The very first adaptation of Poldark, starring Robin Ellis as the iconic Ross, was filmed way back in the mid-1970s. Specifically, the debut series was shot in 1974 and aired on the BBC in 1975, with a second series following in 1976 and a third in 1977. Yes, that means your parents or even grandparents might have swooned over a very different (but equally brooding) Cornish hero—long before the internet existed to share the gifs!
This original series was a massive hit, capturing that classic BBC charm with its lower budget and raw, lived-in feel. Imagine the production team battling real Cornish rain and mud without the help of modern CGI—it’s a testament to their grit. And guess what? Robin Ellis, the original Ross, even came back to play a key role in the 2010s reboot—a beautiful full-circle moment!
The Grand Revival: 2015 to 2019
Now, for the version most of us know and love—the one with Aidan Turner and that infamous scything scene—the filming took place during the 2010s. The first series (Season 1) was primarily filmed from June to November 2014, debuting on BBC One in March 2015. That’s right, they wrapped just a few months before we all got swept up in the drama, the romance, and the stunning coastal views.
The entire five-season run was shot back-to-back with a relentless pace. Season 2 was filmed from late 2015 to early 2016, with Season 3 following in 2017, and the final two seasons wrapped up with filming ending in late 2018. So, the show you watched in 2019’s final season was actually completed over a year earlier—a neat little time capsule of television craftsmanship.
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