Poldark first aired on BBC One over a decade ago, bringing to life the novels of Winston Graham. Set between 1781 and 1801 and filmed in Somerset, the series follows Ross Poldark, a British Army veteran of the American Revolutionary War who returns to his Cornish home to find his father’s estate in ruins. Determined, he endeavours to rebuild his fortune.
The show won critical acclaim throughout its five seasons, earning a nomination for a National Television Award for Best Period Drama. Here is an update on several members of the talented cast.
Aidan Turner, now 43, rose to prominence through his portrayal of Ross Poldark. Since then, he has taken diverse roles including Leonardo da Vinci in the Italian series “Leonardo.” In 2024, he joined the Disney+ hit “Rivals” as journalist Declan O’Hara. Turner is currently working on two films: the epic biblical drama “The Way of the Wind” and the monster movie “Grendel.” In his personal life, he married actress Caitlin FitzGerald in August 2020, and the couple welcomed their first child in January 2022.
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Reflecting on his early days with Poldark in a 2025 interview with Star Sessions, Turner admitted he was initially unfamiliar with the story. “It worked out well for me that I wasn’t aware of Poldark or what it was,” he said. “I Googled it when the offer came in… If I did know, I might have felt that pressure. But, you know, coming to it late, I didn’t.”
Eleanor Tomlinson, who portrayed Demelza, Poldark’s maid-turned-wife, is a 34-year-old English actress who has since featured in BBC comedy-drama “The Outlaws,” “The Couple Next Door,” “One Day,” and “The Fortune.” She was in a relationship with her Poldark co-star Harry Richardson, who played Drake Carne, for about a year until 2018. She also dated equestrian Ben Atkinson, Aidan Turner’s stunt double, for two years. In July 2022, Tomlinson married rugby player Will Owen, and the couple welcomed their first child in February 2025.
Pip Torrens, aged 66, brought to life the character of Cary Warleggan, a successful banker. His recent work includes roles in “Down Cemetery Road” and “Renegade Nell.” In 2019, Torrens shifted some focus towards video game voice acting, lending his voice to titles such as “Elden Ring” and “Directive 8020.”
Tristan Sturrock, 58, a native of Cornwall, played Captain Zacky Martin, a close friend of Poldark. In early 2026, it was announced he would portray Captain Smollett in the upcoming series “Treasure Island.” His recent credits also include appearances in “Bunker,” “Industry,” and “The Death of Bunny Munro.” Sturrock is married to actress and director Katy Carmichael, and together they have three children, including daughter Bronte Carmichael, who is an actress.
Vincent Regan, a 61-year-old Welsh actor, took on the role of Edward Despard, an Irish soldier and abolitionist. Among his recent roles is John Harris in the acclaimed series “Shetland,” where he portrayed a moral and stoic mussel farmer recently widowed. He has also appeared as Rickard Thorne in “House of the Dragon.” Upon joining “Shetland,” Regan shared his enthusiasm: “I’m thrilled to be joining the cast of Shetland, which is such a beloved BBC drama. The opportunity to visit the Shetland Isles and work alongside actors like Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell was a real draw.”
Poldark remains available to stream on Netflix for those wishing to revisit the drama that captivated audiences for five seasons.