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‘Poldark’ Boss on Ross & Demelza’s Love Story: ‘It Wasn’t Just a Starry-Eyed Romance’
Poldark, based on the Winston Graham novels, dazzled PBS Masterpiece viewers when the series premiered on June 21, 2015. As soon as the dashing Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) stepped onto the screen, we were captivated.
The series followed Ross, a British Army veteran, who returns home to Cornwall after fighting in the American Revolutionary War. He soon finds his former life gone, with his father dead and the woman he loves engaged to his cousin. And then he meets Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson). Over the course of five seasons, Ross and Demelza’s romance ebbs and flows, culminating in a grand love story. The show’s creator and executive producer, Debbie Horsfield, spoke about the power of the show’s central relationship.
“It weathers all kinds of storms and sometimes it teeters on the verge of fracturing, but ultimately, these are two people who stay not just committed to each other, but who still love each other throughout everything,” she told TV Insider. “I loved the realism of that. It wasn’t just a starry-eyed romance.”
Ross and Demelza certainly weathered their fair share of complications, including the tragic loss of their child, Ross cheating on Demelza with Elizabeth (Heida Reed), and Demelza’s affair with Hugh Armitage (Josh Whitehouse). In the end, their love prevailed.
Tomlinson actually originally auditioned for the role of Elizabeth, but the Poldark team knew she’d be perfect for Demelza. “To grow up on a show and hone your craft in that way is such a rare experience,” she said. “I was so lucky to have had that opportunity.”
Turner, now starring in the Hulu hit Rivals, was the first person cast in Poldark. Horsfield knew she wanted the actor from the jump. “He was the only person we thought of for that role. It’s never normally that easy,” she revealed.
Poldark, Seasons 1-5, Streaming, Prime Video and PBS Passport
