ITV Studios secures first international sales for period drama "The Forsytes"

ITV Studios has announced the first wave of global sales for its new period drama "The Forsytes" (6 x 60), a bold reimagining of "The Forsyte Saga" produced by Mammoth Screen and originally commissioned by Masterpiece on PBS for U.S. audiences. The series is scheduled to premiere in the U.S. in 2026, but has already generated strong buzz in the UK where it is airing on Channel 5.

Tom Clark, EVP Global Sales & Commercial Strategy, Global Partnerships at ITV Studios, commented: “We are thrilled to bring this bold, new reimagining of the celebrated Forsyte Saga novels to international audiences. From the brilliant creative team behind ‘Poldark,’ ‘The Forsytes’ is already generating significant buzz with UK audiences and is proving to be another global hit.”

International buyers have taken note. "The Forsytes" has been sold to ABC in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand, Virgin Media Ireland, Movistar Plus+ for Spain and Andorra, SVT in Sweden, YLE in Finland, DR in Denmark, NRK in Norway, Tet in Latvia, HRT in Croatia, and HOT and YesTV in Israel. Additionally, Viasat World has secured panregional rights for its Epic Drama channel across 22 Central and Eastern European countries and the Baltics. Virgin Atlantic has also picked up the series for inflight entertainment.

Critical response in the UK has been enthusiastic. The Daily Mail declared, "The Forsytes is brilliant" and called the series “like a posh hotel this is full-on five star.” TV Times gave it a five-star review, praising it as “perfect autumn fare,” while Heat rated it four stars and said it “will appeal to fans of the social climbing, scandals and love affairs of ‘The Gilded Age’.” Radio Times added, “this one is sumptuous to look at – both the styling and starry cast are glorious.”

The series features a stellar ensemble cast including Francesca Annis, Jack Davenport, Tuppence Middleton, Stephen Moyer, and Eleanor Tomlinson. Inspired by the Nobel Prize-winning novels by John Galsworthy, the show chronicles the lives of the wealthy upper-class Forsyte family in 1880s London. The story explores themes of duty, reputation, love, and personal freedom, with emotionally charged narratives of infatuation, divided loyalties, and societal expectation.

Season two of "The Forsytes" has already been commissioned while season one was still in production, signaling ITV Studios’ confidence in the show as a returning global franchise.

The series is produced by Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, and Masterpiece. It is directed by Meenu Gaur, Annetta Laufer, and Andy Newbery. In addition to its lead cast, "The Forsytes" also features Tom Durant Pritchard, Jamie Flatters, Naomi Frederick, Don Gallagher, Millie Gibson, Danny Griffin, Susan Hampshire, Owen Igiehon, Eleanor Jackson, Justine Moore, Joshua Orpin, and Josette Simon.

With its lavish production, contemporary themes, and broad market appeal, "The Forsytes" is positioned to be ITV Studios’ next major global period drama success.