Poldark’s writer Debbie Horsfield says the show could return for a sixth series – if the BBC want it.
The 18th century period drama’s upcoming fifth series is being as the final season of the programme – which stars Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson – and is the first one not adapted directly from Winston Graham’s books.
The soon-to-be-seen episodes instead see Horsfield bridge the 10-year gap between novels seven and eight so Turner can continue to play Captain Ross Poldark in his 30s, but there are still five tomes left which the screenwriter insists could be used for inspiration in the future if the appetite for more ‘Poldark’ is there from BBC bosses.
Speaking at a preview screening of the series earlier this week, Horsfield is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: "Never say never. We’ve had an amazing run but there are five books left and who knows what could happen in a few years. "The BBC would need to say that they wanted more and we’d take it from there."
The latest version of ‘Poldark’ was first broadcast on BBC One in 2015 and after working on the programme non-stop Horsfield is looking forward to a well-earned rest.
She said: "I’ve had my first non-working holiday in six years. I’m normally writing the next scripts by now but I’ve just spent 10 days in Borneo without work and it was bliss."
Horsfield previously revealed the upcoming season will be based between 1800 and 1810, which takes place in between Graham’s seventh novel ‘The Angry Tide’ – on which series four was based – and his eighth novel, ‘The Stranger from the Sea’.
She said: "In ‘The Stranger from the Sea’ Winston Graham made many references to developments that happened in the ‘gap’ years. Much can also be inferred.
"There are, of course, also historical events and people of the time, both in Cornwall and in London.
"Series five will draw on all of these to follow the lives of the Poldarks, George Warleggan, the Enyses, and the Carnes in this intervening period."
As well as Turner coming back in the title role, Tomlinson will return as Demelza Poldark, Jack Farthing is back as George Warleggan, and several other stars such as Luke Norris (Dr Dwight Enys), Gabriella Wilde (Caroline Enys), Ellise Chappell (Morwenna Carne), Harry Richardson (Drake Carne), Tom York (Sam Carne), and Beatie Edney (Prudie) will also return.
What’s more, several stars have joined the cast for the upcoming series, including Lily Dodsworth Evans, Kerri McLean, Sofia Oxenham, Vincent Regan, Peter Sullivan and Freddie Wise.
Poldark could carry on after series five
