On the box

Poldark star Ellise Chappell reveals how life gets a lot worse for unhappy Morwenna…

‘She is in complete desperation’

The unhappiest person in the Poldark- era Cornwall must be poor Morwenna Whitworth. The young vicar’s wife is stuck in a marriage to the grotesque sexual predator Reverend Ossie Whitworth (Christian Brassington), with seemingly no way out. She desperately wants to be with her true love, Drake Carne (Harry Richardson), but can’t see how that can ever happen.

‘Morwenna is in complete desperation,‘ explains Ellise Chappell who plays her. ‘As a married woman, however, she knows there’s no way to get away from Ossie. The light for her is the notion that Drake still thinks of her and that keeps her going. So there’s always room for hope.’ In this week’s episode, however, things hit rock bottom for Morwenna. Ossie has been spotted visiting Morwenna’s sister Rowella by her husband Arthur, who grows suspicious. Ossie then plans to have Morwenna committed to an asylum to get rid of her legally. Will she end up trapped in an institution?

‘Morwenna’s journey is an amazing story arc,’ says Ellise. ‘I’ve learned that I can push myself further as an actress than I thought I could. There have been times when I have found it really demanding but I am so fond of Morwenna. It definitely helps when you love your character. It makes her story more satisfying.’ ● Poldark is on Sundays, BBC1, 9pm