The Forsytes (2025) s01e01 Episode Script

'It was a momentous day
'when June's mother remarried
and they joined our family.
'The illustrious Forsytes.
'Or so we like to think
of ourselves.
'The groom, my grandson, Jolyon.
'Newly returned
from his escapades in Europe
'to take up his role
as heir to the family firm.
'Much to the frustration
of his cousin, Soames.
'An ambitious soul.
'Unwilling to play second fiddle
to anyone.'
I wish your mother could have lived
to see this day.
She'll be the making of you.
'Frances was a widow.
Queen of high society.
'Hand-picked to cement our status
among the London elite.'
'Of course, every family
has its rivalries, its intrigues.
'But on this great day
of celebration, we put them aside.'
That one is my brother
James's abode.
But inside, it's not
a patch on ours.
You can see why my brother
wanted her for Jo.
She'll steady him,
put an end to all this running amok
amid the fleshpots of Europe.
But you could've had her.
- I'd have made an offer.
- I'm obliged to you, Pa.
But when the time comes,
the bride will be of my choosing.
Well, quite frankly, why would you
want to burden yourself
with an eight-year-old brat?
My late husband
invested with Forsyte and Co,
so you might think
this is a natural progression.
I'm a prime asset changing hands.
And June has long needed
a father figure.
Go and be presented.
Grandmama Ann
is the head of our family.
Do I have to like you?
No.
Cos I don't like anyone.
It's a good decision.
Grandmama?
This is June.
Do you know what a Forsyte is?
A Forsyte is someone
who knows the value of stock.
And family. And repute.
You must never ask questions,
never contradict,
and never, ever fail
to come up to scratch.
Don't scare her!
She needs to know
what she's letting herself in for.
'Ten years on,
'as June's 18th birthday approaches,
'the peace and stability
of the Forsyte world
'is about to be overturned.'
Explain to me why drawing is
such a necessary accomplishment
for cultured young ladies?
What possible use could it be?
It's exactly what
your grandfather said to me
when I joined the family firm.
But you used to love drawing.
I love many things.
Will you draw me. Please?
Just a quick sketch?
That is me! Exactly me!
Here. We'll be late for breakfast.
So, I was thinking
..for my birthday,
instead of a ball,
could we just have a picnic?
Because your mother wouldn't
for a moment
mind cancelling the event she's been
planning for the last ten years
So, what do we think
of Charlie Armstrong?
Is that Sir Roger's boy?
For what?
For June.
Does she like him?
Well, she's never met him.
But I've invited the Armstrongs
to the ball.
Along with the Latimers
- Tea.
- Pallisters
Railways.
..Carterets
Land.
It's a question of who would most
benefit the family.
Miles Latimer?
Horatio Carteret?
The Prince of Wales?
I'm serious!
Hurry with your breakfast,
we have an appointment in town.
Where?
The dressmaker.
Your gown for the ball?
So, Pa, well,
something rather exciting
- And costly?
- A racehorse, Papa.
Monty's found the very thing.
And when you know the gee-gees
as I do
I'd hope, as my brother,
you'd want to encourage my husband.
Just as when you wed, I'll happily
take your wife under my wing.
If ever there were a reason
not to marry.
Who's marrying?
Frances said she knows a dozen girls
who'd make Soames a splendid wife.
Though I'm sure I don't know
who'd be good enough.
I believe she has several
coming to June's ball.
Well, thanks for the warning.
I'll go in disguise.
Shall we be off, Pa?
- Thank you so much.
- Thank you.
Lady Carteret.
Dear. We were hoping
to keep Miss Louisa to ourselves.
My apologies.
Do you know Mrs Frances Forsyte?
And her daughter, June?
Good day to you.
How do you do?
We need a gown
for June's 18th birthday ball.
I hope you received our invitation?
So kind.
Try not to let Mrs Forsyte
monopolise you.
- If you'd please remove your coat?
- Yes.
Obviously, this has to go.
Sadly, she's been influenced
by her father,
who has his own eccentric views
on fashion.
Like wearing clothes
which actually let you move.
So, a tight waistline, a bustle,
potentially a train
Certainly, madam.
If I may first take measurements?
Yes, of course.
I've other calls to make.
I'll return.
- Morning.
- Morning.
For half a century,
we have been pre-eminent
among London's stockbroking elite.
