The 8th Countess of Carnarvon wears many hats including author, chartered accountant, social media influencer, gin magnate, and impeccable hostess. Lady Carnarvon and her husband, the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, are the latest stewards of the historic Highclere Castle, which you may recognize as the primary filming location for Downton Abbey. In this episode, Lady Carnarvon discusses her new book, A Year At Highclere: Secrets and Stories from the Real Downton Abbey, and shares what it’s like to call this piece of living history home, as well as all things ghosts, gardens, King Tutankhamun, Downton Abbey, and more.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for The Forsytes Season 1.

With Season 2 of The Forsytes coming to MASTERPIECE in 2027, we wanted to give you a taste of what to expect from the next installment of this gripping family saga. In this episode, we’re joined by actors Susan Hampshire, Millie Gibson, Joshua Orpin, Tuppence Middleton, Stephen Moyer, Jack Davenport, and writer and executive producer, Debbie Horsfield to look back at Season 1, and peer into the future of the Forsyte clan.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 6 of The Forsytes Season 1.

On screen, actors Stephen Moyer and Jack Davenport play brothers and bitter rivals Jolyon Forsyte Sr. and James Forsyte. But off screen, the two couldn’t be closer. In this episode, we talk with Stephen and Jack about being neighbors, playing golf, raising children, and how their off-screen friendship of 35+ years informs their on-screen dynamic.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 5 of The Forsytes Season 1.

For actor Tuppence Middleton, Frances Forsyte is a complex character. Her heart may be in the right place, but when faced with an impossible situation, she makes some questionable decisions out of self preservation. In this episode, Tuppence shares how her character does all she can to hold together her marriage, the family, and her daughter’s future amidst emotional devastation. 

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 4 of The Forsytes Season 1.

When preparing for a role, actor Joshua Orpin opens his heart to the human being behind the character and tries to understand why they are the way they are. In this episode, Joshua talks about getting into the mind of the controlling and possessive Soames Forsyte in Season 1 of The Forsytes, and how his character is shocked back into reality while honeymooning in Paris.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 3 of The Forsytes Season 1.

Actor Millie Gibson joined The Forsytes cast as the artistic and free spirited ballet dancer, Irene Heron. In this conversation, Millie discusses how her character takes a leap of faith — a leap that promises her a world far beyond anything she could have ever dreamt.

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 2 of The Forsytes Season 1.

Screenwriter Debbie Horsfield was last on the podcast in 2019 to talk about the series finale of her adaptation of Poldark. Today we welcome her back to talk about her latest project, The Forsytes. In this episode, Debbie discusses the choices she made reimagining John Galsworthy’s novels about the landmark British family saga for a modern audience.  

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 1 of The Forsytes Season 1.

For acting legend Susan Hampshire, playing Fleur in the 1967 adaptation of The Forsyte Saga was a huge moment in her career. Now, nearly 60 years later, she returns to the story as the wealthy Lady Carteret in The Forsytes. In this conversation, we talk about how Susan approached playing Lady Carteret, as well as her decades long career. 

The Forsytes is a modern reimagining of John Galsworthy’s landmark novels which chronicle the lives and loves, trials and triumphs of a wealthy Victorian stockbroking family. Written by Debbie Horsfield, who also wrote MASTERPIECE’s 2015 adaptation of Poldark, this new series depicts the tensions between tradition and self-sacrifice, and personal happiness and the pursuit of love. In preparation for The Forsytes, coming to MASTERPIECE on Sunday, March 22, we’re joined by MASTERPIECE mainstay, actor Tom Durant-Pritchard, who plays Montague Dartie, to take a sneak peek at this highly anticipated upcoming drama.  

WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for Episode 7 of All Creatures Great and Small Season 6.

With the war over, Darrowby’s residents are eager to indulge in the merriment of the holidays. For some, this will be the happiest Christmas yet. But for many others, it serves as a painful reminder of the loved ones who never made it back. In this episode, actors Callum Woodhouse and Gaia Wise reflect on how their characters, Tristan Farnon and Charlotte Beauvoir, simultaneously handle loss and celebration in this poignant Christmas episode of All Creatures Great and Small.