Series synopsis
The Forsyte Saga is a British drama television series that premiered on BBC Two on January 7, 1967. It ended on July 1, 1967. It stars Eric Porter, Susan Hampshire, Nyree Dawn Porter and Kenneth More.
The Forsyte Saga is a 1967 BBC television adaptation of John Galsworthy's series of The Forsyte Saga novels, and its sequel trilogy A Modern Comedy. The series follows the fortunes of the upper middle class Forsyte family, and stars Eric Porter as Soames, Kenneth More as Young Jolyon and Nyree Dawn Porter as Irene.
It was adapted for television and produced by Donald Wilson and was originally shown in twenty-six episodes on Saturday evenings between 7 January and 1 July 1967 on BBC2, at a time ...
Premise
The Forsyte Saga is a 1967 BBC television adaptation of John Galsworthy's series of The Forsyte Saga novels, and its sequel trilogy A Modern Comedy. The series follows the fortunes of the upper middle class Forsyte family, and stars Eric Porter as Soames, Kenneth More as Young Jolyon and Nyree Dawn Porter as Irene.
It was adapted for television and produced by Donald Wilson and was originally shown in twenty-six episodes on Saturday evenings between 7 January and 1 July 1967 on BBC2, at a time when only a small proportion of the population had television sets able to receive this channel. It was therefore the repeat on Sunday evenings on BBC1 starting on 8 September 1968 that secured the programme's success with 18 million tuning in for the final episode in 1969.
It was shown in the United States on public television and broadcast all over the world, and became the first BBC television series to be sold to the Soviet Union.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Eric Porter as Soames Forsyte
- Susan Hampshire as Fleur Mont née Forsyte
- Nyree Dawn Porter as Irene Forsyte née Heron
- Kenneth More as 'Young Jolyon' Forsyte
- Michael York as Jolyon 'Jolly' Forsyte
- Fay Compton as 'Aunt Ann' Forsyte
- Lana Morris as Helene Hillmer
- Margaret Tyzack as Winifred Dartie
Supporting cast
- John Welsh as James Forsyte
- Joseph O'Conor as 'Old Jolyon' Forsyte
- Terence Alexander as Montague 'Monty' Dartie
- John Baskcomb as Timothy Forsyte
- John Bennett as Philip Bosinney
- Martin Jarvis as Jolyon 'Jon' Forsyte
- Jeanne Le Bars as Receptionist
- John Barcroft as George Forsyte
- Nicholas Pennell as Michael Mont
Guest cast
- Jeanne Le Bars as Receptionist
- John Barcroft as George Forsyte
- Nicholas Pennell as Michael Mont
Episodes
This series spans 2 seasons with 32 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 6 | ||
| Season 1 | 26 | January 7, 1967 | July 1, 1967 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | From the Rehearsal Room | |
| 2 | Interviews behind the Scenes | |
| 3 | Outtakes |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Family Festival The elder generation of Forsytes gather at Uncle Timothy's to exchange gossip about two of the younger members of the family: James's daughter Winifred is engaged to the charming but financially questionable Montague Dartie, while Jolyon's married son, Jo, commits adultery with the Austrian governess, Helene. Old Jo overhears the gossip at Winifred's wedding, while Helene has bittersweet news for Young Jo: they are going to have a child. |
January 7, 1967 |
| 2 |
A Family Scandal Young Jo’s decision to divorce his wife to live with Helene and their child shocks the family, and causes Old Jo to adjust his will in favor of his granddaughter June. Elsewhere, stuffy lawyer Soames Forsyte is enchanted with young but penniless Irene Herrin, whose ethereal beauty will be the catalyst for much of the series. |
January 14, 1967 |
| 3 |
The Pursuit of Happiness Two sons are born. Winifred and her profligate husband Monty must appeal to her father James to ease Monty’s debts, as Winifred gives birth to her son, Val. The accidental death of Young Jo’s first wife allows Jo and Helene to legally marry. Helene gives birth to the third generation of Jolyon Forsytes, nicknamed Jolly, while Old Jo assumes parental authority over granddaughter June. Soames methodically and relentlessly pursues an unwilling Irene, who finally accepts his marriage proposal, but with one condition: that he release her from the marriage if they are not happy. Their wedding night sets the stage for despair ahead. |
January 21, 1967 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | January 7, 1967 |
| Last aired | July 1, 1967 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Saturday |