Poldark is a television drama based on Winston Graham's novels of the same title. It was first transmitted on BBC Two across two seasons between 1975 and 1977. The adaptation covered all seven novels (of the eventual twelve) published up to the time. In late 18th-century Cornwall, Ross Poldark loses his fiancée, well-bred beauty Elizabeth, to his cousin Francis. He ends up marrying his servant, Demelza Carne, but his passion for Elizabeth simmers on for years. Meanwhile, he strives to make his derelict copper mines a success. Life is hard, smuggling is rife, and Ross finds himself taking the side of the underclass against the ruthless behaviour of his enemies, the greedy Warleggan clan.
Poldark (Season 1)
Episode 1 (Episode 1) 5.0
Writer: Jack Pulman
Air date: 1975-10-05
Runtime: 51 min
Overview: In 1783, Ross Poldark returns from the American wars to his native Cornwall to find his home in shambles and his betrothed Elizabeth engaged to another.
Episode 2 (Episode 2) 5.0
Writer: Jack Pulman
Air date: 1975-10-12
Runtime: 50 min
Overview: Ross determines to put Nampara back on track and get his mine Wheal Leisure running again. Ross decides to take young Demelza Carne into his house as a servant.
Episode 3 (Episode 3) 5.0
Writer: Jack Pulman
Air date: 1975-10-19
Runtime: 51 min
Overview: Demelza has taken over running Nampara; Elizabeth and Francis now married have had a child; Ross has to defend Jim Carter in court but to no avail as he is sent to prison.
Episode 4 (Episode 4) 5.0
Writer: Jack Pulman
Air date: 1975-10-26
Runtime: 52 min
Overview: After another infidelity from Francis, Elizabeth decides to leave Francis for Ross after his father's death — but Demelza's pregnancy complicates everything.
Episode 5 (Episode 5) 5.0
Writer: Paul Wheeler
Air date: 1975-11-02
Runtime: 52 min
Overview: Ross and Demelza, now married, celebrate the birth of their daughter, Julia. A travelling troupe of performers stages a play at Nampara, and Mark Daniel falls for a young actress named Keren.
Episode 6 (Episode 6) 5.0
Writer: Paul Wheeler
Air date: 1975-11-09
Runtime: 52 min
Overview: When Jim Carter becomes seriously ill in prison, Ross worries that he'll die before completing his sentence.
Episode 7 (Episode 7) 5.0
Writer: Paul Wheeler
Air date: 1975-11-16
Runtime: 51 min
Overview: Young Geoffrey Charles is stricken with a serious illness; when Francis also falls ill, Demelza assists Elizabeth in caring for him.
Episode 8 (Episode 8) 5.0
Writer: Paul Wheeler
Air date: 1975-11-23
Runtime: 52 min
Overview: Mark Daniel learns of Keren's affair with Dwight Enys; Ross helps Mark avoid capture by the authorities.
Episode 9 (Episode 9) 5.0
Writer: Peter Draper
Air date: 1975-11-30
Runtime: 52 min
Overview: After Ross is released on bail on charges of looting a wrecked ship, the Warleggans stubborn witnesses in order to have him legally executed.
Episode 10 (Episode 10) 5.0
Writer: Peter Draper
Air date: 1975-12-07
Runtime: 52 min
Overview: Francis' botched suicide attempt leaves him in deep melancholia as the Warleggans' parade of suborned witnesses darkens Ross' prospects for acquittal.
Episode 11 (Episode 11) 5.0
Writer: Paul Wheeler
Air date: 1975-12-14
Runtime: 51 min
Overview: Ross rehires Jud, reestablishes his friendship with Francis, and becomes involved with smugglers in the hope of raising money to exploit a new vein.
Episode 12 (Episode 12) 5.0
Writer: Peter Draper
Air date: 1975-12-21
Runtime: 49 min
Overview: Warleggan's minions beat Jud to death in revenge for his changing his testimony. Francis and Ross plan to open Wheal Grace using Warleggan money.
Episode 13 (Episode 13) 5.0
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1975-12-28
Runtime: 52 min
Overview: After the birth of Ross and Demelza's son, Francis accidentally drowns in Wheal Grace after supposedly discovering a new vein of precious copper.
Episode 14 (Episode 14) 5.0
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1976-01-04
Runtime: 51 min
Overview: Ross tries to locate Mark Daniel in hopes that he will remember the location of the copper vein he found while hiding in Wheal Grace.
Episode 15 (Episode 15) 5.0
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1976-01-11
Runtime: 52 min
Overview: Ross's hopes for a new vein of copper are shattered, and his distress amplifies when he finds out Elizabith is to wed Warleggan, resulting in the break of their vows.
Episode 16 (Episode 16) 5.0
Writer: Jack Russell
Air date: 1976-01-18
Runtime: 51 min
Overview: Warleggan evicts hundreds of tenant families in his efforts to exert power, and Ross discovers a valuable vein of tin in his depleted copper mine, Wheal Grace.
Seasons
Episodes 16
Episodes 13