But lately, young upstarts
have been snapping at our heels.
So, how do we maintain
our supremacy?
By not resting on our laurels.
By seeking out new investments,
new markets,
by keeping our ear to the ground
for information that we may be able
to turn to our advantage.
I have something.
Soames.
Sir Roger Armstrong,
Durham Mining Co, is about to croak.
Good God, he's barely fifty.
Of course, the family keeps it
close to their chest.
Who'll be taking over?
- The young lad, Charlie Armstrong.
- That wastrel?
- Never done a day's work in his life.
- Precisely the point.
When the news breaks,
the share price will plummet.
Not necessarily.
Could hold steady,
if there's no loss of confidence.
We should sell.
- Our stock, clients' stock
- Thus ensuring a loss of confidence?
So, where do you suggest
our loyalties lie?
You know as well as I a massive sale
of stock will panic the markets.
And some of our clients have their
entire savings invested with us.
If enough shareholders got together,
they could force the company
to appoint a steadier hand.
Confidence could be restored.
Excellent. Anything else?
Have a good day. Onward.
- Obviously, we'll sell.
- Obviously.
Your mother is very beautiful.
I don't take after her.
Perhaps you favour your father?
Stepfather.
Is he a good one?
The best. Without him,
I'd have ran away to sea.
What would you be
if you could choose?
Free.
To go where I like, meet who I want,
choose my own gowns.
And you?
Would you be anything other than
the best-kept secret in London?
I'm content.
My father was a visionary
in every way
except for one fatal flaw.
His insistence that the company
be passed
from eldest son to eldest son,
regardless of merit or aptitude.
Ridiculous.
My brother's had his moments,
the company's prospered.
But as for Jo,
our so-called heir apparent
well, far inferior to you
in every way.
Still, there's a long way to go
before my uncle dies.
And by that time
Jo's utter unfitness for leadership
will be clear.
Whereas you will have
demonstrated your credentials.
Papa!
You are more like your mother
than you know.
She used to tell me
we had too much fire.
I almost wish I didn't.
When she died, I wanted you
to have a less fraught profession,
but now I think I was wrong.
Had we stayed in Paris,
you would not have had
to scratch about London for tuition.
But then I would not have met
your dear stepmother,
and then where would we be?
Lost
entirely without the sanity
of an outside perspective.
My dear
..the ballet,
- it's simply
- Not a respectable profession?
Well, you can't deny
it attracts women of ill repute.
And artists.
Of which my mother was one.
And so must you be.
Madame Lanner says there's
no more she can teach me here.
She thinks I should return to Paris,
take my chance
with the corps de ballet.
If they'll have me.
As for further securing
our heritage,
it's high time you were
seeking an advantageous match.
Look.
Papa?
Papa, what is it? Your heart again?
I knew it.
- I knew it!
- I said we shouldn't go out.
You were told to stay indoors and
keep still. I'll see you at home.
- Here, Papa, lean on me.
- May I be of assistance? Sir!
How thoughtful.
My husband has taken a turn.
- Here, permit me.
- You're very kind.
May I call you a carriage?
Where do you live? Putney.
How generous of you, Mr?
- Forsyte.
- Forsyte?
Forsyte?
Of Fitzalan Terrace?
Clarissa Heron.
Honoured to make your acquaintance.
And yours. Wait here.
I'll fetch you a carriage.
So obliging of you, sir.
Let me give you my card, Miss?
Heron. Irene.
Soames Forsyte. A pleasure.
Tell me about your day.
I was measured for my gown.
And Mama told me
who was coming to my ball.
Anyone you know?
A few dull cousins and a torrent
of "people who matter".
No doubt you'll be flounced up
like a meringue
and served up for dessert.
You guessed.
I brought you these, Grandmama.
Sweet boy.
Show Grandmama the drawing.
Isn't it wonderful?
Don't encourage him.
No, seriously
..don't.
It isn't that the
Forsytes dislike art.
They understand its value, provided
they can buy it and sell it.
Just they don't care
for the artists.
And they certainly don't wish
to be related to them.
Do we really have to be thinking
of a match for June?
The darling girl is an asset.
To be deployed strategically.
As I was
Hand-picked to ready you for rule.
If only I was the ruling type.
You are, my love.
- Are you coming, Mama?
