6 TV TIMES
A
n assassination
attempt on the
king, a fire at
Nampara and
an alarming new
nemesis for Ross Poldark are all
packed into the first episode of the
fifth – and final (sob!) – series of
BBC1’s hit Cornish costume saga
Poldark, which begins this week.
The story picks up in 1800, just
months after Elizabeth Warleggan’s
tragic death. But Ross and wife
Demelza (Aidan Turner and
Eleanor Tomlinson) barely have time
to raise a glass to the new century
when Ross is called to London ona daredevil mission to free his old
Army friend, Ned Despard (Vincent
Regan), from prison.
Of course, Ross can’t resist a
chance to right a wrong, especially
if it means ruffling the feathers of
the establishment. But his epic
undertaking puts him in real danger.
TV Times met up with the ever-
charming Aidan, 36, to chat about
what lies ahead for our hero and why
this is his favourite series to date...How has Ross’ life moved on
since last series?
It’s moved on a considerable
amount. He’s grown up a lot and
has a better sense of responsibility.
He’s still impulsive and he has a
natural attraction to menace, but
I think all round he’s a better person.
He’s certainly kinder to Demelza!Their relationship has certainly
been a roller-coaster! How are
things between them now?
We see them in a place of peace, but
for how long it lasts I don’t know!
Ross spends a lot of time in London
and Demelza is once again at the
helm in Cornwall, so they spend
a lot of time apart. It’s when Ross
tries to carry the weight of the
world by himself that things tend
to go awry between them because
he’s quite secretive, but their
dialogue is healthier now.This series has lots of exciting new
characters. What’s that been like?
It’s always great to have new blood
in, and it works well with the story.
It’s an exciting series, more so than
any other, I think. But because it
was the last, there were poignantmoments, too – the last time I got
up on a horse, the last time I put on
the tricorn hat – although it does
feel nice not to have to get up at
5am every morning!Tell us about Ross’ friendship
with Ned Despard, who Ross goes
to great lengths to free from jail...
Ned’s someone Ross met on the
battlefield during the American
War of Independence. Ned
saved Ross’ life and Ross
has very much used Ned’s
character as a template
for his own life. He’s
a real man of the
people with a
sense of social
justice. We had
a really great
relationship on
set. He’s good with
a sword as well!We hear Ross gets
caught up in a lot
of sword fighting
this time...
We did a lot of it this
series and it was fun.
We’ve had pistols, but
we’ve never actually
seen Ross sword-fight
before. I’m pretty
useful with a sword
now I think, although I
picked up a few bruises!During filming, were
you conscious of this
being the last series?
It’s weird, when you try
to make it memorable,
it’s not that useful
because there’s still a job
to do. Right now it’s just
nice to have completed it!
Hannah DaviesPHOTOS: BBC
Back in the
wild West
Aidan Turner on the new stories set to rock Ross and
Demelza’s world in the fifth and final series of Poldark
POLDARK IS PREVIEWED
ON PAGES 40-NEW DRAMA
Poldark
SUNDAY / BBC1 / 9PM
COVER STORY
COMING UP IN CORNWALL...
The cast reveal what series five will bring for their charactersCAROLINE &
DWIGHT ENYS
Gabriella Wilde and
Luke Norris‘Their relationship is fragile
from what they’ve been
through and there are
still a lot of wounds
that aren’t healed,’
says Gabriella.DRAKE &
MORWENNA CARNE
Harry Richardson and
Ellise Chappell
‘It’s not an easy journey for
them,’ says Ellise. ‘They love
each other and they’ve
gone through so much,
but it’s not that simple.
Morwenna must process
what’s happened to her.’GEORGE
WARLEGGAN
Jack Farthing‘George is dealing with
his wife Elizabeth’s
death,’ says Jack. ‘He
can’t compartmentalise
it and it comes back
and hits him hard. He
goes to some very
dark places...’DEMELZA & ROSS POLDARK (main picture)
Eleanor Tomlinson and Aidan Turner
‘We see lots of turmoil again because it’s Ross
and Demelza – what else would you expect?’
laughs Eleanor. ‘They still have blazing rows,
but we also see them realising the importance
of honesty and teamwork.’