Jack Farthing is George Warleggan

"George’s status, power and wealth have grown since the end of the last series and at the start of the new series we find George opening his first bank. He is more of a force to be reckoned with financially and socially. He has the woman of his dreams, Elizabeth Poldark (played by Heida Reed), and they are expecting a child so he finally has an heir on the way and is living in Trenwith, Francis and Elizabeth’s house. Naturally he is changing the décor, making it a bit wealthier and gaudier. So it all seems well and as if it could all run smoothly for George but inevitably, fairly soon there are hiccups, which propel him into this series."

At the end of series two George almost fell victim to an uprising at his gates. Jack debates whether or not his character is becoming more resistant to provocation…

"George has definitely grown up, in the sense that he feels like he may be beyond scraps like the ones he had in series one and two, letting himself fall into them would be the mark of weakness now. He is a more important gentleman with his sights on bigger things and if he is truly going to become the man he wants to be, a new aristocrat, then he needs to rein himself in a bit. On the other hand, he still has his temper and resentment bubbling that he can’t really control and although he tries to, he doesn’t completely succeed."

Whilst George still has his temper, Jack has enjoyed exploring the new side of George who is rather enamoured by his new wife, Elizabeth.

"We have never seen George at the mercy of his heart until now. We see that now he has Elizabeth he genuinely needs her. He needs her emotionally and as his partner in society and the idea of losing her would be horrific so it is nice to see his dependence.

"I like that he looks to her, she is still his social rudder in that she knows how to behave in this social world much better than he does and he sees that. So while he would prefer to take the lead there are moments when he has to let her do so. The key thing is that his emotions are taken by surprise and he is much more at her mercy than he expected to be. The fun thing about any character is the unexpected. George is set up as someone quite villainous, quite unfeeling and so when you see windows into something else it is exciting."

Whilst George is happily married and living in Poldark manor we would assume tensions with Ross are quelled. However, Jack reveals this may not be the case.

"There will always be tension between Ross and George; they have a chemical reaction to each other. For George to have married Elizabeth and be living in Trenwith is indeed a victory in the face of Ross but there are many other ways they have to come up against each other.

"Their rivalry changes, it is not the same old thing; there is a tone to it that morphs with them as they grow. There are also new characters introduced this series who bring Ross and George together in new and different ways."

Jack tells us about all of the new and exciting characters joining this series of Poldark.

"Universally all of the new cast members are so lovely and full of enthusiasm for the show, which is a wonderful thing. The story grows and grows and all of these really great characters find new and interesting ways of interweaving and pushing the story in different directions. I got to work with a few of the new actors.

"Morwenna Chynoweth, played by Ellise Chappell, is Elizabeth’s cousin who George hires as a governess to look after Geoffrey Charles in hopes it will also pull him away from his mother. Morwenna soon gets involved in lots of different stories in weird and wonderful ways.

"There is also the Reverend Osborne Whitworth, played by Christian Brassington, who is a fairly hateful local clergy who George exploits to socially advance."

One of the returning cast members has a specifically special on screen dynamic with Jack’s character and it is one of his favourites to film.

"George’s bitter relationship with Aunt Agatha, who is played by Caroline Blakiston, really goes somewhere this series. It has been bubbling but now it takes off.

"I love those scenes so much, they are brilliantly written. I love Caroline, she is an exceptional, hugely experienced, wonderful actress and it is such a pleasure to film those scenes with her, we have a huge amount of fun doing them. It’s really interesting because you think George would be able to handle an elderly woman sitting in a creaky chair in the corner but actually it is she who really gets under his skin. It is the same with Elizabeth’s son, Geoffrey Charles. He is a little boy and yet somehow he really gets under George’s skin. It’s a nice surprise to see someone apparently so powerless driving George around the bend."

Jack is thankful for such a positive reaction from the public and a growing audience, Jack tells us why he thinks Poldark has struck a chord.

"The public reaction has been amazing. I am constantly amazed by the amount of people who watch and love the show. It’s people full of love and excitement for the show and wanting to know where it is going. We are super lucky; we have a very loyal and supportive group of watchers."

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