Ross Poldark's Journey in Poldark S4

Aidan Turner (Ross), Debbie Horsfield (writer) and more reflect on the evolution of Ross Poldark in Season 4. Via Masterpiece PBS.

Locations in Poldark S4 from Cornwall to London

Poldark's cast and crew take us behind the scenes to explore the different locations in Poldark series four from Cornwall to London via Masterpiece PBS.

Behind the Scenes of the New Styles in 'Poldark' Series 4

Hair and makeup designer Pippa Woods talks about the new costumes and looks in Poldark series four via Masterpiece PBS

On the Street Where Ross Lives

There I was last summer, watching  Poldark  and totally absorbed in series four, when suddenly I was brought back to reality by the sight of Ross (Aidan Turner) leaving his London home. Surely his lodgings were in what, back in 2009, we fans of Being Human called 'Becca's Alley'?

Now I know many of you have watched Being Human but, in case you haven't, 'Becca's Alley' is the location of a very important scene in the first episode of the show, where Mitchell (Aidan Turner) has to decide whether to save Becca's life. And now here was Ross Poldark striding out of his house right opposite the very spot where Becca had lain!

I was so convinced it was the same place that, on a recent trip to Bristol, I went to check it out. The passage itself is a private alley just by St. Nicholas Market and there, unmistakably, was Ross Poldark's house, just a pace away from where Becca had 'died'.

I wonder what went through Aidan's mind when he found out where Ross was living?

Site of Ross's lodgings on the left and Becca's death scene on the right.
Photo: Bristol Film Office

Jessica Harris, Aidan Turner and Russell Tovey in 'Becca's Alley'  Being Human S1 Episode 1

Aidan Turner and Russell Tovey in Being Human S1 Episode 1

Related Links:
Looking for Ross Poldark's London Home

'Poldark' S4 Preview in Nashville

Nashville Public Television are showing the first episode of the new series of  Poldark at a free screening in Nashville.

The series four preview will be at the Frist Art Museum, Nashville on Thursday 13 September at 6pm.

The event is free but registration is required. You can sign up here.

Poldark returns to PBS Masterpiece on Sunday 30 September.

Related links:
Poldark S4 Preview Screening in Chattanooga
Poldark S4 Preview Screening in Utah

Poldark's Weekly Viewing Figures

The second episode of the new series of Poldark  built on the strong start made by the premiere with the seven day consolidated figures showing an additional 111,000 viewers. 6.1million watched this second episode according to Barb,  the same number as watched the finale of Poldark series three.
World Cup football pushed  Poldark from the top of the BBC One programme leader board last week to fifth place this, but it was still the top non World Cup show.

Related Links:
'Poldark' Tops the Tables

Poldark: The Tweetest Thing

Last night's episode of Poldark (episode 4) saw 1.9K Tweets posted in total, generating 731.6K impressions reports Kantar Media.

There was a flurry of activity ten minutes into the episode when the appearance of Geoffrey Charles (Louis Davison) baffled many viewers, but  #AidanTurner was still the most popular character/actor with 2.6% of Tweets mentioning him.

Related Links:
Tweet Poldark Tweet

'Poldark' S4 Ep 3 Preview Clips

Here are two clips from episode three of Poldark series four.

Dwight and Caroline: 'I hope she won't be a spoiled brat'




Ossie and Morwenna 'What an odious journey'




Both clips can be viewed on the BBC Poldark website

Dwight and Caroline

Ossie and Morwenna

'Poldark' Tops the Tables

Congratulations Poldark! The first episode of the new series was the top BBC One show in the week ending 10 June, 2018.

The seven day consolidated figures from Barb, which do not include BBC iplayer, show almost six million people watched the premiere of Poldark series four, beating Eastenders into second and third place with 5.9 and 5.8 m, but not reaching the 6.7m of the series three premiere a year ago.

Things are looking good for next week too, with the second episode of Poldark being watched by 4.95m according to overnight's TV, up on the 4.7m of the previous week.

