“Jaw-Dropping New 6-Part Period Drama Stuns Viewers — And Viewers Are Calling It Brilliant! Downton Abbey Star Leads a Lavish Victorian Saga of Romance, Scandal, Betrayal, and Family Secrets That Will Keep You Glued to the Screen From Start to Finish — Fans Say It Rivals Bridgerton in Drama and Glamour!”The latest 6-part period drama, adapted by Poldark screenwriter Debbie Horsfield, has taken TV by storm. Set in late-Victorian London, it follows generations of a wealthy family navigating love, betrayal, and ambition. Featuring powerhouse performances from BAFTA winner Francesca Annis and Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey), the series dazzles with sumptuous costumes, slow-burn romance, and scandalous family intrigue. Fans are already calling it “brilliant,” saying it rivals Netflix hits like Bridgerton in drama, romance, and pure visual splendor. Period drama lovers won’t be able to stop watching.

Viewers who tuned into the opening episode have praised the show on social media, with some saying they were “loving” the drama already, while others commented on the dramatic cliffhanger ending. But don’t worry, no spoilers here! Taking to X, one viewer penned: “Just watched the first one and already can’t wait for the 2nd one,” while another added: “Omg what an episode and what a cliffhanger.”

A third viewer hailed the episode as “brilliant,” adding: “Can’t wait till next week,” while another agreed, writing: “That was so good omgggg, I cannot wait for next week!!”

The show has been met with mostly positive reviews from critics, with The Telegraph hailing the show as “tremendous fun” in its three-star review, while the MailOnline gave the show five stars and hailed it as “brilliant”. Meanwhile, The i Paper gave the show two stars.

The series tracks the romances, family bonds and ambitions of the Forsytes, an upper-class family of stockbrokers in late 1800s London. The synopsis continues: “Sticklers for tradition and status, the older Forsytes prize duty and reputation above all else, whilst the younger members rail against the rigidity of family expectations. The question of who will take over the family firm puts Soames Forsyte and his cousin Jolyon in conflict just as their lives are turned upside down by the arrival of two remarkable women. Ultimately, each Forsyte family member grapples with the same dilemma –is it better to be ruled by the head or the heart?”

With timeless themes of passion, duty and family, it’s no wonder that Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga has been continually adapted for the small screen, most notably in the 1967 BBC series and the 2002 ITV series. The new series isn’t a straight adaptation of the novels, however, with writer Debbie Horsfield giving more weight to the female characters in comparison to the male-centric novels.