Ellise Chappell is Morwenna Chynoweth

"It turns out that the café I worked at before landing this role was Poldark’s executive producer, Karen Thrussell’s local and that I had previously served her coffee. I like to think it was all meant to be!

"It was actually whilst I was walking to the café to ask for my job back that I got the call to tell me I had booked the job and was joining the cast of Poldark. I turned right around and walked home again to tell my mum and we cried and laughed."

Ellise reveals even more incredible coincidences that occurred when she stepped onto set.

"My dad is from Cornwall and he grew up there. It was incredible really as I mentioned some of the locations we were filming on and he told me he had ridden horses on those exact beaches as a young boy, which was really amazing.

"What everyone says about Cornwall is true; it is truly beautiful. When it is glorious sunshine and you are stood on the cliff edge looking out, it is breath taking. For myself and also for my character there was a sense of awe seeing these incredible landscapes and not comprehending that they existed before. It is Morwenna’s first time on a beach and she is so taken with this county, it is almost like a fairyland compared to where she has lived before."

Ellise tells us a little about Morwenna and the effect of such Cornwall has on her.

"Morwenna arrives as a very innocent, young woman who is there to be the governess to Geoffrey Charles, Elizabeth’s son. She is very conscientious and gentle but underneath the surface there is a little bit of fire and a rebellious streak that she doesn’t even know exists. Morwenna arrives and sees this beautiful place and these open spaces and it ignites this more adventurous side within her and she is happy to go exploring and really appreciates being out in the open and having a bit more freedom.

"Morwenna goes on quite a turbulent journey during the series. Her and Geoffrey Charles bond really well and it becomes almost like a sibling relationship which soon effects Elizabeth. She was always the person closest to Geoffrey Charles and now there is someone unintentionally taking him away from her which has consequences. Morwenna becomes a pawn in George’s constant games and he uses her to further his own aspirations which is sad because as much as she has the courage to try and take control of her own life, ultimately that is taken away from her."

Whilst Geoffrey Charles and Morwenna grow close, there is another new character that comes into her life in the series.

"Morwenna builds this amazing relationship with Drake (Carne) who is someone that allows her to see new possibilities and ideas. Morwenna has grown up a certain way and is very aware of the rules and boundaries that society has set upon her. Drake is an eye opener for her and shows her that perhaps things don’t always have to be a certain way. Drake opens up a care free version of Morwenna who enjoys life and laughter and the two of them form this incredible bond, they are kindred spirits and it’s really lovely and so it is extremely sad when that is jeopardised."

Ellise tells us what it was like working alongside the two Harry’s.

"Harry Richardson is perfect in the role of Drake because he is so joyful and energetic and I can be quite reserved, like Morwenna, so in the same way Drake pulls Morwenna out of her reticent self, Harry did too for me.

"Harry Marcus who plays Geoffrey Charles and who I call Little Harry, was so much fun to work with, we got on so well and had such a laugh the whole time. He is so smart and professional but also still a kid so he has this wonderful energy. Both the Harry’s were so positive and brilliant!"

Joining an established band of actors on a much-loved drama could have been daunting but Ellise revels how welcoming the experience was.

"I was quite nervous at first, understandably, but as soon as I started to meet everyone I felt at east straight away because they were all so lovely. In Cornwall we all hung out most evenings. We would make dinner together and we played a lot of board games, specifically Bananagrams. Although I never won a single game!"

Character descriptions

Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner)
Ross attempts to deny his nature and isolate himself from the affairs of others but, with the stakes now higher than ever, he must find a compromise between what he wants and the needs of those who depend on him.

Demelza Poldark (Eleanor Tomlinson)
Demelza decides she will no longer be passive in her own life but, in learning to be her own master, she must determine what she truly wants for herself and how far she’s prepared to go for it…

George Warleggan (Jack Farthing)
No longer content to lord over Truro through finance alone, George finds new worlds and opportunities opening to him, but the obstacles he faces turn his journey of ambition into one of discovery on several fronts.

Elizabeth Warleggan (Heida Reed)
Contrary to her expectations, Elizabeth finds herself once again navigating a world of uncertainties and guarding a grave secret. She comes to learn, however, that she wields far more power than she’d previously realised…

Dwight Enys (Luke Norris)
A man of integrity and compassion, Dwight finds himself pushed to his limits by the war with France, battling not only the French but his own demons and the doubts they rouse; both abroad and at home.

