The Forsytes on Channel 5: Cast of 'lavish new adaptation' includes stars from Poldark, The Split, and Coronation Street
New opulent period drama The Forsytes whisks us back to the upper classes of the late Victorian era
The Forsytes is landing on Channel 5, welcoming us into the opulent world of the upper classes in the late Victorian era – and the cast is rich in famous faces.
This is no fluffy period drama. In this lavish series, love, money and power rule everything. Based on author John Galsworthy’s novels, The Forsyte Saga, the six-part show chronicles the lives across four generations of stockbrokers. But, while the Forsytes are renowned for being sticklers for tradition, there is conflict brewing behind closed doors that threatens to tear the family apart.
As the next generation of businessmen prepare to take over the family profession, the question of who will be taking the reins is causing trouble between Soames Forsyte and his cousin, Jolyon. But their boardroom battle soon gets forgotten when two women enter the men’s lives. Soon, each family member must decide whether to follow their head or their hearts.
The show’s makers are so convinced that this is going to be a huge hit that The Forsytes series 2 is already being filmed. But what about series 1? The Forsytes on Channel 5 cast included stars from Downton Abbey, Doctor Who and The Morning Show. Let’s meet them…
The Forsytes cast on Channel 5: Eleanor Tomlinson stars as dressmaker Louisa Byrne
Who is Louisa Byrne? Louisa is a former ladies maid who arrived in London to become a seamstress. She is also Jolyon Junior’s first love after they met in Italy before he was married.
Where have you seen Eleanor Tomlinson before? Eleanor, 33, is best known for playing Demelza in BBC One’s Poldark alongside Aidan Turner.
The London-born actress has also appeared in BBC One series The White Queen as Lady Isabel Neville. Other notable roles include Amy in The War of the Worlds, and Lady Gabby in BBC comedy, The Outlaws.
In 2023, Eleanor starred in Channel 4 thriller The Couple Next Door as Evie. She also played Sylvie in the Netflix adaptation of One Day.
Millie Gibson plays Soames’ love interest, Irene Heron
Who is Irene Heron? Irene is a dancer who is forced to give up her dreams of making it big in Paris when she is left penniless. Soon she catches the eye of ambitious Soames Forsyte and her world is turned upside down.
What else has Millie Gibson been in before? Born and bred in Manchester, 21 year-old Millie has enjoyed huge success in her career.
She is best known for playing Kelly Neelan in Coronation Street between 2019 to 2022. The role was meant to be just five episodes, but Millie soon became a regular. She won a British Soap Award for Best Young Performer for the part in 2022.
In 2023, Millie landed the part of the Doctor’s companion, Ruby Sunday, in Doctor Who. She played the coveted role until 2025. Before landing her role in Coronation Street, Millie also appeared in BBC drama Love, Lies and Records, and ITV series Butterfly.
Joshua Orpin is businessman Soames Forsyte
Who is Soames Forsyte? Soames is the ambitious son of James. He will stop at nothing to make his way up the career ladder, even if it means stepping on his cousin, Jolyon Junior, on the way.
Where have you seen Joshua Orpin before? Joshua, 31, is an Australian actor from Melbourne. He is known for his role as Conner Kent in DC Universe series Titans on HBO Max. He also starred as Wyatt in the 2025 movie I Know What You Did Last Summer, and played Axel in The Neon Spectrum in 2017.
Home and Away fans will know Joshua best for playing Rory Templeton in the soap in 2024.
The Forsytes cast on Channel 5: Danny Griffin portrays Jolyon Forsyte Junior
Who is Jolyon Forsyte? Jolyon is the bohemian son of Jolyon Senior. He is more interested in art than the stuffy world of business – just don’t tell his father.
What else has Danny Griffin been in before? London-born Danny was raised in Cornwall. He is best known for playing the lead role, Sky, in Netflix hit series Fate: The Winx Saga.
The 28-year-old, who is also a model, recently starred as Aslan in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen. Prior to this, he played Shane in Get Even, and appeared in BBC comedy So Awkward.
