Downton Abbey and One Day stars team up for beloved period drama adaptation

A new adaptation of John Galsworthy's Nobel Prize-winning Forsyte novels is coming to our screens, with stars of Downton Abbey, and Doctor Who leading the cast. The six-part series, titled and penned by writer Debbie Horsfield, is set in 1880s London and follows the lives of the wealthy Forsyte family.

    A new adaptation of John Galsworthy's Nobel Prize-winning Forsyte novels is coming to our screens, with stars of Downton Abbey, and Doctor Who leading the cast. 

    The six-part series, titled and penned by writer Debbie Horsfield, is set in 1880s London and follows the lives of the wealthy Forsyte family. 

    WATCH: The trailer for Netflix's hit series One Day

    BAFTA-winning actress Francesca Annis () portrays Forsyte matriarch Ann, with star Stephen Moyer as her eldest son, Jolyon Senior, who is the head of the family stockbroking business Forsyte & Co.

    Meanwhile, Danny Griffin () plays Stephen's bohemian son Jo, alongside Tuppence Middleton () as his wife Frances, and Eleanor Tomlinson () as Jo's first love and Soho dressmaker Louisa Byrne.

    Also featured in the series are Jack Davenport () as Ann's younger son James, Joshua Orpin () as James' shrewd son Soames, Millie Gibson () as dancer Irene, who Soames falls in love with, and Tom Durant Pritchard () as Monty Dartie, James' son-in-law.

    Rounding out the cast are Josette Simon OBE () as wealthy heiress Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington, Jamie Flatters () as architect Philip Bosinney, and Owen Igiehon () as lawyer Isaac Cole.

    WHAT TO WATCH

    Susan Hampshire, who starred in the BBC's 1967 adaptation of the novels, will also appear in the upcoming series as Lady Carteret.

    As well as the BBC's 1967 , Galsworthy's novels were also adapted by ITV in a 2002 series starring Damian Lewis and Gina McKee.

    Meenu Gaur () and Annetta Laufer () will direct the upcoming drama, with Sarah Lewis () producing. 

    Filming is set to begin in May in locations in England, Wales and Italy.

    Describing the series as a "love letter to the original story", screenwriter Debbie said the 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 center stage". 

    Meanwhile, Damien Timmer, CCO & Founder of production company Mammoth Screen, said the show is "huge". "It's an epic canvas, and Debbie's magnificent scripts have delivered a truly great ensemble cast," he said. 

    MASTERPIECE's Susanne Simpson teased the series as a "sweeping, romantic drama" which portrays "how duty binds a family together until it conflicts with matters of the heart". 

    A release date has yet to be announced.

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