Go Poldark!

Poldark S4 E2 : Ross Bathes After a Fight

 Here's another clip from Poldark S4 E2: Ross Bathes After a Fight. 

 You can also watch it on the BBC One site

Tweet Poldark Tweet

Haven't we been busy?
The first episode of Poldark series four was the third most engaged-with programme on Twitter on Sunday according to Kantar Media.  It received 4.3 thousand posts during the day giving 1.5 million impressions.  Love Island came top with 60.2K tweets and 26 M impressions.

Kantar Media say:

Happy Tweeting!

Poldark S4 DVD Available for Pre-order

Add caption

The DVD of latest series of Poldark is now available for pre-order on Amazon.

The Region 2 DVD (may not be viewable outside Europe) costs £24.99 and will be released on 30 July, 2018. The  Blu-ray version price £27.99 is due for release on 6 August.

The description says:  1796: To defend Cornwall and those he loves from an empowered George, Ross must learn to play the political game on a journey that takes him to the nation's capital. While Demelza manages the Poldark’s affairs at home, Elizabeth moves to further secure her marriage but Drake struggles in resigning Morwenna to life with Osborne, and the Enyses are tested as never before.

And if you haven't got the past DVDs the box set of series one to four is also available for pre-order price £49.99.  The Blu-ray costs £59.99.

Here are the links:
Poldark Series 4 DVD
Poldark Series 4 Blu-ray
Poldark Series 1-4 DVD
Poldark Series 1-4 Blu-ray

Poldark S4 to Air in US in September!

Poldark returns to Masterpiece PBS on 30 September!  Masterpiece announced the fourth series in this tweet:

“I must sell my soul and become a politician…”#PoldarkPBS, Season 4 premieres September 30 at 9/8c on MASTERPIECE on @PBS! pic.twitter.com/wZ0cKHaD7R

— Masterpiece PBS (@masterpiecepbs) 31 May 2018

Poldark S4 Episode Clip

Ross Poldark  (Aidan Turner) comes to arrest  rioters in this clip from Poldark series 4 episode 1.
A synopsis of this first episode is available in our Episode Guide.

Clip thanks to BBC One

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!

Writer Debbie Horsfield on What's in Store in 'Poldark' S4

Debbie Horsfield gives her insight into the new series of Poldark and what is store for the characters...

‘After the upheavals and threats to their marriage in series three, series four sees a major reconnection between Ross and Demelza as they realise how close they came to losing everything they hold dear. London calls for Ross, whilst Demelza holds the fort in Cornwall. We have a host of exciting new characters, some new rivalries and challenges - and some old rivalries which escalate to the point of catastrophe.

‘The world of Poldark is always expanding, and as we move to London we encounter a new social and political scene and a host of new characters.  Some of these are actual historical personages (Prime Minister Pitt, Attorney General John Mitford, William Wilberforce).  Others, such as Monk Adderley, are vibrant and exotic new additions, who have a major impact on the lives of Ross and Demelza.  As always though Ross and Demelza remain at the heart of the story.’

She explains how Ross becomes involved in politics…

‘Demelza said to Ross in series one “You cannot save all the world, you can only make your own small corner a fairer place”.   Ross has spent the last two series trying to do that. But towards the end of series three he begins to realise it’s not enough to operate at a local level. The factors which are impacting the lives of his tenants, workers and families - food shortages, rising prices, unemployment, the effects of suppressive new laws - are not things over which he has control. He realises that in order to have a say in creating genuine change, at a national level, he must do so in the corridors of power in Westminster.’ 

 And of the relationship between Ross and George...

‘The Ross/George rivalry continues through all 12 books of the Poldark saga and this series sees it intensify politically, commercially and personally.  Ross and George have always had opposing views of how to do business and how to treat their fellow men. Series four sees them diverge even further, whilst periodically going head to head in the personal and political arenas. Ultimately though they find themselves unexpectedly in the same boat in the face of unexpected tragedy.’

