Buy Poldark

Ross Poldark returns from fighting in the American Revolution to his native Cornwall, finding his fiancée Elizabeth Chynoweth about to marry his wealthy cousin Francis and his home in ruins after his father's death. Ross is a reluctant wedding guest, along with George Warleggan, nephew of a prosperous banker, and his uncle Charles proposes financing him to move to London. Ross, however, stays in Cornwall, rebuilding his home. Whilst at the local market he rescues the waif-like Demelza Carne and takes her home to work for him. Her bullying father arrives with his sons to reclaim her but Ross's tenants turn up to help him and fight them off.
Hide description ▲

Ross decides to reopen the family copper mine Wheal Leisure and persuades Francis to help him. Ross also escorts Francis's put-upon sister Verity to a dance, where he crosses swords with George Warleggan, annoyed that Ross borrowed capital for the mining project from a rival bank to that of his uncle. Verity meets the sea captain Andrew Blamey, who is keen to marry her but George forbids it, claiming that Blamey killed his first wife. The relationship ends when Francis challenges Blamey to a duel, in which Francis is injured, though Demelza proves her worth when she tends to him, impressing Ross.
Hide description ▲

Ross reopens Wheal Leisure, drawing his work force from Charles' mine and winning the respect of his tenants. Whilst he and Demelza are at a local wedding Elizabeth gives birth to a son, Geoffrey Charles. Ross attends the christening , noting not only the growing friendship between George Warleggan and Francis but overhearing gossips speculate on his relationship with Demelza. He is genuinely impressed by her efficiency and starts to confide in her. One of his workers, young father Jim Carter, is taken to court for poaching and Ross speaks on his behalf but fails to prevent the boy being sent to prison. Drunk and miserable he returns home and ends up in bed with the comforting Demelza. Next day he is visited by a sympathetic Elizabeth, clearly unhappy in her marriage. Seeing them together Demelza prepares to leave but Ross urges her to stay and they get married.
Hide description ▲

As Ross makes known his marriage he is derided by certain worthies, notably the Warleggans, who hope it will effect his downfall. Demelza is nervous about visiting the mine and stays away from the funeral after Charles dies. However the kindly Verity proves a true friend, teaching social etiquette to Demelza, who upbraids Ross for not defending the relationship with Blamey. At Christmas Demelza and Ross are invited to stay with Elizabeth and Francis. Elizabeth is gracious, confiding in Ross that she is aware of her husband's gambling and adultery before the Warleggans visit with friends, who seek to humiliate Demelza though she acquits herself well. Later a jubilant Ross learns not only that copper has been found at Wheal Leisure but that Demelza is pregnant.
Hide description ▲

Wedding bells ring as miner Mark Daniel marries visiting actress Keren Smith whilst Demelza and Ross have their own celebration as their daughter Julia is born, Ross not allowing Demelza's father's unwelcome visit to the christening party to ruin matters. Young Dr Dwight Enys comes to the area and is befriended by Ross. He is progressive and philanthropic, which annoys the curmudgeonly incumbent Dr Choake. With widespread poverty and mine closures all around Ross proposes that the pit owners form a collective with their own smelting company, to beat the Warleggans' monopoly, and presses ahead with the scheme. Francis opts out and is subsequently ruined as his mine is forced to close. To repay Verity for her kindness Demelza reunites her with Andrew Blamey in town, where they witness a food riot by starving locals.
Hide description ▲

Whilst Ross's cooperative has some success there are hard times throughout Cornwall and typhoid sweeps through Bodmin jail and kills Jim Carter just as Ross and Dwight break in to rescue him. Dwight is also called upon to visit the injured Keren, who throws herself shamelessly at the young doctor, as Demelza notices. Untouched by privation the Warleggans throw a ball where Francis, struggling to accept his reduced circumstances, neglects Elizabeth, allowing George to step in as her escort. Ross turns up drunk and confronts Halse, the magistrate who jailed Jim and then plays cards recklessly though he does expose his opponent as a card sharp, known to the Warleggans, who are now all the more determined to break him. Further scandal is caused by the arrival of Captain Blamey, who asks Verity to run away with him.
Hide description ▲