- You said you'd read to us.
I will, my darlings.
Let me just finish this.
You must write to Madame Grasse
in Montmartre.
Hopefully she'll have a room.
Yes, Papa, but my first priority
is to get you well again.
Never compromise.
You hold fast to your passion.
You have the means to pursue it.
In my will
Why are you saying this?
Set me a place.
Frances omitted to order tripe,
and I cannot abide breakfast
without offal.
Sir Jimmy Buckland's had electric
lamps installed at his house.
Blighter must be coining it in!
I believe your brother's
considering them for next door.
Look into it, Soames.
I'll be damned
if he gets them before we do.
Quite right, too.
It's imperative.
Well, you must be delighted.
The will is entirely weighted
in your favour.
Purely to cover my expenses
in Paris.
But your share amply covers
the lease on this house.
With no change
to your manner of living.
My sincere condolences.
I saw the notice and felt compelled
to pay my respects.
That's so kind of you.
He was my dearest friend.
I hope family and friends
will rally round.
My stepmother is my only family.
Mr Forsyte!
We are bereft.
I doubt we shall ever recover.
- If there's anything I can do
- There is.
My husband's financial affairs
quite baffling.
Any light you could shed
I'm entirely at your service.
So, what I've done is
create the impression of a corset,
but without the whalebone structure.
Where did you learn all this?
I used to be a lady's maid
and had to repair her dresses.
Then when I came to London,
I took in mending
and set up as a seamstress.
Are you coming, Mama?
Er Excuse me,
we normally have tea at this hour.
Would you like to join us?
Yes, please. I'm ravenous!
What I'd give for your life.
- It's so simple.
- Thank you.
Straightforward.
Honestly, you don't know
how lucky you are.
Signature here.
And have you had chance
to look over the contracts
for the Blackfriars purchase?
- Remind me.
- Land adjacent to the river,
acquired by the company,
with a view to development.
Yes, canny piece of business.
This is your doing, Jo tells me?
Well, I can't take all the credit.
As the firm's attorney,
your judgement is highly regarded,
Mr Cole.
Please, come with me.
Thank you.
Any savings, property?
My father's wealth
was largely in shares.
He was retired,
and lived off the dividends.
Yes.
Yes, I see.
Would you excuse me for a moment?
Any update
on the Durham share price?
Yes, as a matter of fact
Congratulations.
You did it.
You off-loaded every share.
You went behind my back,
knowing we had agreed
to try and save the company.
I considered it
the best course of action.
Did you? Leaving no time
to finalise a rescue package.
So the company has collapsed.
It has.
Which you knew would happen,
and still you went ahead with it,
disregarding all the consequences.
The consequences
are that I've succeeded
in protecting
the bulk of our clients.
Do you have a moment
to look at some contracts?
So, I see that the majority
of Professor Heron's estate
was invested in a mining company.
- The Durham Mining Company?
- Yes.
Ruined.
Utterly!
How could your father
let this happen?
As Mr Forsyte explained,
stock rises and falls.
It's no-one's fault.
But how are we to live?
We cannot entertain, pay calls
even leave the house
without risking ignominy.
And I cannot go to Paris.
Well, shall we go and pay
our weekly homage to the emperor?
I'd pay a fortune not to endure
my brother's wittering.
All smiles for Grandmama?
I was thinking to go to Bath
next month.
What nonsense.
Harrogate's far superior
if you really know your waters.
Is this?
Sure this is real Old Worcester?
Think my brother's been diddled.
The Carterets and Latimers
have confirmed,
but, for some reason, the Armstrongs
have sent their regrets.
I can think of a few reasons.
Four pits, 2,000 jobs,
and a family in mourning.
Need we revisit this?
I realise it's inconvenient
to be reminded.
- We can't afford to be sentimental.
- Can we afford to be human?
Do excuse us.
A disagreement at the office.
- Yes.
- Usual story.
Soames the pragmatist,
Jo the hothead.
Most unseemly.
Sets a very poor example
to the clerks.
Will you ever learn?
I shouldn't think so.
Dear boy, just can't help himself,
he's too impulsive by half.
For the firm,
or the world in general?
Both.
Ours is a cut-throat business.
And Soames, you see,
and James, they are hard-headed,
whereas Jo is
Led by the heart?
