ITV is airing the acclaimed period drama The Forsyte Saga (2002) today, a series that viewers have called 'flawless in every respect' and more 'addictive' than Downton Abbey. The show, adapted from John Galsworthy's Nobel Prize-winning trilogy of novels, chronicles three generations of the upper-middle class Forsyte family from the 1870s to the 1920s.
Produced by Granada Television, the 2002 series covers three novels: The Man of Property, Indian Summer of a Forsyte, and In Chancery. It was followed by Forsyte Saga: To Let in 2003, based on the novel To Let. The series stars Damian Lewis, Gina McKee, Rupert Graves, Corin Redgrave, Ioan Gruffudd, Sarah Winman, and Gillian Kearney.
Critics have praised the adaptation, with one noting: 'It's a testament to the material's strength, and its handling here, that The Forsyte Saga still manages to succeed.' Another highlighted Damian Lewis's performance: 'It is testimony to Lewis' extraordinary skill that his is the character we loathe at the outset ... and in whom we become most interested by the end.'
Audience reviews have been equally glowing. One IMDB user wrote: 'Flawless in every respect! ... this series is simply one of the, if not THE best productions I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.' Another fan described it as 'phenomenal television' and placed it in their top three series ever.
The 2002 adaptation is the second television version of Galsworthy's work, following the BBC's 1967 series. A newer adaptation titled The Forsytes aired on Channel 5 in October 2025 but failed to make the same impact. The 2002 series remains a favourite among period drama enthusiasts.
