Poldark

Yet another BBC One drama that is new to our screens. Yet another drama based on a literary classic. Yet another drama to be well received. And yet another occasion that this writer agrees entirely - a deserving hit it has been.

Poldark, a partial revival of the 1975 series of the same name and a modern TV adaptation of Winston Graham's tales, to me initially sounded like an intriguing premise, but as the series went on with breathtaking place yet still with intrinsic power and character, this slow burner eventually became a powerhouse of a drama that delivered week on week.

A clearly Cornish drama, based on Cornish material, the stunning and picturesque backdrop and scenery was a superb supporting character from minute one. You can tell those behind the lens had a penchant for the beautiful landscape that covers Cornwall; and knew how to use it to full advantage. Granted the shots of Cornish sunsets and coastlines did get a tad repetitive, but certainly not in a negative way, and by the end of the series Cornwall had definitely become one of the Poldark family - one that the other cast of characters could clearly enjoy, utilize and thrive in. 

The characters - firstly I suppose we must start with Poldark himself; i.e. Aidan Turner. Fresh from being among a company of dwarves in the Hobbit films, Turner has well and truly established his leading man qualities as Ross Poldark. However I did not find this to be an immediate or terribly apparent phenomenon from the off. No, I feel Turner goes on a developing journey just like his character in this series. Poldark is obviously heroic in several senses of the word, and Turner himself is capable of captivating that heroism with just the right among of magnetism. In the first few episodes however, I found the character of Poldark to be a tad too arrogant, and to self assured in all he did, and so too the actor who played him. In the case of the character - this I am sure was deliberate and in the end it only added depth to this multi-layered persona. In the case of the actor, deliberate or not it was noticeable, and again in the end I think it made his performance that bit more watchable, yet it may have ever so slightly tarred what could have otherwise been a classic heroic figure. On the other hand, perhaps an overall flawed but no less heroic leading man is just what Poldark called for.

Opposite Turner's Poldark is the character of Demelza, played by the deliciously serene Eleanor Tomlinson. Whilst Poldark's journey may be more subtle, Demelza's is quite radical but no less moving. Eleanor Tomlinson carries a unique blend of sass, fire, beauty, vulnerability and innocence that is quite remarkable, and she does this throughout - whatever the script has to throw at Demelza. What's more, the chemistry between the leading two, whilst again perhaps being a slow burner, is still captivating to watch at its fruition. Theirs is not your average build up love story either; there is tension, passion and testing events in equal measure - in my view, broadly speaking a great screen pairing.

There is also quite a little ensemble developing within the Poldark cast aside from the main leads. First and foremost we must mention the now sadly departed legend that was Warren Clarke - whose last role was the gruff, commanding yet endearing Charles Poldark. He was great on screen, and his character's death was made all the more poignant by that of the great man himself. His on screen son Francis is played by relative unknown Kyle Soller. His character and performance is ever so slightly eclipsed by those around him, but the character still resonates with his own journey which is full of emotional depth. Heida Reed plays Elizabeth, Poldark's former love and Francis' wife. Whilst I do think the writer has missed a trick with an obviously powerful love triangle here, the moments of this are good to watch. The character herself shies away slightly as time goes on, thus so does the actress, but her presence is powerful enough to be felt. Jack Farthing (of Blandings fame) is a master as layered and deep 'villain' of the piece George Warleggan. Again his is a case of a great performance masterfully entwined with that of his fellows.

Elsewhere Ruby Bentall is adorabley watchable as Verity, Phil Davis and Beatie Edney give a superb touch of comedy and working class struggle to proceedings, and Luke Norris is a stalwart contemporary to Ross Poldark as Dr. Ennis.

Truly, the characters, cast, pace, dialogue, plot, scenery and score are all just perfectly flawed enough to make Poldark a great series. After a wary start, it often did not feel like an opening gambit in terms of programme making. It has clearly captured the nation, and I for one hope Poldark will deliver on its already dramatic and nail-biting cliff hanger into the eagerly awaited series 2.