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The Forsyte Saga
updated 2.11.2003

Regardless of how excellent the sets and costumes were in The Forsyte Saga, no direction or acting could save the disastrous casting decisions that were made, especially the decision to cast the somber and long-faced Gina McKee as Irene. Also, the production and the direction of the screenplay were so heavy-handed, simplistic and extreme that I gave up on the series before the end. I'm happy to say that Masterpiece Theatre has returned to a more intelligent presentation with Wives and Daughters, in which the villains are not so black and the heroes are not so white.

Alexander Wood
Madison, WI

I have read the books and can just remember the old version. Gina McKee is perfect for the role of Irene. I know the book said she has blonde hair, but Gina McKee exudes both beauty and mystery. She looks every bit the tortured soul, with a free spirit trapped by circumstances in a loveless marriage. Ms McKee is one of Britain's finest actresses and has made the role her own. Well done, you northern lass!

Michael Boggon
Sunderland, England

I was so put off by this Irene, that I stopped watching after the second episode. I did try to watch the repeat of the full series but decided that, instead of wasting my time ranting about the horrible choice of actress playing Irene, every time she was on the screen, I would tape it and fast-forward her scenes. The rest of the casting was fine. It is a shame that the most important role in the series was given to an actress so unsuitable. She ruined the whole series. Perhaps, if I had practiced "a willing suspension of disbelief", I would have been able to watch the series with a more enjoyable state of mind. Why was she given this part? Let's pray that they cast a suitable actress for the final series.

Beverly Deraney
Boston, MA

I thoroughly enjoyed The Forsyte Saga and look forward to the next installments of the series. I thought that all of the acting in the film was wonderful. I was especially impressed with the casting for Soames and June. Also, although I have never seen the original version, I felt that the actress who played Irene did a wonderful job of expressing Irene's conflicted emotions. For me, the appearance of the actress did not detract from my enjoyment of the series.

Emma Burris
Winside, NE

This marvelous program has been a great help as I work on my first novel. I am amazed at Mr. Galsworthy's achievement! It is both intimidating, and inspiring. I am looking forward to the next installment.

The character development is quite amazing, while the subtle manner in which the author shows the folly and downright dangers of the Victorian era is quietly and effectively powerful. The film production is most impressive. Damian Lewis is simply masterful in his role as Soames. My favorite character in the story is June. She is so unlike the Victorian bunk. She is honest, resilient and generous. Irene is interesting (and played very well in the production). I often want to give her a shove however, and then I think, "Wait! She's doing better now." Anyway, Galsworthy certainly knew how to keep one engaged with both the story and the characters.

Thanks so much for showing such a great production. Another triumph for PBS!

Kate Walsh
Michigan City, IN

After reading the many hurtful messages other viewers wrote, I felt compelled to write one of my own. In my humble opinion Ms. McKee brings the role of Irene to life. She captures the spirit of her struggle. Her beauty is undeniable and her portrayal subtle. For those of you who disagree, I suggest you re-watch the series. Irene is a quieter more introverted character and that is the secret of her charm. She doesn't need to run about after men because they, unlike many viewers, see her inner beauty and worth, and are not nearly so superficial. Ms. McKee, you are simply splendid!

Amanda Taylor
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

I think I may be in the minority, but my favorite character has been Soames. I truly believe that he is a good man, despite his being so tightly wound and very unfortunate in his love interests. In my opinion, Irene has never established just why she has such a loathing for Soames. She has never given me any reason to join her side, though she so skillfully brought over Jolyon Sr. and then the young Jolyon. Soames is a bit obsessive, but forgive him! Irene can be cold, hard, adulterous, and yet somehow we are to be moved to her side? No!

The actress who plays her is so one-dimensional in this part. I have seen her and enjoyed her in other endeavors, but in this role she has never been able convey the true reasons as to why her character would hate Soames so. The "rape" scene between Soames and Irene did not move me either. It pains me to say that, because I believe violence should never play a part in any aspect of our lives, but as his character is so befuddled and frustrated by her coldness, I can see why the author tried to make Soames into a bad guy in this way.

