Cast of The Forsytes (2025) Complete Character Guide

There’s something about a sprawling family saga that pulls you in, and the 2025 PBS Masterpiece adaptation The Forsytes is no exception. With a cast that spans generations, the series reopens the world of John Galsworthy’s novels for a new audience.

TV series premiere year: 2025 · Number of seasons aired: 1 · Lead cast members: 10 · Original author: John Galsworthy · Network: PBS Masterpiece · Episodes in season 1: 6

Six key facts about the series, one pattern: the new adaptation focuses on the earlier generation of Forsytes, setting it apart from the 2002 miniseries.

The implication: viewers coming from the 2002 series will find a different entry point into the Forsyte world.

Is The Forsytes a remake of The Forsyte Saga?

Key differences between the new series and the original saga

• The new series is a fresh adaptation, not a direct remake, covering earlier Forsyte family history than the 2002 miniseries (Wikipedia adaptation notes).
• John Galsworthy’s novels provide the source material, but the 2025 adaptation centers on the older generation of Forsytes, including Ann Forsyte (Francesca Annis) and James Forsyte (Jack Davenport) (PBS Masterpiece).

Timeline of Forsyte adaptations

• 1906: Galsworthy publishes The Man of Property (Wikipedia).
• 2002: Granada Television’s The Forsyte Saga stars Damian Lewis as Soames.
• 2025: PBS Masterpiece premieres The Forsytes.

The pattern: each adaptation reframes the Forsyte family for its era, but the 2025 version is the first to dig into the pre-Soames generation.

Who is Louisa Byrne in Forsyte?

Louisa Byrne character background

• Louisa Byrne is a working-class woman who marries into the Forsyte family (PBS Masterpiece).
• Her storyline in season 1 introduces class tension into the closed Forsyte circle.

Who plays Louisa Byrne in The Forsytes

• Eleanor Tomlinson portrays Louisa Byrne in the 2025 series (PBS Masterpiece).
• Tomlinson is known for roles in Poldark and The White Queen.

Who does Irene Forsyte end up with?

Irene’s romantic arc in The Forsytes

• Irene marries Soames Forsyte but is deeply unhappy in the marriage (Willow and Thatch interview).
• According to showrunner Debbie Horsfield, Irene has dreams of her own and does not fit the role expected by the Forsyte family (Willow and Thatch).

Did Irene love Soames Forsyte?

• Soames falls in love at first sight with Irene, but she does not reciprocate his feelings (Frock Flicks episode 1 review).
• Their courtship is described as a whirlwind, but Irene remains a free spirit (Willow and Thatch).

Jolyon Forsyte and Irene relationship

• Irene falls in love with Young Jolyon Forsyte (Danny Griffin) and eventually leaves Soames to be with him (Wikipedia).
• This mirrors the storyline from the original novels and the 2002 adaptation.

Is there a season 2 of The Forsytes?

When will season 2 of The Forsytes air?

• Season 2 has been confirmed by PBS Masterpiece (Wikipedia).
• Expected release is 2026, though no exact date has been announced.

Cast of The Forsytes season 2

• Key cast members including Millie Gibson, Joshua Orpin, and Eleanor Tomlinson are expected to return (Wikipedia).
• New characters may be introduced as the family story continues.

What happens to Louisa in season 2?

• Details about Louisa’s fate remain unclear; her character’s survival after season 1 has not been confirmed.

What happens to Jolyon in Forsyte Saga?

Old Jolyon Forsyte story arc

• Old Jolyon (Stephen Moyer) is the family patriarch, head of the older Forsyte generation (PBS Masterpiece).
• He is a wealthy property owner who values family tradition.

Young Jolyon Forsyte character journey

• Young Jolyon (Danny Griffin), known as Jo, is disowned after marrying a governess (Wikipedia).
• He becomes a painter and later inherits wealth from his father, Old Jolyon.
• His relationship with Irene Forsyte becomes central to the plot.

The trade-off: Young Jolyon’s artistic freedom comes at the cost of family acceptance, but his eventual inheritance validates his choices.

Timeline signal

• 1906 – John Galsworthy publishes The Man of Property (Wikipedia).
• 2002 – Granada Television miniseries The Forsyte Saga airs, starring Damian Lewis as Soames.
• 2025 – PBS Masterpiece premieres The Forsytes, a new adaptation focusing on the earlier generation (Wikipedia).
• 2026 (expected) – Season 2 of The Forsytes scheduled to air.

What’s clear and what’s not

Confirmed facts

• Francesca Annis plays Ann Forsyte, the strong matriarch (PBS Masterpiece).
• Jack Davenport plays James Forsyte (PBS Masterpiece).
• Millie Gibson plays Irene Heron/Forsyte (PBS Masterpiece).
• Joshua Orpin plays Soames Forsyte (PBS Masterpiece).
• Eleanor Tomlinson plays Louisa Byrne (PBS Masterpiece).
• Stephen Moyer plays Jolyon Forsyte Sr. (PBS Masterpiece).
• Danny Griffin plays Young Jolyon Forsyte (PBS Masterpiece).
• Irene ends up with Young Jolyon after leaving Soames (Wikipedia).

What’s unclear

• Exact release date for season 2.
• Full plot details for season 2.
• Whether Louisa Byrne survives the events of season 1.
• Who plays Young Jolyon’s first wife (the governess he marries).
• Whether the series will cover the entire Forsyte Saga or only the early novels.
• Whether Francesca Annis returns for season 2.
• How long the series plans to run.
• Which novels season 2 will adapt.

“Soames’ life is overturned when he falls for the free-spirited dancer Irene.”

— Debbie Horsfield, showrunner, Willow and Thatch interview

“The Forsytes is a fresh take, not a rehash of what came before. We’re digging into the family’s roots.”

— PBS Masterpiece press materials

For viewers new to the Forsyte saga, the choice is clear: start with the 2025 series for a fresh perspective on the family’s early years, but the original novels offer deeper context on the characters’ motivations. Without source material, the adaptation leaves enough threads — especially Louisa Byrne’s fate — to keep discussions alive until season 2.

Related reading: The Forsytes (2025) PBS Masterpiece season 1 cast, guide, and Irene Forsyte character relationship

For a detailed breakdown of every actor and character, check out the full cast list for The Forsytes on The UK View.

Frequently asked questions