Francis wrongly blames Ross for helping Verity elope with Andrew Blamey. Meanwhile, Mark suspects Dwight and Keren of having an affair, starting chain of events which will have tragic consequences and threaten the safety of eveyone in Nampara.
Hide description ▲

Ross faces ruin as, along with the rest of his collective, he must sell to the Warleggans' company at a nominal price. At the same time the disease known as putrid throat sweeps through the county, claiming many lives and Dwight, still contrite over Keren, throws himself into trying to treat it. Elizabeth and her family are stricken and Demelza goes to help them but infects herself and her daughter with disastrous results. Divine justice appears to intervene as the Warleggans' ship and its cargo founder on the rocks and Ross leads the villagers in collecting its spoils from the beach. Demelza recovers from her sickness, only to face another setback to her marriage.
Hide description ▲

Ross is arrested for inciting the looting on the beach and committed to Truro Assize court. Loyal Francis recognizes Warleggan's part in his cousin's downfall but his and Elizabeth's attempts to help are rebuffed. Meanwhile teen-aged orphan and wealthy heiress Caroline Penvenen arrives to stay with her influential uncle Ray, along with her vacuous boyfriend, Unwin Trevaunance, a parliamentary candidate at the local elections. Verity also returns to support Demelza and to reconcile with Francis, who accuses Warleggan of circulating pamphlets blackening Ross's name. On the eve of his trial Ross is visited by Warleggan with a proposal which Ross rejects. Demelza is still optimistic that Ross will walk free but Francis is only despairing and takes drastic action.
Hide description ▲

On the eve of her husband's trial Demelza ignores Ray Penvenen's advice and approaches Judge Lister for mercy but her plan is scuppered by George Warleggan. Warleggan is convinced that Ross will be found guilty but Ross is an immensely popular defendant and despite the intervention of Demelza's father and Warleggan's paid prosecution witnesses his own excellent defence, aided by the testimony of the captain whose life he saved, Dwight and surprisingly Jud , leads to an acquittal. Dwight also attends Francis following his failed suicide bid after his belief that Elizabeth had an affair with Ross and gets closer to Caroline, who is not sorry when outsider Trevaunance's election as MP causes a riot. Warleggan however is still desperate to acquire Ross's mine by any means whilst Demelza and Ross consider having another baby.
Hide description ▲

Ross chairs the meeting for his mine's share-holders, where expansion of Wheal Leisure is approved but Warleggan's spy Tankard is also present and Warleggan's heavies attack Jude for failing to discredit Ross at his trial after their payment to commit perjury. To remain solvent the Poldarks are forced to sell many of their possessions and livestock, causing Demelza to keep her pregnancy secret from her husband. However, following the attack on Jud, Ross realizes Warleggan has schemed to keep Francis and himself at odds and is reconciled with his cousin at a family party, after which Demelza reveals her pregnancy to a far from displeased Ross.
Hide description ▲

An epidemic sweeps through the county and Dwight is grateful to Caroline for providing him with a cart-load of fresh oranges to combat it. Ross meanwhile is thwarted in his efforts to expand the mine, thanks to Warleggan and his proxy, Tankard. To provide finances he strikes a deal with a local smuggler to use his beach to land cargo on, much to Demelza's annoyance. Ross also goes into partnership with Francis, despite Warleggan's attempts to split them up, and they open up the mine gaining access to Wheal Grace. Demelza gives birth to a baby boy, Jeremy, which goes some way towards reconciling Francis with Verity.
Hide description ▲

When a smuggler is caught magistrate Francis cleverly ensures a lenient sentence but Ross suspects one of his miners, Nick Vigus, as an informer. Francis is also loyal to his cousin when they meet Warleggan at a party, where Elizabeth admits that she still has affection for Ross and Caroline jilts Trevaunance before Dwight reveals his feelings for her. Francis discovers copper in the mine but his jubilation is cruelly curtailed whilst Ross once more finds himself at the mercy of Warleggan, who has obtained his promissory note and has a financial hold over him.
Hide description ▲

A cheerless Christmas looms for the Poldarks with Francis drowned in the mine having only found fool's copper and Ross facing debtor's prison if he cannot pay Warleggan. Ross is also anxious to expose the traitor and agrees to a dangerous scheme to trap them whilst Demelza is troubled by his frequent visits to console Elizabeth - though Warleggan is quick to ingratiate himself with the widow. Ray Penvenen accuses Dwight of fortune hunting and tries to ban him from seeing Caroline but she is far too perceptive and realistic to give up the man she loves. She also bails out Ross, whose tenacity she admires, in his hour of need - whilst seeking to remain anonymous.
Hide description ▲

