'Masterpiece' BBC period drama based on book that fans say is 'best series ever'

This period drama that was initially based on a book has fans hooked, describing it as the "best series ever". Poldark is a British historical drama that is made up of five series, totalling 43 episodes, and it is also available to watch on Netflix.

The BBC series was created and written by Debbie Horsfield and was based on Winston Graham's novel series of the same name. Rivals star Aidan Turner plays the lead in this period drama alongside Eleanor Tomlinson, Luke Norris, Harry Richardson, Gabriella Wilde, Tom York, Jack Farthing and Heida Reed.

The series synopsis reads: "Poldark follows the life of Ross Poldark, a British Army officer, as he navigates the challenges and romances of post-Revolutionary War Cornwall. Returning home, he finds his family's estate in ruins, his sweetheart engaged to his cousin, and himself struggling to rebuild his fortunes and his life. He eventually marries Demelza Carne, a young woman he takes into his service, and their story unfolds alongside those of other key characters like Elizabeth Poldark, George Warleggan, and Francis Poldark."

Poldark is set in 18th-century Cornwall and explores themes of ambition, love, loss, and the struggles of the landed gentry and common people.

Rotten Tomatoes critics rate the series highly, awarding it with an 89% score, and IMDb rates it similarly at 8.3/10.

An IMDb user labelled the show as the "best series ever," adding: " I can't say enough about how good this show is and everyone involved deserves accolades from the actors to the producers and writers and costume and set designers. The filmography is spectacular."

One reviewer described the period drama as the most "captivating series ever made," with another labelling it a "masterpiece".

Another added: "Poldark is the most spectacular historical series of my time."

"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 and I have binged a lot. The main characters are so detailed and the storyline sucks you in episode after episode," added a Google reviewer.

Poldark is now available on the Netflix streaming platform.