The actor who plays Soames is outstanding! That last scene of him crying and holding his baby daughter -- and believe me, those were not tears of sadness -- is the exact point where Soames decides to cast off his misery and fully allow love to enter his heart. This, in spite of the fact that he wished for a son, in spite of the fact that Irene had a son and in spite of the fact that his wife was lying in bed with her head turned away. You see, Soames may be tightly wound, but he knows love. His father, mother, sister and aunts all loved him and he knew they loved him. They know him for the honorable man that he is, and I tell you I was so happy that he decided in that moment to let the bitterness go and to deal with the hand he was dealt. I do not doubt that he will be a wonderful and loving father. I've not read any of the novels, so I really can't wait for the next series to either prove me right or wrong. Oh please do not let his daughter and Irene's son grow up and "fall in love" with one another! I will be very happy if Soames's path does not cross Irene's path for the rest of their fictional lives!

Arlinda McGruder
Norfolk, VA

I really liked the casting job (with the exception of Irene). I felt so sorry for Young Jolyon (Rupert Graves), and Old Jolyon (Corin Redgrave) was such a sweetheart. I was very sad when he died. Soames (Damian Lewis) was a perfect, seething, sort of villain. Well done!

Jackie Hedeman
Champaign, IL

Overall, I enjoyed The Forsyte Saga, particularly the performances of Damian Lewis, Ioan Gruffudd, Rupert Graves, and Corin Redgrave. I thought Gina McKee, though a fine actress, was miscast as Irene. She just didn't have the mystique quality brought to the role by Nyree Dawn Porter in the 1967 series. Gina McKee's Irene seemed just plain cold, and with her rather plain looks certainly didn't suggest Irene Forsyte. It made it hard to believe that Philip Bosinney would toss aside the more appealing June for the cold-blooded Irene. Young Jolyon Forsyte was supposed to be sixteen years older than Irene. During their 1899 courtship, McKee's Irene looked a lot more mature than the youthful looking Jolyon, played by Graves.

I didn't like the liberties taken by the scriptwriters. Why add rather bizarre scenes that never took place in the book: notably, Irene slapping June; Winifred throwing glassware at Soames; Irene's graphically presented method of birth control; prostitutes protecting Irene from Soames and worst of all Soames with Irene's red dress? Also, it was distracting looking at some of the costuming: Irene's ball gown looked like it could be worn today, and married women in the late 19th century didn't wear their hair down to their shoulders.

I hope Fleur Forsyte is not miscast and the writers stay more with the spirit and plot of the book, in the second part of the saga to be aired next year.

Lucy Heckman
Queens Village, NY

Thank you PBS for bringing The Forsyte Saga to Masterpiece Theatre. It was a brilliant production and all of the actors should be commended. Damian Lewis was especially good. I can't wait for the continuing story!

Jeanne Allen
Newburyport, MA

I was disappointed with the latest version of The Forsyte Saga. Soames was too creepy; even his sister and mother didn't like him. Instead of coming across as "the man of property", he just comes across as someone who is very sexually messed up. He got very boring. It was all so heavy handed.

I also didn't like the way Old Jolyon was portrayed in his scenes with Irene. He seemed a bit of a "dirty old man". It wasn't that way in the book or in the older PBS version, and it didn't work.

I got used to Irene, and I think Gina McKee is an excellent actress. I liked the way you never knew if Irene was using everyone or not. Young Jolyon was too young to declare that he's an "old man" after dancing, and he looked like he was June's brother, not her father. Dartie is still a tedious bore. By cutting some of his scenes, it might have improved upon the book and the earlier version

Harold Williamson
Portland, ME

This was the best production I've seen on television, (which is the best venue for such a production). It's fascinating to watch the characters develop and change as they love, age, lie, and just live. There's mystery surrounding Soames's character. Is he a shallow cad who rapes his wife, or does he deserve sympathy? Should Irene be despised for "getting around" as she does in the Forsyte family, or is she a victim of the Forsyte manners and wealth? Could the family have acted any other way towards her? It's been very absorbing viewing. I'm so glad to hear the series is planned to continue.