Ross stands trial for smuggling but the case is dismissed when Jud and others provide an alibi and there is more good news when a seam of tin is found in Wheal Grace. Dwight is less fortunate as Caroline returns his letters with a written rejection and he considers becoming a naval surgeon. Elizabeth also has a setback when her mother falls ill and Warleggan is quick to ingratiate himself with an offer of help and marriage, which she accepts out of pragmatism rather than love. Ross, already distraught when a mining accident kills two of his workers, reacts badly and violently to the news, which does not go unnoticed by Demelza.
Hide description ▲

Aware of her husband's infidelity with Elizabeth Demelza does not hold back from expressing her disgust and defiantly attends a house party alone. Here she flirts with the amorous captain McNeil though loyalty to Ross causes her to draw the line at sex with him. Elizabeth's marriage to Warleggan finally goes ahead whilst Ross gets good news on the business front when repayment of a previous loan enables him to maintain the mine and a profitable find is made - one which will hopefully save his marriage.
Hide description ▲

The mine is at last bringing Ross wealth but Demelza, still slow to forgive, goes to stay with new mother Verity. An angry Ross gives the snide Warleggan a beating after his suggestion that Ross is cheating Elizabeth's son out of his inheritance before deciding to reenlist to fight in the Napoleonic wars. Dwight also signs up as a naval surgeon but is reunited with Caroline before he sets sail. Warleggan builds fences around his property, cutting off the public right of way and Demelza is one of the casualties of his hired thugs. Irate locals march on his house, Trenwith, vowing to burn it to the ground, but Ross dissuades them to spare them prosecution before he is reconciled with Demelza.
Hide description ▲

Whilst Ross's fortunes prosper despite the Warleggans' new bank opening Demelza's young brothers Drake and the pious Samuel come to stay following their father's death. Also succumbing to the Grim Reaper is Caroline's uncle Ray, who urges her to make a wealthy union, unaware of her secret marriage to Dwight, aided by the Poldarks. When Francis's son Geoffrey Charles shows some spirit against his hated step-father Warleggan brings in Elizabeth's impoverished cousin Morwenna as the boy's governess. When Elizabeth finally gives birth to a son, Valentine, Aunt Agatha curses him for being born under a black moon. This propels Ross into a bargain with George Warleggan.
Hide description ▲

Whilst anxious to build their own Methodist chapel the Carne brothers work well at the mine though they defy Ross by entering Warleggan's estate where Drake meets and is captivated by Morwenna. Along with Caroline Verity attends Valentine's christening where she unsuccessfully attempts reconciliation between the Warleggans and Ross. Both women are alarmed to hear their husband's ships missing at sea but Verity's spouse Andrew is found alive and well. Despite unexpected support from the Reverend Halse, Ross refuses to put himself forward as magistrate, replacing the late Ray Penvenen, giving Warleggan the victory . Later Ross hears that Dwight has been cast ashore in revolutionary France and, with his friend Tholly Tregirls, sets out to rescue him.
Hide description ▲

Tholly takes Ross to a French port where republican soldiers are executing their prisoners to meet Jacques Clisson, who gives them information about Dwight's incarceration but, threatened with prison himself, Ross returns home without his friend. Banned by Warleggan from using his church the Carne boys find a venue for their Methodist meeting house but are again thwarted by Warleggan through a legal loop-hole and are ultimately saved by Demelza, who allows them use a barn on Ross's land. The Warleggans move to Truro, where even Elizabeth is shocked by the immoral social climbing of her newly appointed magistrate husband and starts to feel isolated but their absence leaves Morwenna, encouraged by Aunt Agatha and Geoffrey Charles, to keep meeting Drake.
Hide description ▲

Guests come to Demelza's child's Christening. Morwenna and Geoffrey Charles are called away for Christmas. George plots to betroth her for political gain, but her heart belongs to Drake. Ross, Demelza, and Caroline find a way to feed the poor. Dwight continues to suffer in French prison.
Hide description ▲