On the new characters...

‘Monk Adderley, an MP and former Army captain, is famed for his duelling and his scandalous affairs.  Reminiscent of Valmont (In Les Liaisons Dangereuses) he is utterly without conscience or loyalty and takes a twisted pleasure in wreaking havoc in the lives of others. Having said that, he does subscribe to a peculiar code of honour in relation to a particular incident which has catastrophic consequences. 

‘Back in Cornwall we also introduce the terrifying Lady Whitworth, mother of the repulsive Reverend Whitworth and scourge of her daughter-in-law Morwenna.  We’re thrilled that Rebecca Front has joined the cast and is needless to say magnificent in her creation of this monstrous and overbearing creature.

‘With the addition of new characters, new horizons and new conflicts, there’s plenty to get viewers talking.  However, I suspect the Monk Adderley storyline is one which they will particularly relish.  And as ever I hope the on going love story of Ross and Demelza will continue to engage.’

Did Debbie enjoy writing series four and what, for her, makes Poldark an enjoyable experience to return to each series?

‘This is a particularly turbulent period of British history - a time when we came close to having our own revolution (following those of American and France) and it’s been enjoyable to write about the unfolding dramas set against it.

‘For me the on going Poldark saga never ceases to excite, challenge and engage.  As a story with the portrait of a marriage at its heart, sometimes it’s made for uncomfortable viewing.  Winston Graham was writing about a real marriage, not a rose-tinted starry-eyed version of one - but that’s what makes it all the more rewarding to bring to the screen. The reconnection between Ross and Demelza, the renewed passion, the forgiveness and redemption of their marriage has been hard won, and is therefore all the more to be valued and enjoyed.’

Source: BBC Media Centre

Related Links:

Aidan Turner Talks Poldark S4

Eleanor Tomlinson Talks Poldark S4
Poldark S4: Max Bennett is Monk Adderley

Poldark S4: Rebecca Front is Lady Whitworth
Heida Reed is Elizabeth Warleggan
Jack Farthing Talks George Warleggan
Poldark S4: Gabriella Wilde is Caroline Enys
Poldark S4: Luke Norris is Dwight Enys
Poldark S4: Christian Brassington Talks Reverend Osborne Whitworth

 Poldark S4: Harry Richardson is Drake Carne
Poldark S4: Ellise Chappell is Morwenna Whitworth
Beatie Edney Talks Poldark S4
Poldark S4: Tom York is Sam Carne
Poldark S4: Ciara Charteris is Emma Tregirls

Poldark Returns 10 June and here's the Trailer!

It's confirmed!

Poldark returns to UK televisions on Sunday 10 June at 9pm!  Earlier today the BBC tweeted:

Our favourite Cornishman is back. Series 4 of #Poldark returns to @BBCOne on Sunday 10 June, 9pm. pic.twitter.com/ldcRPpO4KG

— BBC One (@BBCOne) 30 May 2018

And just to add to the excitement the trailer dropped tonight.

Ross Poldark had better look over his shoulders..." Series 4 of #Poldark begins Sunday 10 June at 9pm. pic.twitter.com/PGrqI3u9u4

— BBC One (@BBCOne) 30 May 2018

Doesn't it look fabulous?

Poldark S4: Ciara Charteris is Emma Tregirls

Ciara Charteris as Emma Tregirls  Photo: Official Poldark

For Ciara Charteris, filming in Cornwall provided her with the opportunity to engage in an outdoors activity few people would be brave enough to attempt.

‘I love to wild and cold-water swim so for me being in Cornwall was amazing as on any mornings off that I had I could be in that sea which was wonderful, even though it was September. My mum and my grandma both really love it and so we have been camping and wild swimming since I was really little. Everyone else on set thought I was mad, especially the night I turned up to dinner soaking wet, but it was really fun. Cornwall is such a beautiful place and there are so many incredible places to swim so for me, it was a real joy.’

