Entertainment

PBS’s 6-Part ‘Gilded Age’ Replacement Is So Good, It’s Already Been Renewed for Two More Seasons

Published

10 hours ago

5 April 2026

NewsAdmin

As we wait for the anticipated return of The Gilded Age, a new PBS series is guaranteed to fill the void. The Forsytes first premiered in the UK on Channel 5 to a successful turn-out, with it being renewed for not one, but two more seasons. The second was already filmed before the period drama made its North American debut at the end of last month. With episodes releasing on a weekly basis, this is the ideal time to hit play and catch up on what is one of the juiciest Victorian-era book adaptations out there.

A reimagined prequel to The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy, this dramatization seeks to show what could have happened to the notorious titular family before the events that take place in the source material. With cousins Jolyon (Danny Griffin) and Soames (Joshua Orpin) competing over the leadership post of their family business, their professional ambitions are put to the test when love gets in the way. As Jolyon reconnects with an old flame and Soames falls for a ballerina with a drastically different upbringing from his, the question that remains is, does true love withstand social status?

‘The Forsytes’ Is All About Duty and Desire

The theme of duty and desire is a prevalent one in The Forsytes, with the cousins being a foil to each other. Jolyon is an artist at heart, finding fulfillment in painting a scenic view onto a canvas. During his youth, he did some traveling of his own, meeting his first love, Louisa Byrne (Eleanor Tomlinson), during his stint in Vienna. But when duty called, he had to set his passion aside, get married to a suitable match (Frances, played by Tuppence Middleton), and prepare to one day follow in his father’s footsteps. That is easier said than done. When he and Louisa cross paths years later, his old feelings come back into full swing, leaving him uncertain of whether he truly wants to take on his family’s brokerage. Soames, on the other hand, has a wealth-oriented mindset. He believes that all the great things in life need to be acquired until he meets Irene (Millie Gibson), a free-spirited ballerina who is grieving the loss of her father. Irene is passionate about dance and has plans to move to Paris to pursue her professional career there. Although he isn’t fazed by her aspirations, their relationship takes a turn when Soames’ true colors start to show.

The Forsytes is different from other adaptations of Galsworthy’s books because it allows for some of the supporting characters to have more screen time. The women in this particular version are more three-dimensional, with Frances and Irene getting just as much development as the men in their lives. During an era where women were struggling to have roles beyond being their spouses’ support system, this necessary book change brought on by series creator Debbie Horsfield (known for her work in Poldark) gives the period drama further depth. Frances knows how to behave and approach British high society as expected of a Forsyte, sometimes having to remind Jolyon of his part in maintaining the family name. Being his second hand and ensuring a fitting marriage for her daughter, June (Justine Moore), are Frances’ priorities, so having her efforts be threatened by Louisa’s resurgence affects her head on.

As for Irene, her life slowly converges to that of a caged bird, with her urge for artistic expression and free will getting hindered by joining the Forsyte family. In the same way that Jolyon had to approach painting as a hobby, Irene’s days as a ballet dancer are essential behind her. With these two women living in a men’s world, they undergo several challenges, but never lose sight of who they are.

‘The Forsytes’ Is a Worthwhile Period Drama

What makes The Forsytes a worthwhile watch is that it embraces the drama. From love triangles to family secrets, a lot happens behind closed doors. The rivalry between Soames and Jolyon mirrors the animosity between their fathers, two brothers who once fell for the same woman and were never able to make amends. Given their affluent reputation, the family has a certain image to uphold, keeping the messy parts of their lives to themselves (and to the viewers, of course). It’s interesting to see how the love between Irene and Soames is idealized at first, only to have their relationship put to the test after they utter their vows. Everything seems perfect during their honeymoon phase, but when the Forsyte name gets in the way, the family’s social standing becomes a burden as opposed to a blessing.

If you are looking for a new period drama to tune into after Bridgerton Season 4 and before The Gilded Age comes back, The Forsytes features romance, intrigue, and lots of family drama to indulge in. It is a retelling of a British classic that expands on the universe many may have previously been introduced to through the Damien Lewis-led ITV series or the 1967 BBC adaptation. Despite it being set in the 1880s, the PBS series will surely captivate modern audiences and likely spark interest in revisiting Galsworthy’s acclaimed novels.