Tuppence Middleton plays Jolyon Junior’s wife, Frances Forsyte
Who is Frances Forsyte? Frances might only be a Forsyte by marriage, but that doesn’t mean she is any less ambitious. Determined to make her husband the head of the family firm, Frances is the driving force behind Jolyon’s success.
Where have you seen Tuppence Middleton before? Tuppence, 38, made her television breakthrough in Bones in 2008. She then went on to star in New Tricks, Friday Night Dinner, Lewis, Black Mirror, and Sense8.
The Bristol-born star made her big screen breakthrough in historical film The Imitation Game in 2014. She also played Lucy Smith in the 2019 movie Downton Abbey and 2022’s Downton Abbey: A New Era.
Thriller fans will probably know her best for playing Fi Lawson in ITV’s Our House, opposite Line of Duty‘s Martin Compston. Despite popular belief, Tuppence isn’t related to the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, despite sharing a surname!
Francesca Annis stars as Ann Forsyte in The Forsytes cast on Channel 5
Who is Ann Forsyte? As the matriarch of the family, Ann wastes no time in telling it like it is. She loves her family and has the unique ability to get the best from them.
What else has Francesca Annis been in? English actress Francesca has enjoyed an extensive career, most notably her lead role in Lillie, for which she won a BAFTA.
Francesca is well known for appearing in TV series like Wives and Daughters, and Reckless. She also played Lady Jessica in the 1984 film, Dune.
The 80-year-old has also starred in ITV period drama Home Fires, comedy drama Cranford, and the movie Macbeth. Most recently, she played Dame Harriet Kenny in series 2 of BBC legal drama, Showtrial.
Stephen Moyer is Ann’s firstborn, Jolyon Forsyte Senior
Who is Jolyon Forsyte Senior? Jolyon Senior is Ann’s eldest son. He is head of the family and runs the stockbroking firm Forsyte & Co. He believes his son should take over at work. But his long-running feud with his brother, James, threatens to ruin everything.
Where have you seen Stephen Moyer before? Stephen, 56, is a British actor and film director. He is best known for his role as vampire Bill Compton in the HBO series, True Blood. He has also starred in Casualty, Waking the Dead, and Sexy Beast.
Stephen, who was born in Essex, has also appeared as Reed Strucker in Marvel-based series The Gifted between 2017 and 2019. He was in comedy series Elsbeth, and has joined the cast for upcoming season 3 of Netflix’s action series The Night Agent.
Most recently Stephen has appeared on Acorn TV as detective inspector Mick Palmer in Art Detectives.
Jack Davenport stars as Jolyon Senior’s brother, James Forsyte
Who is James Forsyte? James is Ann’s competitive younger son. He has been caught up in a life-long feud with his brother Jolyon Senior over who should be running the family company.
What else has Jack Davenport been in? Jack, 52, is one of the most versatile actors on our screens. He’s appeared in everything from Hollywood movies to British dramas.
Jack is, of course, best known for playing Miles Stewart in This Life, which kickstarted his career. He went on to appear in Coupling, and 2013 ITV drama Breathless. He has also starred in huge movies like The Talented Mr Ripley, and Kingsman: The Secret Service.
London-born Jack gained international recognition in 2003 when he landed the role of villainous James Norrington in the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie. He later went on to star in the franchises’ other films, Dead Man’s Chest, and At World’s End.
Most recently he has played Jason Craig in Apple TV Plus’ The Morning Show. He’s also played Karl Grove in Why Women Kill, and Nils Headley in Dr Death.
Earlier this year, he starred in The Assassin on Prime Video alongside Keeley Hawes. He played hired hitman, Sean in the cast.
Justine Moore stars as June Forsyte in The Forsytes cast on Channel 5
Who is June Forsyte? June is Frances’ daughter from a previous marriage, and the beloved step-daughter of Joylon Junior. June and her mother’s relationship is tense as they don’t share the same outlook on life. However, Joylon and June are very close. They both enjoy art and dream of a life away from tradition and wealth.