Ciara tells us why she was originally drawn to the role of Emma Tregirls.

‘I had been in to audition for a few other roles when they first started casting the drama but the reason I wanted to play Emma was because she was so different to anyone else in the show. She is so rough and ready and even though we see a slightly more gentle side to her this series, she really holds her own and has a lot of strength. It has been great to play a character in a period drama who is not so scrubbed up. Just like her father, Tholly, Emma has a sense of rough and readiness as well as an incredible confidence and inner strength.

'She is also quite outrageous; I have some of the best lines. For the rest of my life I will always remember the fact that I got to say the line; ‘I have been with many men in the hayfields.’ Who wouldn’t want to play someone who loves life and men so unashamedly? She has this incredible zest for life and that is a real joy to play as an actress. She has this cheekiness and she takes on anyone that she meets so she has been really fun.’

Ciara reveals that she couldn’t be less like the character she plays in Poldark.

‘Emma and I are completely different people. In fact, when friends realise that I play her they are completely taken aback and are pretty shocked. I am much more uptight and reserved, I need control whereas Emma is all about the fun and is totally free-wheeling and constantly skipping and dancing through the woods which I would never do without sussing out who is watching. However, playing this role has definitely forced me out of my own head more than ever before.’

Ciara tells us what is in store for the fun-loving Emma, this series, including the tumultuous romance with Demelza’s younger brother, Sam Carne (Tom York).

‘We see Emma fall further for Sam this series and all of the trouble that that brings. Emma has never met anyone like Sam before, so at first we see her want to take on the challenge in a fun way but there are genuine feelings there and it takes her by surprise that she is capable of feeling that much. Sam sees her in a way that she doesn’t even see herself and that is really tough for her but in a good way that happens to you when you are falling in love. However, she is also true to herself so their differences are very tricky. There is this really gentle, loving soul in Emma that is completely reflected through Sam and there is a really fun side of Sam who wants to experience life outside of his religion, which is brought out and reflect in Emma. So there is something beautiful that happens when they are together.’

Ciara has worked on period dramas a lot but she has never had to play a role like Emma whilst wearing a period corset. She tells us what that was like.

‘Last series Emma spent the whole time in her rags but this year, because of the time period, Emma gets a corset and dress. Corsets are not the easiest thing to live in day-to-day and it has given me a lot of respect for our former women. But it does also feel really great to know you can just be squished in every day. Wearing a corset suddenly enforces a posture and a different way of carrying yourself as it transforms the way you would regularly sit, stand or move. Corsets are a garment usually associated with ladies belonging to a higher societal class but Emma is wearing one whilst she sits in the pub and drinks beer so trying to find her very unique mannerisms whilst wearing the costume was very interesting and a lot of fun.’

 Source: BBC Media Centre

Links:

Aidan Turner Talks Poldark S4

Eleanor Tomlinson Talks Poldark S4
Poldark S4: Max Bennett is Monk Adderley

Poldark S4: Rebecca Front is Lady Whitworth
Heida Reed is Elizabeth Warleggan
Jack Farthing Talks George Warleggan
Poldark S4: Gabriella Wilde is Caroline Enys
Poldark S4: Luke Norris is Dwight Enys
Poldark S4: Christian Brassington Talks Reverend Osborne Whitworth

 Poldark S4: Harry Richardson is Drake Carne
Poldark S4: Ellise Chappell is Morwenna Whitworth
Beatie Edney Talks Poldark S4
Poldark S4: Tom York is Sam Carne

Poldark S4: Tom York is Sam Carne

 

Tom York as Sam Carne  Photo: BBC

Demelza’s little brother, Sam Carne, gets into a few scrapes in this series of Poldark. Tom York reveals some of the drama we can expect to see, including a Cornish wrestling match.

