The BBC period drama Poldark, which first aired in 2015, has been hailed by viewers as the "best series ever" and is now available to stream on Netflix alongside BBC iPlayer. Based on the novel series by Winston Graham, the show spans five series and 43 episodes, set in 18th-century Cornwall.
Plot and Cast
The series follows Ross Poldark, a British Army officer returning home after the Revolutionary War to find his family estate in ruins, his sweetheart engaged to his cousin, and his life in disarray. He marries Demelza Carne, a young woman he takes into service, and their story intertwines with characters like Elizabeth Poldark, George Warleggan, and Francis Poldark. Themes of ambition, love, loss, and class struggle are explored throughout.
Starring Aidan Turner (Rivals) as Ross Poldark, the cast includes Eleanor Tomlinson, Luke Norris, Harry Richardson, Gabriella Wilde, Tom York, Jack Farthing, and Heida Reed. The series was created and written by Debbie Horsfield.
Critical and Audience Reception
Poldark holds an 89% score on Rotten Tomatoes and an 8.3/10 rating on IMDb. One IMDb user called it the "best series ever," adding: "I can't say enough about how good this show is… everyone involved deserves accolades from the actors to the producers and writers and costume and set designers. The filmography is spectacular." Another reviewer described it as the "most captivating series ever made," while a third labeled it a "masterpiece." A Google reviewer wrote: "I just finished bingeing Poldark and I laughed and cried my way through. Mostly cried. I haven't been this captivated by a series since the beginning of the pandemic."
Streaming Availability
In addition to its original home on BBC iPlayer, Poldark is now streaming on Netflix, giving new audiences access to the acclaimed period drama.
