Everything you need to know about Poldark

Move over Mr. Darcy, there's a new period heart-throb in town

It’s been almost a year since Poldark first flounced onto our screens with his topless scything and brooding stares off to sea. But finally, FINALLY, the Cornish crumpet is back as season two hits our screen on Sunday 4th September.

One of the biggest hits of 2015, Poldark’s first ever episode pulled in a massive 7 millions viewers. But if you weren’t one of them, here’s everything you need to know to catch up…

The story so far…

Ross Poldark (a.k.a Aidan Turner) returns to his home in Cornwall after fighting in the American War of Independence – a punishment he took to avoid charges of smuggling.

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The problem is that, while he’s been away, things have changed. His father has died, his estate is in ruins and the woman he loves is now married to his cousin. Attempting to turn his fortunes around, Ross reopens one of his mines to search for copper but struggles to find financial backing.

His judgement is then questioned when he marries Demelza (a.k.a Eleanor Tomlinson), a penniless street urchin who he takes in as a maid to save her from her abusive father. Spurned by society, he now has to fend off the attempts of the amoral George Warleggan to take over his tin mine alone.

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How did the season one end?

Not particularly well for poor old Poldark. After Warleggan closed Ross’s mine, he bought a ship in celebration, which was then wrecked off the Cornish coast. The now unemployed and starving mineworkers plumber the vessel while Ross rescues all the ship’s survivors.

This leads the series to end with Ross being arrested for murder and wrecking. Oh, and his daughter Julia dies of diphtheria which is decimating the village. And Demelza isn’t looking too peachy either. So all in all, not ideal.

So what can we expect from season two?

Poldark gallops back onto our screens once again on Sunday 4th September at 9pm on BBC One for ten episodes (as opposed to last season’s eight).

The new series trailer has now been released, and it doesn’t seem like things are looking up for poor old Ross…

Accused of murder and on trial for his life, Poldark is looking at both personal and financial ruin – NAT ideal. 

On the plus side though, there’s plenty of sizzling sexual tension with his former love interest Elizabeth (a.k.a Heida Reed) and topless action as he sweats away in the mines and frolics in the waves. And after that?

Never fear – ‘Poldark will return’ (again). Season three has already started filming so you can rest assured there will be plenty more swash-buckling adventure on screen next year.