The stars of The Forsytes are on this week's Radio Times

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I was too young in 1967 to watch the BBC’s original TV drama The Forsyte Saga. It was famously the last major series to be made in black and white and, thanks to its stellar cast, it quickly became a landmark in television history.

The latest version has been running for a few weeks on 5 and is proving to be a worthy successor. It’s made by the same creative team that brought us the most recent Poldark revival, so they know a thing or two about putting together a costume drama.

Based on John Galsworthy’s series of novels, the story chronicles the fortunes of an upper-middle-class family from the 1870s into the early 20th century and explores the themes of love, betrayal, social change and the clash between freedom and family duty.

If you haven’t yet caught it, this take on Galsworthy’s world is not to be missed. Read more from the stars of the show inside this week's issue.

Elsewhere, I hope you enjoy our chats with Matt Smith, Kate Garraway and Grace Dent – and find out what happened when our very own Laura Rutkowski took part in Squid Game: the Challenge…

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Cover of Radio Times magazine for 15–21 November 2025 featuring the cast of The Forsytes. Eight actors dressed in elaborate late 19th-century period costumes pose in front of a grand building. From left to right: Joshua Orpin as Soames Forsyte with Millie Gibson as Irene beside him; behind them stand Jack Davenport as James and Francesca Annis with Stephen Moyer as Ann and Jolyon Sr.; on the right are Eleanor Tomlinson as Louisa and, in front, Tuppence Middleton and Danny Griffin as Frances and Jolyon Jr. The headline reads: “DON’T MISS! The Forsytes: The saga continues…” with subtext: “From the makers of Poldark, the best costume drama of the year builds to a gripping finale.

Also in this week's Radio Times:

BAFTA-winning writer Nicôle Lecky's new drama explores the glossy lives and the dark side of female friendship.
Jack Whitehall started out telling jokes, now he's playing a male nanny who's out to ruin his employer's lives.
Shirley Henderson's career in five acts – from playing Alan Cumming's girlfriend to Star Wars.

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