Sun sets on Poldark (or does it?)
The period drama is back for a final series. Here, its stars reveal what we can expect
He’s set millions of hearts aflutter as swashbuckling hero Poldark. But when we meet actor Aidan Turner at the launch of the final series, our heart skips a beat for a very different reason.
As he reflects on what’s in store for Ross Poldark this time, Aidan tells us solemnly: “He dies.”
A long, shocked silence ensues, until the cheeky Irish actor throws his head back and starts laughing.
It’s a cruel joke to play on his legion of adoring fans, who will be relieved to hear that Ross is, in fact, alive and well throughout the entire eight-episode series of the BBC drama.
And before he hangs up his famous tricorn hat for good, there are some exciting plotlines in store.
“There’s a lot going on – an influx of exciting new characters, a lot of tension and plenty of action,” reveals the actor, who has starred in the romantic Cornwall-set drama since it started in 2015.
“That is something I believe people have loved about this show, that it does change and there are always new and interesting characters that alter the feel of it.”
The last series saw Cornwall mine-owner Ross spending much of his time in London as he embarked on a career in politics in a bid to better the living conditions of the community.
But following the death of his former childhood sweetheart Elizabeth Warleggan (Heida Reed), he resolves to put Westminster behind him and spend more time with his family in Nam para.
But his plans for a quieter life with wife Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) and their children Jeremy and Clowance are put on hold when a friend reaches out to him for help.
Ross’s old army colonel Ned Despard (Vincent Regan) has been embroiled in a conspiracy and wrongfully imprisoned and Ross is keen to help free him. In doing so, he becomes a government spy and embarks on a treacherous mission that once again takes him away from his family, while also putting them in danger.
Aidan says: “Ned and Ross were soldiers together in Virginia during the American War of Independence and Ned is someone Ross has always looked up to.
“They have a great friendship, a real bond of loyalty, so he feels compelled to get involved.’
The dangerous storyline meant that Aidan enjoyed action-packed scenes, including a sword-fight with real swords.
He adds: “We were using proper steel ones. They offered rubber ones but we wanted to just commit and go for it. If you’re too careful, then it looks careful on screen.”
While being a covert operator was a joy for Aidan, it’s a sticking point for Ross, as cracks start to appear in his already fragile marriage.
After weathering lies, love affairs and family tragedies over the years, will this latest turn of events tear him and Demelza apart? Actress Eleanor thinks it could.
“Ross and Demelza experience problems because Ross becomes a spy and Demelza is excluded from that. He doesn’t tell her what is going on in order to protect her but this drives them apart,” she says.
“There actually comes a moment in