Cressida’s ‘sister’, the Poldark minx
THE best friend of Prince Harry’s ex, Cressida Bonas, is to star in the new Poldark series as a ‘minx’ who leaves broken hearts in her wake.
And this picture, right, is the first snap of 27-year-old Gabriella Wilde in her key role in the hit BBC1 drama.
The former model, who was like a sister to Cressida in their youth, has been cast as Caroline Penvenen, who enchants two of the main characters.
And in a curious coincidence, one of them, would-be MP Unwin Trevaunance, is played by Hugh Skinner – who starred as Prince William in Channel 4 satire The Windsors. The other is Captain Poldark’s best friend, Dwight Enys, played by Luke Norris.
A source said: ‘Caroline is the biggest new character in series two and she has a very strong romantic storyline.
‘Caroline is a beautiful heiress but also a minx. She’s very spirited, and she delights in tormenting people. It’s never going to work with Unwin as he is something of an ass.’
It is a career breakthrough for Gabriella, the daughter of property magnate John Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe.
She shares half-sisters with Cressida from her father’s first marriage to Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon and has said: ‘Although we’re not officially stepsisters, Cressida was my best friend when we were growing up together, so she kind of is…’
Poldark returns to BBC1 on Sunday, September 4, at 9pm.