What else has Justine appeared in? Justine is fairly new to the acting world. Until now, she is probably best known for her role as Maisy in Without Sin. She also appeared in Outlawed in 2018, and played Jill Mellor in Call the Midwife in 2023.
Fiona Button plays Irene’s stepmother, Mrs Clarissa Heron
Who is Mrs Clarissa Heron? Clarissa is Irene’s stuffy and rude stepmother. She makes no secret of the fact she was married to Irene’s father for his money, and takes an instant like to Soames when they first meet.
Where do you recognise Fiona Button from? Fans of BBC legal drama The Split will instantly recognise Fiona. She played the ridiculously likeable Rose Defoe in all three seasons of the show between 2018 and 2022. She also reprised the role for The Split Barcelona, a spin-off special that aired in 2024.
Fiona, who was born in Switzerland but grew up in Newbury, Berkshire, is also known for her role as Tess Roberts in BBC drama, Lip Service. She played the role between 2010 and 2012.
The star also appeared in Dope Girls as Sophie earlier this year, and has also had roles in Death in Paradise and Trying to name but a few.
Josette Simon stars as wealthy heiress Mrs Ellen Parker Barrington
Who is Mrs Ellen Parker Barrington? Mrs Ellen Parker Barrington is a wealthy heiress and friend of the Forsyte family.
Where have you seen Josette before? Josette is no stranger to our screens, having appeared in Silent Witness, Crossfire, Anatomy of a Scandal, and BBC One sci-fi series Blake’s 7.
As well as enjoying a hugely successful career on the stage, Josette also has appeared on the big screen. Most recently she starred in Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy as Talitha, Bridget’s name-dropping co-host.
The Forsytes cast on Channel 5: Susan Hampshire portrays Lady Carteret
Who is Lady Carteret? Lady Carteret is a friend of the Forsyte family.
What else has Susan Hampshire been in? Susan, 88, famously played Fleur Forsyte in the BBC’s 1967 adaptation of the series, The Forsyte Saga.
The three-time Emmy Award winner won the award for Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in 1970 for the role. She later went on to win the same award for her roles in The First Churchills in 1971, and Vanity Fair in 1973.
Over her varied and respected career, Susan has appeared in TV series including The Pallisers in 1974, The Grand in 1997, and Monarch of the Glen from 2000 to 2005. Her film credits include During One Night, The Long Shadow, A Hard Day’s Night, and Malpertuis.
Over the past 20 years, Susan has barely appeared on the small screen. Since 2005, she’s popped up in two episodes of The Royal in 2009, two episodes of Casualty in 2011 and 2013 (as different characters), and one instalment of Midsomer Murders. In 2017, she played Elena in the film Another Mother’s Son, before going on to portray Lady Markby in the movie An Ideal Husband a year later. In 2021, Susan portrayed Lady Whittall in the film Smyrna. So it’s actually been eight years since she last appeared on TV.
Susan was also awarded an OBE in 1995 for services to dyslexic people, and a CBE in 2018 for her services to drama and charity.
Main cast list of The Forsytes on Channel 5:
Francesca Annis plays Ann Forsyte.
Danny Griffin is Jolyon Forsyte.
Joshua Orpin portrays Soames Forsyte.
Tuppence Middleton plays Frances Forsyte.
Millie Gibson stars as Irene Heron.
Stephen Moyer is Jolyon Senior.
Jack Davenport plays James Forsyte.
Eleanor Tomlinson portrays Louisa Byrne.
Justine Moore is June Forsyte.
Naomi Frederick is Emily Forsyte.
Josette Simon is Ellen Parker Barrington.
Sharon Rose plays Alicia Cole.
Susan Hampshire stars as Lady Carteret.
Fiona Button is Mrs Heron.
Eleanor Jackson stars as Winifred Dartie.
Avatar: The Way Of Water star Jamie Flatters plays architect Philip Bosinney.
Baby Reindeer’s Tom Durant-Pritchard is James’ son-in-law, Monty Dartie.
Disclaimer star Owen Igiehon portrays trusted lawyer Isaac Cole, who works for Forsyte & Co.
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