‘Sam agrees to a Cornish wrestling match with the brutish Tom Harry (Turlough Convery) for the love of Emma Tregirls (Ciara Charteris), who has promised to attend church with him if he wins. Sam agrees to fight in the hope of finally providing her with the chance to fall in love with Methodism in a way that he has. Filming the match was so much fun. It is a real joy as an actor when you have something so physical to get your teeth into.

'We had to wear the traditional Cornish wrestling jackets, which were our only weapons against each other, as you grab on to each other’s jacket in order to pin your opponent down on the ground. The object is to lift and throw your opponent so that he falls flat onto his back. It was exhausting. It was choreographed but we really wanted to get an authentic feel for it so we had a lot of room to play around within that and get really involved. It is a really long fight so when you see us panting and sweating there is no acting and very little make-up. It was a really immersive experience and it was great fun. From the reactions of the people who were watching it is going to be very exciting.’

Tom reveals that this series kicks off to a very dramatic start.

‘This series covers the time period where crisis is at the highest level it has ever been in Cornwall. The miners and local community find out that grain is being shipped away from this starving population because they can get a better price for it abroad, and so people get very angry and want to do something about it. For Sam, violence is not the way to get something done but people are starving…

From the first moment, in classic Poldark style, Sam gets straight in the middle of something he really shouldn’t be in the middle of and drama takes hold straight away.’

Tom reveals what else is in store for Sam and his family this series.

‘Sam is slowly starting to integrate himself into Ross and Demelza’s lives, although still with trepidation because there is still friction there due to different beliefs and ways of living their lives. Whereas he was dogmatic last year he is much more malleable this year and is trying to find a more generous approach to living.

'He wants to love his family and be a good man and his way of navigating his beliefs previously was inhibiting his ability to do that. After the great shock of the first episode he relaxes and begins to accept his family for the good people that they are.’

Sam’s relationship with his younger brother, Drake, changes this year. Tom divulges a little about their bond and why that shift is necessary.

‘A lot has happened and continues to happen with Drake and he is in a much more difficult state this series. So because of that, the dynamic really changes between these brothers. Sam’s natural instinct is to protect but he realises that it is not working and whatever he seems to do Drake just seems to fall further into this dark place. Sam has to let Drake just be, more than ever and allow his brother to deal with things by himself more than he is used to.

'That in itself is a real lesson Sam is learning, he always wants to do what is best for other people but he has maybe seen last year that trying to control everything for everyone doesn’t work so this time he is trying to let Drake figure things out for himself.  He hopes that by giving him that space he will make the right decisions. It is a difficult lesson for a big brother to learn.’

Relaxing into his faith and into the notion of letting things be isn’t something Sam finds so easy when it comes to matters of the heart…

‘In a big way it comes down to fighting for love this series for Sam. He fights with himself a lot because Emma, as you have seen from previous series, is not necessarily who we would all say Sam is destined to be with but you can’t help whom you fall in love with and Sam falls in a really big way.

'The relationship with Emma is what I am most excited for audiences to see because it is a beautiful one but also a difficult one that I hope people will be able to relate to. Emma represents so many things he wishes he could be and some things he definitely doesn’t wish to be… but he can’t help loving her and even though he knows she is probably not right for him he can’t stop his heart. I think a lot of people can relate to that struggle.’

 Source: BBC Media Centre

Related Links:

Aidan Turner Talks Poldark S4

Eleanor Tomlinson Talks Poldark S4
Poldark S4: Max Bennett is Monk Adderley

Poldark S4: Rebecca Front is Lady Whitworth
Heida Reed is Elizabeth Warleggan
Jack Farthing Talks George Warleggan
Poldark S4: Gabriella Wilde is Caroline Enys
Poldark S4: Luke Norris is Dwight Enys
Poldark S4: Christian Brassington Talks Reverend Osborne Whitworth

 Poldark S4: Harry Richardson is Drake Carne
Poldark S4: Ellise Chappell is Morwenna Whitworth
Beatie Edney Talks Poldark S4
Poldark S4: Ciara Charteris is Emma Tregirls