5 and Masterpiece have confirmed that The Forsytes, Debbie Horsfield’s reimagining of John Galsworthy’s Nobel Prize winning book series The Forsyte Saga, is to return for a second series.

In the second series, “the proud dynasty faces a new era of scandal, ambition, and shifting loyalties. As love, legacy and reputation collide, the cracks in the family’s polished façade grow ever deeper.”

The first series of The Forsytes is set to air on 5 later this year and will premiere on MASTERPIECE on PBS in 2026. Series 2 is now in production, filming in and around Bristol.

Returning cast members in the ensemble include Francesca Annis (Flesh and Blood), Jack Davenport (The Morning Show), Tom Durant Prichard (Miss Scarlet), Naomi Frederick (Industry), Jamie Flatters (Avatar: The Way of Water), Millie Gibson (Doctor Who), Danny Griffin (Fate: The Winx Saga), Owen Igiehon (Disclaimer), Eleanor Jackson (Royal Mob), Tuppence Middleton (Downton Abbey: A New Era), Justine Moore (Call the Midwife), Stephen Moyer (True Blood), Joshua Orpin (Titans), Eleanor Tomlinson (One Day) as well as three-time Emmy Award winning Susan Hampshire, who starred in the 1960s BBC version of The Forsyte Saga.

Richard Rankin (Outlander, Rebus), Sarah Alexander (Pennyworth, Jonathan Creek) and Nia Ashi (Bob Marley: One Love) join the ensemble for Season 2.

Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, Drama, 5 said: “We are excited to announce that production has begun on the second series of The Forsytes. With the first series set to air soon, this early commitment to a second chapter is a testament to the strength of the stories and characters that we know our audience will embrace. We look forward to sharing even more of this rich and compelling series.”

Damien Timmer, CCO & Founder of Mammoth Screen said: “We can’t wait for the world to see series 1 of The Forsytes, and we’re so pleased to be getting ahead of ourselves and starting on this thrilling second series with Debbie Horsfield’s irresistible scripts and our glorious – and ever expanding – cast.”

The executive producers are Debbie Horsfield, Meenu Gaur, Michael Ray and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, and Susanne Simpson for MASTERPIECE. Series 2 was ordered by Paul Testar, Commissioning Editor, 5.

The Forsytes is produced in association with ITV Studios, which handles international distribution, with PBS Distribution handling North American rights.