The Forsyte Saga_
The Forsyte Saga is a 1967 BBC television adaptation of John Galsworthy's series of The Forsyte Saga novels, and its sequel trilogy A Modern Comedy. The series follows the fortunes of the upper middle class Forsyte family, and stars Eric Porter as Soames, Kenneth More as Young Jolyon and Nyree Dawn Porter as Irene. It was adapted for television and produced by Donald Wilson and was originally shown in twenty-six episodes on Saturday evenings between 7 January and 1 July 1967 on BBC2, at a time when only a small proportion of the population had television sets able to receive this channel. It was therefore the repeat on Sunday evenings on BBC1 starting on 8 September 1968 that secured the programme's success with 18 million tuning in for the final episode in 1969. It was shown in the United States on public television and broadcast all over the world, and became the first BBC television series to be sold to the Soviet Union.
Network
BBC Two
Episodes
26
Updated Feb 16, 2026
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Overview
The Forsyte Saga has 1 season with 26 episodes spanning 1967.
Rating
With a 8.2/10 rating from 6 votes, The Forsyte Saga is considered highly rated.
Year context
The Forsyte Saga first aired 59 years ago in 1967.
CAST (13)
Eric Porter
Soames Forsyte
Susan Hampshire
Fleur Mont née Forsyte
Nyree Dawn Porter
Irene Forsyte née Heron
Kenneth More
'Young Jolyon' Forsyte
Fay Compton
'Aunt Ann' Forsyte
Lana Morris
Helene Hillmer
Margaret Tyzack
Winifred Dartie
John Welsh
James Forsyte
Joseph O'Conor
'Old Jolyon' Forsyte
Terence Alexander
Montague 'Monty' Dartie
JB
John Baskcomb
Timothy Forsyte
John Bennett
Philip Bosinney
Martin Jarvis
Jolyon 'Jon' Forsyte
SEASONS (1 season, 26 episodes)
SEASON 1
01
A Family Festival
The elder generation of Forsytes gather at Uncle Timothy's to exchange gossip about two of the younger members of the family: James's daughter Winifred is…
02
A Family Scandal
Young Jo’s decision to divorce his wife to live with Helene and their child shocks the family, and causes Old Jo to adjust his will…
03
The Pursuit of Happiness
Two sons are born. Winifred and her profligate husband Monty must appeal to her father James to ease Monty’s debts, as Winifred gives birth to…
04
Dinner at Swithin's
Several years have passed, and the family is abuzz over the engagement of young June Forsyte to bohemian architect Phillip Bosinney. June’s best friend and…
05
A Man of Property
Winifred’s spendthrift husband Monty continues to rack up debts, while Soames has bigger marital problems. Attempting to improve his disastrous marriage, Soames engages Bosinney to…
06
Decisions
As the affair between Irene and Bosinney becomes more and more public, Soames threatens legal action against the architect regarding cost overruns at Robin Hill.…
07
Into the Dark
A thick fog envelops London, masking tragedy. Irene waits to run away with Bosinney, who is driven to distraction when hearing the news of Irene's…
08
Indian Summer of a Forsyte
Distraught, destitute, and alone, Irene returns to Soames for one last night, then deserts him for good. Four years later, Jolyon and his family have…
09
In Chancery
Eight more years pass, during which Helene dies and June, now financially independent, strikes out on her own. Monty continues his profligate ways, stealing Winifred’s…
10
The Challenge
The South African Boer War creates anxiety for James, while Winifred and Soames attempt to extricate themselves from their marriages. Soames hires a private investigator…
11
In the Web
Investigators shadowing Irene in Paris detect her growing affection for Jo, and gather enough evidence to proceed with Soames’s divorce. Val and Holly secretly become…
12
Birth of a Forsyte
Queen Victoria’s isn’t the only death in this episode which also includes births, marriages, and divorce. Young Jolly dies in South Africa, while his sister…
13
Encounter
Twenty years have passed (the Great War slips by here) as the third generation of Forsytes takes center stage. Jon has grown into an earnest…
14
Conflict
The elder Forsytes continue to hide the details of the family feud from Jon and Fleur. Michael Mont, the perky son of a baronet, courts…
15
To Let
The annual cricket match between Eton and Harrow facilitates awkward encounters. Fleur scrambles to get Jon to the altar before he learns the truth behind…
16
A Family Wedding
Jon and Irene relocate to Canada. On the rebound, Fleur marries Michael Mont, who assumes narration of the series. Two years and more pass, during…
17
The White Monkey
Wilfred confesses his love of Fleur to Michael, as Soames lobbies for a grandchild. The board of directors is slow to act, while Elderson’s subordinate…
18
Afternoon of a Dryad
As Michael is tortured by the thought that Fleur may be interested in Wilfred, he encounters June, who lets slip some family history: Fleur was…
19
No Retreat
Both Michael and Tony address issues of trust in their marriages. The Bickets leave the squalor of their London slum in favor of a new…
20
A Silent Wooing
The scene shifts briefly to the Carolinas, where Jon and Irene are guests of young Ann Wilmot and her brother Francis. A gentle romance blooms,…
21
Action for Libel
Marjorie Ferrar’s threats of libel action against Fleur are meant to extract money and a public apology, but Soames contrives to turn the tables and…
22
The Silver Spoon
Michael and Fleur drift further apart as last ditch efforts to settle the libel case fail, and Ferrar vs. Mont is heard in court. The…
23
Strike
Social fallout from the Ferrar case drives Fleur and Soames on a trip around the world. Michael joins them in Washington, DC, at the very…
24
Afternoon at Ascot
June lobbies for Soames to commission a portrait of Fleur. Michael buries himself in social work, but cannot mask his anxiety regarding his marriage. Likewise,…
25
Portrait of Fleur
This moody episode illuminates Fleur’s restlessness, and Soames’s feelings of mortality. Looking toward the future, Soames installs young Butterfield in his law office to oversee…
26
Swan Song
The final episode of the series begins with an adulterous consummation, and ends in death. Jon succumbs to Fleur's seduction and immediately regrets his infidelity…
SERIES INFO
1
Seasons
26
Episodes
50 min/ep
Per Episode
Ended
Status
NETWORKS (1)
BBC Two
DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is The Forsyte Saga about?
The Forsyte Saga is a 1967 BBC television adaptation of John Galsworthy's series of The Forsyte Saga novels, and its sequel trilogy A Modern Comedy. The series follows the fortunes of the upper middle class Forsyte family, and stars Eric Porter as Soames, Kenneth More as Young Jolyon and Nyree Dawn Porter as Irene.
It was adapted for television and produced by Donald Wilson and was originally shown in twenty-six episodes on Saturday evenings between 7 January and 1 July 1967 on BBC2, at a time when only a small proportion of the population had television sets able to receive this channel. It was therefore the repeat on Sunday evenings on BBC1 starting on 8 September 1968 that secured the programme's success with 18 million tuning in for the final episode in 1969.
It was shown in the United States on public television and broadcast all over the world, and became the first BBC television series to be sold to the Soviet Union.
How many seasons does The Forsyte Saga have?
The Forsyte Saga has 1 season with 26 episodes total.
Who stars in The Forsyte Saga?
The cast of The Forsyte Saga includes Eric Porter, Susan Hampshire, Nyree Dawn Porter, Kenneth More, Fay Compton.
What is the rating of The Forsyte Saga?
The Forsyte Saga has a rating of 8.2 out of 10 based on 6 votes on TMDB.
Is The Forsyte Saga still running?
The Forsyte Saga has ended. The final episode aired on .
GENRES (1)
Drama