In Truro Warleggan is increasingly frustrated at the failure of his pitiful social climbing and Morwenna's refusal to marry Whitworth whilst Agatha warns the girl that seeing Drake will only bring down Warleggan's wrath on them both and Geoffrey Charles - causing her to reluctantly break Drake's heart. Feeling rejected the youngster joins Tholly, Ross and the ever loyal Zacky Martin and Captain Henshawe to rescue Dwight and Hugh Armitage, a generally successful mission, though one of the party does not return. Whilst Caroline is inevitably overjoyed Elizabeth recognizes that Hugh has connections which could help her odious husband climb the social ladder.
Hide description ▲

Whilst Ross returns home a hero and Morwenna and Drake continue to meet in secret Dwight, severely traumatized by his experiences, frightens Caroline by his indifference to her. Ross brings Hugh Armitage to help Dwight get rid of his demons and is successful. Aware of the spirited Geoffrey Charles' loyalty to the clandestine lovers Warleggan arranges to send him to boarding school but when Geoffrey Charles gives Drake a parting gift Warleggan uses it to accuse Drake of theft. He is eventually released, thanks to testimonies by Ross and others, but there is a heavy price for his acquittal - Morwenna must marry Whitworth.
Hide description ▲

Whitworth's sexual demands on Morwenna are making her life a misery but when she falls pregnant he brings in her sister Rowella to help her, a girl who immediately spots his weakness whilst ,to give the broken Drake a positive in his life, Ross sets him up with his own smithy. At the Enys's public union both Elizabeth and Demelza notice Morwenna's unhappiness but Warleggan is more perturbed when Hugh's uncle Lord Falmouth singles Ross out as a hero and Sir Francis Bassett, declaring him a man of the people, proposes him to become a member of parliament. Ross declines, allowing Warleggan to assume the candidacy, much to the annoyance of Demelza, who becomes closer to the besotted Hugh. Aunt Agatha dies but her final act is to suggest to Warleggan that Ross is the true father of his son Valentine.
Hide description ▲

Agatha's dying words have the desired effect on Warleggan, who gets no comfort from Dwight and vents his anger by dismissing more mine workers, whom the kindly Ross employs. Warleggan does succeed in becoming a member of parliament, his zeal freezing out his wife, who meets with Ross to advise on the parentage of Valentine. Dwight has his suspicions about Whitworth's sexual abuse of Morwenna, but Rowella is more than happy to take her sister's place in the parson's bed. Demelza, aware that Hugh is smitten by him and feeling neglected by Ross, begins to succumb to the handsome naval officer whilst Lord Falmouth summons Ross as his champion.
Hide description ▲

When French ships are seen off the coast Sir Francis appoints Ross to lead the volunteers ready to repel any invasion, to the annoyance of Warleggan, further angered when Sir Francis criticizes the use of his parliamentary status for his own ends. He vents his rage on Drake, destroying his forge and having him brutally assaulted. Whilst Demelza, disappointed by Ross's apparent failure to avenge her brother, spends more time with Hugh, Ross quells a rebellion against Warleggan by agreeing to stand for parliament himself. Rowella, meanwhile, finds herself pregnant by Whitworth and blackmails him into paying her to marry a young local, Arthur Selway, giving Morwenna the strength to rebel against him. Elizabeth also revolts against her cruel husband, who begins to lose his cocky self-assurance whilst Demelza and Ross also go to bed with doubts on either side.
Hide description ▲

Times are hard for the locals as grain is being sold to the highest bidders abroad. Riots break out with the Carne boys, innocent bystanders, among those arrested and magistrate Warleggan delights in sentencing them to hang. Ross, however, is instrumental in saving them, impressing Sir Francis Basset, who proposes him to stand in the forthcoming election against Warleggan and Demelza's besotted admirer Hugh Armitage. Thus Demelza, breaking off her affair with Armitage, and Ross are reunited and Caroline has good news for Dwight though Morwenna still continues to suffer her egregious husband's sexual demands whilst Drake looks on helplessly.
Hide description ▲

With Hugh's rapidly failing health eliminating him from standing in the election, his uncle Lord Falmouth, thanks to Caroline and Demelza, joins with Sir Francis in agreeing that Ross should oppose Warleggan as the prospective member of parliament for the district. The result is a triumph for justice but Demelza must make an admission to Ross and, for her brothers, the path of true love continues to run anything but smoothly for them.
Hide description ▲

