Karen Thrussell, Debbie Horsfield
Photo: Official Poldark

Getting to Know the 'Poldark' S3 Crew

Ever since Aidan Turner let it slip at the National Television Awards that Poldark S3 was on the cards we've been waiting for the BBC's official announcement. At last it's here: Poldark S3 has been commissioned and will start filming in September!

While there are no details of new casting - and we're all keen to find out who will play Hugh Armitage - here's a little about the crew.

The now familiar faces of Debbie Horsfield (screenwriter), Damien Timmer and Karen Thrussell (executive producers for Mammoth Screen) continue at the helm, having been involved with the show from the start. The executive producers are joined by Tom Mullens (Mammoth Screen) and Elizabeth Kilgarriff for the BBC. Elizabeth visited the set of Poldark earlier in the year with the BBC's Director General, Tony Hall and Managing Director of Finance and Operations, Anne Bulford. Here is Elizabeth standing to the left of Aidan.

From left to right: Debbie Horsfield, Anne Bulford, Elizabeth Kilgarriff, Aidan Turner, Tony Hall, Damien Timmer, Karen Thrussell.  Photo: Mammoth Screen

The producers for series three, Roopesh Parekh and Michael Ray, are no newcomers to the Poldark team. Roopesh is the co-producer on Poldark S2.  He's also worked with Aidan as line producer on the BBC's adaptation of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None. Other credits include the excellent The Hollow Crown. Michael Ray has previously worked on Poldark as the script editor.  Here he is at a Poldark script meeting helping S1 director William McGregor act out a scene!

William McGregor (left) and Michael Ray.  Photo: Mammoth Screen

Poldark S3 sees two new directors joining the show: Joss Agnew and Stephen Woolfenden. Joss Agnew's credits include Mr Selfridge, Jekyll and Hyde and Young Dracula. He has won a Bafta Cymru and three Royal Television Society awards. Stephen Woolfenden comes to Poldark from Harry Potter. He has worked on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and four Harry Potter films. His other credits include the recently released The Legend on Tarzan.

Poldark S3 will start filming in September.

Roopesh Parekh

Michael Ray

Joss Agnew