Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
The Forsyte Saga Season 1 Episodes
Season 1 Episode Guide
6 Episodes 2002 - 2002
Episode 1
Episode #1.1
75 mins
The Forsytes are a well-established, upper middle-class family. Soames Forsyte is a solicitor in practice with his father James. A handsome man, he is nonetheless something of a cold fish. His heart skips a beat however when on a business trip to Bournemouth, he meets Irene Heron. Over an extended period of time, he asks her several times to marry him. She eventually relents on the condition that should the marriage prove to be an unhappy one, he would let her go. Soames' sister Winnifred is to marry Montague Darty, someone with a reputation for the high life, despite the fact that he has no money. Another Forsyte is Young Jolyon, someone with an artistic bent who, when rumors falsely suggest he is having an affair with his daughter June's governess, discovers the true affection he has for her. After telling his wife Frances that he wants to end their marriage his father, known as Old Jolyon, banishes him from his house and his family. Many years later, 17 year-old June Soames is madly in love with an up and coming architect, Philip Bosinney, who takes an obvious interest in Irene Soames.
Episode 2
Episode #1.2
71 mins
Soames Forsyte (Damian Lewis) hires Philip Bosinney (Ioan Gruffudd) to design a home for him on a piece of land he's bought outside of of London, known as Robin Hill. He wants it to be a surprise for his wife Irene (Gina McKee) but Bosinney makes the mistake of telling his fiancée June (Gillian Kearney) who blurts out the news. Irene is unmoved and seriously questions whether she wants to live in the country. Her relationship with Soames further deteriorates when his parents learn - again through June - that they are sleeping in separate bedrooms. For their part, Irene and Bosinney are clearly attracted to one another much to Soames and June's consternation. Old Jolyon (Corin Redgrave) reconciles with his son (Rupert Graves) but Helene (Amanda Ooms) has difficulty forgiving the old man for all of the hardship he has caused them. Montague Dartie (Ben Miles) needs money and takes his wife's pearls but, to Winifred (Amanda Root) and her father's shock, the bailiffs are soon at the door as he owes 100 guineas.
Episode 3
Episode #1.3
70 mins
With the house a Robin Hill complete, a jealous and vindictive Soames (Damian Lewis) takes issue with Philip Bosinney (Ioan Gruffudd) having spent £400 over the agreed amount. He takes Bosinney to court, much to the consternation of those around him and further alienates his wife Irene (Gina McKee). Forgetting to lock her bedroom door at home, Soames enters Irene's bedroom and forces himself on her. She packs her bags and leaves the next day but when Bosinney hears what he has done to her, he dashes out into a thick London fog to find Soames. Tragedy ensues however and it's left to Young Jolyon (Rupert Graves) to tell Irene the news. Old Jolyon (Corin Redgrave) meanwhile wants his son, Helene (Amanda Ooms) and the children to move in with him and proposes to buy Robin Hill from Soames.
Episode 4
Episode #1.4
69 mins
Finally reconciled, Young Jolyon, Helene and the children happily move into Robin Hill with Old Jolyon and June. Five years into the future, Helene has died. With his son, June and Jolly on an extended summer trip to Spain, Old Jolyon encounters Irene in the woods near his home. He invites her to stay for dinner and eventually to give Holly piano lessons. They develop a fondness for one another and the old man decides to remember her in his will. Soames meanwhile, distraught at Irene's departure, takes to his sick bed. His mother comes to his aid and decides to put her behind him and begin his life anew. He becomes aware that Irene is spending time with his Uncle Joyon but seems unmoved.
Episode 5
Episode #1.5
71 mins
Many years have passed since Irene (Gina McKee) left him and Soames (Damian Lewis) has now decided that he wants a divorce. He's met an attractive young woman, Annette Lamotte (Beatriz Batarde), who with her mother (Kika Markham) runs a restaurant in Soho. He calls on Young Jolyon Rupert Graves), who is trustee of the legacy his father (Corin Redgrave) left her, to ask if she could provide him with grounds for divorce. She assures Jolyon that there has been no one in her life, a message he relays to Soames, who refuses to believe it. He even visits Irene, but unable to find grounds for divorce, he decides that he wants her back. All he manages to do is frighten her into fleeing to Paris. Val Dartie (Julian Overden) is disgusted by his drunken father, Montague Dartie (Ben Miles), who he sees cavorting with courtesans in a casino. Montague decides to abandon his family and leave for Buenos Aires. Soames insists that his sister, Winnifred (Amanda Root), institute divorce proceedings. Val and Jolyon's daughter, Holly (Amanda Ryan), strike up a close friendship. When they agree to marry, Holly's brother, Jolly (Christian Coulson), intervenes by challenging him to join the army and go to South Africa.
Episode 6
Episode #1.6
56 mins
Soames' (Damian Lewis) hired detective locates Irene (Gina McKee) in Paris and he again pays her a visit begging her to return as his wife. He is desperate for a son but she flatly refuses him. He is convinced there is something between her and Jolyon (Rupert Graves) and when he confronts her, she refuses to deny it. He decides to seek a divorce and marry Annette (Beatriz Batarda). When time comes for Annette to give birth, the doctor presents Soames with a horrible choice but he makes his decision and rejoices in the birth of his daughter Fleur. Jolyon and Irene also live together and she gives birth to a boy, Jon, just a few months after they are married. The birth gives Irene and June (Gillian Kearney) an opportunity to reconcile. Among the younger generation, both Jolly Forsyte (Christian Coulson) and Val Dartie (Julian Overden) join the Imperial Yeomanry and go off to South Africa to fight in the Boer War. Only one will return.