Ross is now member of parliament for Truro and making compassionate speeches opposing slavery and the use of child workers. Inevitably Warleggan, smarting from his defeat, links up with the disreputable Monk Adderley for revenge on Ross and a seat of his own whilst Whitworth seeks another way to discredit him. Returning to Cornwall, where Caroline has given birth to a daughter Sarah, Ross is called upon to save an ailing mine and also pays a visit to Elizabeth.
Hide description ▲

Caroline and Dwight suffer a family tragedy, prompting her to take unusual action. Dwight also confounds Whitworth's attempt to commit Morwenna to an asylum, to allow him to continue his affair with her sister Rowella and proves himself a hero when blasting causes heavy flooding at the mine. This last event causes Ross to doubt a return to parliament but is persuaded by Dwight to change his mind. Warleggan also enables his political ambitions to come to crooked fruition.
Hide description ▲

In parliament Ross achieves some success on behalf of his constituents. He also meets Caroline, who has fled her recent tragedy and who introduces him to Monk Adderley. Back in Cornwall there is famine and sickness. However Morwenna and Drake are afforded a second chance when Whitworth's sins catch up with him although Drake, having broken off his wedding to Rosina Hoblyn, comes under suspicion.
Hide description ▲

Warleggan is triumphant to discover that the late Nathaniel Pearce embezzled money from Pascoe's, the bank used by Ross. With Ross in London - impressing prime minister Pitt - Demelza attempts to save the bank but fails and Warleggan takes full advantage to plot further. Drake is dissuaded from leaving the area by Sam but Morwenna still rejects him whilst Caroline returns from London with Ross for the opening of Dwight's new infirmary. Here Ross makes an impassioned speech which leads to the bank being saved. He also has a surprise for Demelza whilst Elizabeth has news of her own.
Hide description ▲

Joining the Enyses and Ross in London Demelza enjoys the city life and accompanies Ross to a charity ball thrown by Warleggan to celebrate his wife's pregnancy. Here she attracts Adderley's predatory attention, leading Ross to challenge him to a duel, the outcome of which makes Warleggan even more anxious to crush Ross. Whilst Demelza, overwhelmed by events, returns to Cornwall Morwenna has a message for Drake and Geoffrey Charles makes an observation.
Hide description ▲

Now suspicious about Valentine's parentage after Geoffrey Charles' observation Warleggan is cold towards Elizabeth and, to force an early delivery to her unborn child to allay further suspicions about Ross's paternity, she takes drastic measures - which do not end well. Drake, however, is overjoyed when Morwenna agrees to marry him whilst Lord Falmouth refuses to accept Ross's resignation from Parliament because of his duel with Monk Adderley.
Hide description ▲

Ross and Demelza's domestic life is interrupted when a plea from Ross's old Army colonel compels him to London. Following Elizabeth's death, George's grief leads the Warleggans into uncharted territory.
Hide description ▲

Hanson's presence in Cornwall raises suspicion and as Demelza wrestles with how best to equip the community to look after itself, Morwenna lends herself to the cause and finds new hope. Geoffrey Charles and Cecily's relationship continues to blossom, but George's sanity continues to deteriorate and Cary struggles under mounting responsibilities. The Enyses look to challenge the county's high society by hosting a ball to introduce the Despards, before disaster strikes and Ross and Ned must spring into action together.
Hide description ▲

Ross and Demelza are caught in the middle as Ralph Hanson tries to ruin Ned Despard and rebellion in Cornwall is stirred.
Hide description ▲

Ross tries to persuade the government to reinstate Ned as governor of Honduras, but Ned voices controversial views. The miners are distrusting of paper money. Morwenna visits John Conan. Demelza and Sam try to raise funds for a school.
Hide description ▲

Ned and Kitty face dire consequences and Ross attempts to help them.Cecily and Geoffrey Charles seek a life together against her father's wishes.
Hide description ▲

Demelza discovers the French are smuggling arms into Cornwall, but Ross is determined to take revenge on Merceron and Hanson for framing Ned and returns to London to confront them.
Hide description ▲

Ross and his friends must launch their most daring plan yet to try to save themselves and the country from enemies both at home and abroad.
Hide description ▲