Jim Wilder
Colorado Springs, CO

As a staunch supporter of Masterpiece Theatre, I was shocked -- shocked! -- to see such a dull, lifeless travesty hog the limelight for some eight hours of pointless airtime. The Forsyte Saga is a joke. It is boring. Ioan Gruffudd was a brilliant casting choice, but besides that I have nothing positive to say. Irene is insipid, plain, and speaks in a weird, wispy voice devoid of interest or crisp consonants. The entire production lacks the spark and verve that made masterpieces like The Way We Live Now so great. Please, please, please give up the really awful idea of making more pointless, punishing mini-series about boring rich people with pathetic lives, and go back to the classics. Anything by Anthony Trollope would be accepted.

Margaret Deli
Winnetka, IL

My neighbor and I have faithfully watched the whole series and look forward to the second installment. We particularly enjoyed the performances of Damian Lewis and Corin Redgrave. The former captures the dual, tormented nature of Soames, in our opinion, which is no easy task as Soames is so full of contradictions. Every so often we shout, "Oh no! Poor Soames!" We think he's a skunk, but he got a bit of a raw deal from Irene. Why did she marry him at all if she found him so repellent, (except for the money of course)?

Once they finally parted she seemed to be doing O.K. teaching piano lessons. Why didn't she do that in the first place? (Of course it would ruin the story if she had). We can't help thinking that because Soames is so mad about her, she could have "twisted him around her little finger" with only the slightest effort. Corin Redgrave is another example of the talented Redgrave family and is always a delight to watch.

Sandra Florence
Toronto, ON

It has been a long time since a program such as The Forsyte Saga intrigued me and sparked my interest! From the very beginning of the series, I felt that I was peeking through a door and watching the characters unfold; so well was this story portrayed! I sincerely enjoyed this series, and look forward to the continuing chapters to come.

Regina C. Wilcots
Los Angeles, CA

For Russell Baker: I just wanted to let you at PBS know how much my husband and I enjoy The Forsyte Saga. I can't wait for it to continue. It will be nice to watch on cold winter evenings. We love the era, the story and the actors. It is just a great love story. Keep up the good work! Thank you.

Lucille Murg
Leonard, MI

While I wasn't instantly drawn to The Forsyte Saga, I have to say I eventually became hooked. It was frustrating and interesting to watch Soames. His anger and fury was exhausting, but I kept watching and waiting to see something light-hearted come out of him. What a relief it was to see him show some real emotion at the very end when he held Fleur for the first time. Sometimes, I felt the characters fell a little flat and were inexpressive, but perhaps this was merely characteristic of the period, and what was considered to be polite society in pre-twentieth century England. In any event, this series certainly kept me interested, guessing and watching, and I greatly look forward to the sequel!

Amanda Smythe
NH

I can't help myself; I must come to poor Gina's defense. Admittedly, I have not read the books, and my memory of the original series is dim. Still, even though she is not the blond and beautiful Irene of many viewers' dreams, I find Gina McKee's portrayal subtle and intelligent; she grows on one, and all the more for not constantly exuding charm. She suggests someone with an inner life and hard-won resources. As for that skin and hair, and those red dresses; she is clearly a woman of taste! Lily Tomlin-like? Not really. I would say, rather, Anjelica Huston, or the women of John Singer Sargent's portraits; her overall "look" is more suggestive of the era than was Ms. Porter's.

(Interestingly enough, my 13-year-old daughter prefers this Irene as well: "She's SO gorgeous! I want to look like that!")

Melanie Lawrence
Berkeley, CA

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