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Channel 5 drama lands a second series before the first even airs – and filming is already underway

Channel 5 drama lands a second series before the first even airs – and filming is already underway

The Irish Sun13-06-2025
A CHANNEL 5 drama has secured a second series - before series one has even hit screens.
The period show is a reimagining of a Nobel Prize-winning book series.
2
The Forsytes has landed a second series - before the first's even aired
Credit: Channel 5
2
Millie Gibson stars in a leading role
Credit: PA
Penned by Poldark screenwriter Debbie Horsfield, The Forsytes follows an upper-class family of stockbrokers across multiple generations.
And it is set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving late-Victorian world.
Despite the first series having not yet aired, a second instalment has already been confirmed.
Among the leading cast members are Doctor Who star
Read more on Channel 5
Further cast includes Joshua Orpin, Francesca Annis, Stephen Moyer, Eleanor Tomlinson and Susan
Hampshire
OBE.
Millie, 20, portrays Irene Heron, the dancer, who is known for her scandalous manner when it comes to men.
BAFTA winner Francesca, 80, plays formidable Forsyte matriarch Ann while Jack, 52, stars as Ann's competitive son James.
OBE, who starred in the 1967
BBC
Forsyte Saga and won the first of her three lead actress Emmys for the role, plays Lady Carteret.
Most read in News TV
The show is based on a trilogy of
books
called The Forsyte Saga, written by John Galsworthy.
These novels were released between 1906 to 1921 - with several adaptations over the years.
Glam life of Millie Gibson
Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, 5, said: 'We are excited to announce that production has begun on the second series of The Forsytes.
"With the first series set to air soon, this early commitment to a second chapter is a testament to the strength of the stories and characters that we know our audience will embrace.
"We look forward to sharing even more of this rich and compelling series.'
Damien Timmer, CCO & Founder of Mammoth Screen said: 'We can't wait for the world to see series 1 of The Forsytes, and we're so pleased to be getting ahead of ourselves and starting on this thrilling second series with Debbie Horsfield's irresistible scripts and our glorious – and ever expanding - cast.'
Viewers don't have too long to wait, as series one is set to launch on 5 later this year.
Top Channel 5 dramas
Channel 5 has become a hub for gripping drama, these are some of the best My5 has to offer.
All Creatures Great and Small
- Based on the best-selling novels by real-life vet Alf Wright, the show revolves around a trio of vets working in the Yorkshire Dales in the late 1930s. Eccentric Siegfried Farnon (Samuel West) hires James Herriot (
- New parents Tasha (
- Another soap legend jets off to Australia, this time its EastEnders alum
It was
originally commissioned by Masterpiece on PBS and produced by Mammoth Screen, part of
ITV
Studios,
But earlier this year, it was revealed Channel 5 had
Susanne Simpson, Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer at Masterpiece said at the time: 'We can't wait to bring The Forsytes to our Masterpiece viewers in the US, and we're thrilled that the series has a UK home at 5.
"With brilliant actors and an amazing crew, Mammoth Screen has created a sumptuous reimagining of a classic that will delight audiences around the world.'
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Mel Gibson becomes emotional as he recalls ‘joy' of making Braveheart
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Gary Downes (left) and Vinny McConnell, who worked as extras on the film Braveheart, pose with memorabilia from the production (Conor O Mearain/PA) As part of the King John Summer Prom festival, Gibson and his family joined people in a red and white tent on the outskirts of Trim on Saturday to listen to the Irish Philharmonic Orchestra play themes from famous movies, conducted by Niall O'Sullivan. Irish actor Patrick Bergin introduced the music from Sleeping With The Enemy, in which he starred in opposite Julia Roberts. He told a story about how, after auditioning for the role, he tried to leave the room and walked into a broom closet. 'As I came out of the closet (director) Joe Ruben said 'it was the look in your eye that got you the part'.' Actor Kate O'Toole told the story of how her father was away for two years to film Lawrence Of Arabia, before introducing the theme from the film played by the orchestra. 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Bikini-clad Alex Scott and Jess Glynne cosy up together on sun-soaked holiday in Rhodes
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Mel Gibson poses for selfies with fans in Trim to mark 30 years of Braveheart film
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MEL GIBSON POSED for selfies and signed posters in Co Meath to mark 30 years since Braveheart was filmed in Ireland. Fans travelled from all over Ireland to get a chance of meeting the Oscar-winning actor and director, who starred as the Scottish hero in the historical epic. The film was mostly shot in Ireland – despite the story being set in Scotland – after the Irish government lobbied and offered to supply 1,600 army reserves as extras. People queued at Trim Castle Hotel to meet Gibson and other Braveheart cast members. The event was held as part of the local King John Summer Prom festival, with proceeds raised for the Irish Equity Support Fund. Maksim Okhotnikov, eight, dressed up as Braveheart hero William Wallace in a costume created by his mother, who also sketched a charcoal drawing of Gibson. 'I didn't watch all of the film, I just watched pieces because it's (rated) 16+,' Maksim told the PA news agency. Asked what he likes about the film, he said: 'I like himself'. Gibson signing posters for fans Maksim Deasy aged 8 from Bettystown at Trim Castle Hotel. Adam Walker and his son, Nathan, seven, from Dublin, were among the first people into the room to meet the cast. 'Obviously he's too young to watch the full movie, so I was trying to show him the quotes, the big freedom speech at the end of the movie. We were watching that, we were watching the mad Irishman of course: David O'Hara who plays Stephen of Ireland,' Mr Walker told PA. 'We were at the Q&A yesterday and a lot of the lads pointed out that the actors said the thing that it did was it really changed things, Ireland seemed to really latch onto it, there was a lot of similarities between the Irish and the Scottish, but it seemed to call out to everybody. 'We were looking for a wedding venue 12 years back and we were looking everywhere and we found here, it was lovely, the prices were great, and then I read at the end the castle was where Braveheart was filmed. 'I said to my wife 'we're doing it' so we got married in the room just there and we had the castle as the backdrop. 'So it's very interesting to be able to come back 12 years later and actually meet Mel Gibson here, and this little lad wasn't even alive at the time.' Advertisement Elaine Coyle, who travelled with her mother from Dublin, said watching Braveheart was a family tradition. 'My dad would be a big fan, it's what we grew up with. It's a Christmas tradition in our house,' she said. She said of the film: 'You can relate to it as an Irish person a little bit too, it's iconic. 'It definitely opened the door to the Irish economy around films, it completely changed how the industry worked going forward, but I think in general people recognise that it made such an impact on Ireland, and we can also relate to the history of it. It's generational.' Cousins Eileen Shields and Anita McGrath travelled from Galway at 6am to meet the star. They said they are fans of Gibson's films Lethal Weapon and Daddy's Home 2. 'He has a wicked wink in his eye,' Eileen Shields said. 'It was lovely to meet him, short and sweet but it's nice to have the opportunity. 'Hopefully we see a lot more of him in Ireland. You know his family are from Longford, he was named after St Mel's Cathedral.' Anita McGrath said: 'I crocheted a shamrock for him, for good luck, so I gave it to him and he said 'thanks very much'. Just something different.' Ms Shields added: 'He wiped his brow with it.' Sevinc Ozogul, who lives across the road from the hotel, said she was excited to see the castle from Braveheart when she moved to Trim. She said Gibson is also one of her favourite actors, adding: 'I was so excited to see him.' She added: 'He was a bit tired but he looks great.' Mel Gibson has become a controversial figure in recent years, having faced accusations of anti-Semitism, racism, homophobia, and domestic abuse.

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