Caroline Penvenen (Gabriella Wilde)
Rich, beautiful and clever, Caroline navigates society’s tiers masterfully but finds the complexities of married life, and love, can be altogether more challenging.

Tholly Tregirls (Sean Gilder)
Tholly was a friend of Ross father’s before he fled Cornwall and the law many years ago. His womanising and recklessness haven’t been forgotten, and his ability to stir the adventurer in Ross could spell trouble for all…

Morwenna Chynoweth (Ellise Chappell)
Morwenna is Elizabeth’s cousin, and finds herself in George’s employment to support her sisters and widowed mother. Morwenna soon discovers, however, that there are things more important in life than one’s sense of duty or place…

Sam Carne (Tom York)
Sam arrives in his sister Demelza’s world determined to follow in his father’s footsteps, spreading the Methodist word. But how can Sam profess to save strangers when his own brother courts temptation?

Drake Carne (Harry Richardson)
A good natured free-spirit, Drake has many of the qualities of his sister Demelza. He seeks his own place in the world and finds himself unwilling to settle for the limits life seeks to impose; especially concerning his romantic destiny…

Hugh Armitage (Josh Whitehouse)
As the nephew of Lord Falmouth, Hugh has grown up in the shadow of expectation – a fact he is keenly aware of. But Hugh is also a romantic and wilful. He would do as he chooses with his future, and being true to one’s heart rarely comes without a cost…

Osborne Whitworth (Christian Brassington)
Osborne is from an esteemed family and a reverend. Driven by lustful desires, the widower seeks a new wife and George sees there is a social advantage in helping him…

Emma Tregirls (Ciara Charteris)
Lusty and headstrong, Emma isn’t a follower of anyone. When the Carne brothers arrive with God in tow, Emma is therefore the first to poke fun at Sam’s piousness - but people have a strange way of getting under your skin and, as they say, opposites often attract…

Lord Falmouth (James Wilby)
A man of ancestral power, his will has dictated the people and politics of Truro for generations but Falmouth finds a revolution in thought occurring, one that threatens to upend the status quo…

Sir Francis Basset (John Hopkins)
Sir Francis is one of the wealthiest men in the county but where Basset chooses to ally himself will have significant consequences for the people of Truro…

Tom Harry (Turlough Convey)
Tom Harry is George’s right hand man and delights in carrying out his master’s dirty work. With George’s rising power, Tom Harry finds his own increased – and he’s only too happy to wield it.

Aunt Agatha (Caroline Blakiston)
Resilient and wily as ever, Agatha resists the Warleggan occupation of Trenwith with all the fervour she can muster, sparing what energy she has left to look out for the Poldarks both at home and at Nampara.

Prudie Paynter (Beatie Edney)
Prudie is Nampara’s loyal servant and an increasingly central part of the Poldark unit. For all her bluster, Prudie is as loyal as they come and not averse to voicing her opinion - whether it’s asked for or not!

Ray Penvenen (John Nettles)
Caroline's kindly, sweet-toothed Uncle Ray has raised her since she was orphaned. Ray is one of the county's wealthiest and most powerful gentlemen.

Cary Warleggan (Pip Torrens)
George’s uncle, Cary is shrewd and determined to win the respect of the ruling classes. However, his uncouth manner and lack of humanity works against him.

Captain Henshawe (John Hollingworth)
An old friend of Ross, Henshawe was Mine Captain of Wheal Leisure when Ross’ father was alive. He is well-respected in his field.

Harris Pascoe (Richard Hope)
Ross’ banker and long standing friend, Pascoe is a shrewd businessman. He frequently counsels Ross to be more cautious in his business dealings, and frequently fails.

Reverend Dr Halse (Robin Ellis)
Halse is a powerful Magistrate who has little sympathy for the poor. However, whereas he once held Ross in contempt, he begins to see the value in Ross, and we sense Halse is not as blinkered as we’d reason to believe.

Zacky Martin (Tristan Sturrock)
One of Ross’ oldest and loyalist friends, Zacky has worked in his mines for years and is well respected by both commoners and local gentry alike.

Related Media Centre Links

• Filming started for Poldark Series Three

Related Web Links

• Mammoth Screen