'Outlander' Star Joins 'The Forsytes' as Season 2 Filming Begins

Masterpiece has confirmed that its forthcoming period drama The Forsytes will be sticking around for a while. Though this new adaptation of John Galsworthy's Nobel Prize-winning book series The Forsyte Saga has yet to premiere on either side of the pond — and won't for a few more months — the splashy period drama has already been renewed for a second season, and production is already underway. While welcome, this news isn't entirely surprising, given that even the scant Season 1 marketing materials released thus far have not exactly been subtle about the hopes that this show would run for a long while. But it's still nice to know that it's safe to get attached to the series and its characters. 

Now renamed The Forsytes, (presumably to help set it apart from the original 1967 series and the 2002 remake, both still considered genre-defining examples of what a period drama is meant to be and do), the story will once again follow the messy lives of a wealthy family in 1880s London as they wrestle with often conflicting motivations of duty and desire. 

Season 2 is currently filming and has added a handful of new faces to its sprawling ensemble cast. The most recognizable is former Outlander star Richard Rankin, who has played fan favorite character Roger Mackenzie since the popular historical romance's second season. He'll be joined by Sarah Alexander (Art Detectives) and Nia Ashi (Bob Marley: One Love), though the roles the three newcomers will be playing are still under wraps.

Here's the (very basic) logline for Season 2. 

In this next chapter, the proud dynasty faces a new era of scandal, ambition, and shifting loyalties. As love, legacy and reputation collide, the cracks in the family’s polished façade grow ever deeper.

The Forsytes is written by Debbie Horsfield, who brought PBS's 2015 Poldark adaptation to the small screen. Billed as a "reimagining" of the original, it aims to expand and update the series' larger world by incorporating prequel-ish elements that take place before the events of the first book.

The series stars Francesca Annis (Flesh & Blood) as the Forsyte matriarch, Ann; Stephen Moyer (Sexy Beast) as her eldest son, Jolyon Senior; and Jack Davenport (Ten Percent) as the competitive younger son, James. Danny Griffin (The Gentlemen) plays Jolyon Sr.’s bohemian son Jo, Tuppence Middleton (Our House) is Jo’s status-driven wife, Frances; Eleanor Tomlinson (The Outlaws) plays Louisa Byrne, a Soho dressmaker and Jo’s first love; and Tom Durant Pritchard (Miss Scarlet) plays Monty Dartie, James’ son-in-law. 

Other notable members of the series’ sprawling ensemble cast include Josette Simon (Broadchurch), Jamie Flatters (Liar), Owen Igiehon (Disclaimer), and original The Forsyte Saga star Susan Hampshire OBE, who plays Lady Carteret in this version.

“We’re so pleased with the first season of The Forsytes that we’re thrilled to continue the story into season 2 with our stellar cast," Susanne Simpson, Head of Scripted Content & Executive Producer for Masterpiece, said in a statement. We’re confident that our Masterpiece audience will quickly come to love the intrigue, romance, and drama that this series brilliantly brings to the screen.”

Meenu Gaur (Murder Is Easy) and Annetta Laufer (Get Millie Black) are splitting directing duties, with Sarah Lewis (The Long Shadow) producing. Executive producers include Horsfield and Gaur, along with Sheena Bucktowonsing, Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, and Simpson for Masterpiece.  

The Forsytes Season 1 will debut on Masterpiece in 2026, following a U.K. premiere on 5 later this year. Season 2 is currently filming in and around Bristol, and is expected to air on Masterpiece on PBS in the U.S. and on 5 in the U.K. as part of the 2026/2027 television season.