Who is in the cast of The Forsytes as new adaptation of beloved novel airs?

The Forsyte Saga novels are getting a brand-new adaptation on Channel 5 and a star-studded cast list to go with it. The Forsytes, penned by Poldark screenwriter Debbie Horsfield, is the new period drama from the broadcaster.

The Forsyte Saga was previously adapted as a Hollywood film in 1949 and for television in 1967 and 2002. Horsfield said the new series will "explore the hinterland of the female characters," and give them equal space to the men.

Those starring in The Forsytes include Poldark's Eleanor Tomlinson in the role of Louisa Byrne, Coronation Street's Millie Gibson as Irene Heron and Flesh and Blood star Francesca Annis as Ann Forsyte. Fans of the novels and previous adaptations will also recognise Susan Hampshire as Lady Carteret who played Fleur in the BBC's 1967 show The Forsyte Saga.

The new series also features actors from The Crown, Downton Abbey, The Gentlemen, True Blood and The Morning Show. Here's the cast life in full for Channel 5's The Forsytes.

Eleanor plays dressmaker Louisa Byrne. Speaking of her character, Eleanor said: "Debbie Horsfield's adaptation is different to the book because Debbie wanted to flesh out the earlier years of the characters. My character doesn't appear in the book, but she holds the biggest secret of all."

Viewers will recognise Eleanor from her role in Poldark as Demelza Poldark between 2015 and 2019. She has also stared in The Outlaws, The White Queen, Jack the Giant Slayer and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging.

Joshua plays Soames and said of his character: "I would describe Soames as a man of intensity. He does things properly, and he does them well. He values efficiency. He values competence. He has ambition for himself, and he has a certain respect for the systems that are in place and the hierarchy of the society that he's born into. But when push comes to shove, he has a fierce passion and independence that creeps up to the surface and influences his decisions. He will break away from established convention in favour of what he wants."

The Australian actor is known for his role as Conner Kent in the DC Universe series Titans and Rory Templeton in the Seven Network soap opera Home and Away. Viewers might also recognise him from Love Me, Preacher and I Know What You Did Last Summer.

Speaking of her character, Millie said: "Irene is very much described as ethereal in the script. She is a ballerina, so she's been brought up in this bohemian way by her parents. She has lived in Paris and is very glass half full. She speaks fluent French and there's a certain level of youthfulness and fire in her that Soames sees which he has never seen before in any other women in his society."

Viewers will recognise Millie from her role as Ruby Sunday in the much-loved Doctor Who series. She also starred as Kelly Neelan on Coronation Street between 2019 and 2022.

Danny plays Jolyon who is desrcibed as "an artist and a bit of a dreamer". Speking about his character, Danny said: "He spends a lot of his time in his head and likes to be in his own world.

"He is set to take over the running of the family business which isn't something he wants to do. He wants to follow his heart. His great passion is drawing and painting. It's a big battle for him with his family who are trying to push him towards his worst nightmare which is a life as a stockbroker. Essentially, he is a good man who wrestles with his duty and destiny."

Danny is Sky in the Netflix drama Fate: The Winx Saga and also played Aslan in The Gentleman. Other television series have included Get Even and So Awkward.

Tuppence plays "strong, independent and secure," Frances. She said: "She knows who she is, she likes to take charge. Frances came from money and was brought into the Forsyte family to both elevate their status and their standing.

"I think she's pretty satisfied with her life at the point in which we meet her. It's only then that things start to spiral out of her control, and she's a woman who's not used to being out of control. She keeps the family together in a way and is very loyal to what she was brought into this family to do."

Most period drama fans will recognise Tuppence Middleton from Downton Abbey, where she played Lucy Branson. She also starred as Riley Blue in Sense8 and Edith in Färjan. She has also starred in His Dark Materials, Our House and Shadowplay.

On his character James, Jack said: "James is a man filled with resentment and bitterness at the role that life has conferred upon him. He is the second born son, the spare, and he hates that. He feels that he is better at the job than his brother, he feels that his own son Soames is far more suited to taking the company on than Jolyon Jr is. His entire reason for being is to try and subvert these preordained roles that life has given him. It has made him a man who is Machiavellian, manipulative, resentful, bitter, and hilarious."

Jack is known for his role as Norrington in the Pirates of the Carribean movies and more recently on The Morning Show as Jason Craig. He has also starred in The Assassion, Dr.Death and Ten Percent.

Other film credits include The Talented Mr. Ripley and Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Francesca plays Ann, the very wise matriarch of the Forsyte family. Francesca said of her character: "She originally came from quite a humble background, her money came from industry, blacksmiths, dirty jobs. Her family made a lot of money, and she married into the Forsytes when they were near liquidation and saved their fortunes. She's a very wise person and brings all her experience to this situation and she's determined to hold the family together."

Francesca is a six-time Bafta award nominee, while she won the 1979 Bafta television award for Best Actress for the ITV series Lillie.She is known for her roles in Reckless, Wives and Daughters, Deceit, and Cranford More recently Francesca has starred in Showtrial and as Vivien in Flesh and Blood in 2020.

Stephen said of his character: "Jolyon Snr, in many respects is not unlike young Jolyon, in that there was an expectation of him to act in a certain way. He was made to give up all of his teenage dreams, he has a great passion for music which is a nod to those teenage dreams long gone."

Stephen is best known for portraying the vampire Bill Compton in the HBO television series True Blood. Other popular television series you might have spotted him in include The Gifted, Safe House and Shots Fired. More recently he has starred in Art Detectives, Elsbeth and Sexy Beast.

The Forsytes also stars Justine Moore (Call the Midwife, Without Sin) as June Forsyte, Jamie Flatters (Avatar: The Way of Water, The School for Good and Evil) as Philip Bosinney, Tom Durant-Pritchard (The Crown, Miss Scarlett) as Monty Dartie,Naomi Frederick (Belgravia, The Aftermath) as Emily Forsyte and Owen Igiehon (Disclaimer) as Issac Cole.

As well as Josette Simon (Crossfirem Anatomy of a Scandal) as Ellen Parker Barrington, Susan Hampshire (The Forsyte Saga) as Lady Carteret, Eleanor Jackson as Winifred Dartie and Sharon Rose as Alicia Cole.