But to prosper, truly,
as we have done,
one has to be cold, unsentimental.
As I have been my whole life.
And yet, lately,
I have regretted sometimes.
Well
..easy to say when one has
amassed a great fortune.
I believe the boy has the makings
of a fine leader.
Once he has acquired
a little more
Ruthlessness?
Yes. Of course, I know
little of business,
but might there ever be
a circumstance
or a need for Jolyon to step up
..would he then not see
the necessity
of acquiring a little more steel?
Quite possibly.
Whilst absolutely
retaining his principles.
So, what would this circumstance be?
The sheer
extravagance of this ball
..of my life, of this place
I'm glad you're aware
of the advantages you've been given.
But I wish we were poor.
My dressmaker in Soho, her life
it's simple.
She works hard,
she's an artist, but
she answers to no-one.
No strictures, no rules,
no obligation to marry well.
Well, there's no obligation
to marry at all.
Isn't there? In this family?
Grandmama.
Uncanny, how like you she is.
And not even a Forsyte born.
So, she might still escape.
Will you?
On my wedding day,
I stood in this very room,
brimming with hope,
my whole life ahead of me.
And then?
I became a Forsyte.
You won't be content
till we haven't a stick to sit on.
Well, what choice do we have?
How else do you propose
to shore up our future?
There are other ways that don't
involve beggaring ourselves.
Especially when
one is in one's prime.
Have we some appointment?
- I wasn't aware.
- Good heavens, is that
It's
Mr Forsyte.
Did he invite us?
Ha, bravo!
Hello?
Take this.
Ha!
Mrs Heron.
Miss Heron.
- So good of you to come.
- Marvellous sport, polo.
I've long been a fan.
I like to keep active.
Desk work is stifling.
Do you enjoy sports, Miss Heron?
Tennis and archery
are my favourites.
- May I offer you some tea?
- How delightful.
So, tonight.
At what hour?
Leave it to me.
I know how to time things
for maximum effect.
Well
..show me.
I realise it's the function of youth
to aggravate its elders,
but could you occasionally
resist the impulse,
and allow me to take some pleasure
in my child?
Can you?
Do you?
Contrary to what you might think,
often.
And if I seem to dictate,
that is only because
I was also once your age,
and I thought I knew best.
And did you?
I did not.
So, humour me.
And allow me sometimes to offer you
the benefit of hindsight.
As long as you allow me
to make my own mistakes.
I will try.
And now may I see?
No, Hannah. It's impossible.
I-I can't.
There's a carriage here
waiting to take you.
It will take time.
I must replace the entire panel.
Please be as quick as you can.
The guests will soon be arriving.
Sir Stanley and Lady Carteret.
Miss Olivia and
the Honourable Horatio Carteret.
Mr and Mrs Isaac Cole.
And what are Horatio's plans
after Cambridge?
I hope we'll see more of him
in London.
My grandson and his sister
have a very full calendar,
as I'm sure you'll appreciate.
- Mr Forsyte.
- She'd do very well for you.
Elevate us no end.
Not wishing
to upstage June's occasion,
but Mrs Cole and I
have some news.
The Cole dynasty
is about to produce an heir.
That's tremendous!
- Any advice?
- On fatherhood?
- Hardly think I'm the expert.
- June might disagree.
Sir. Miss June is on her way.
Would you excuse me?
Miss June Forsyte.
Lord, he was dull as ditchwater.
- Will you dance with me?
- I don't think I should.
Your mother has a whole list
of eligibles lined up.
- Please!
- Come on.
My dear friends and family
..we are here
to celebrate our beloved June.
Her entry into society.
For what is life but a series
of entrances and exits?
As one steps out,
another steps aside.
As chairman of Forsyte and Co,
I have laboured long for the
greater glory in our little empire.
But now I am wondering,
has the time come for me
to pass over the reins?
To my son
..Jo.
I tell you this now not to
distract from your special day,
but to rather augment it.
A double celebration, if you will.
To my son and granddaughter
both stepping up.
Mrs Byrne? Mrs Byrne. A moment.
There's someone I want you to meet.
Papa.
Papa, may I introduce you
to a new friend,
and the most wonderful dressmaker,
Mrs Louisa Byrne.
I have to speak with my cousins.
Er I
I hope June is pleased
with her gown?
How are you here?
Your wife came to my shop.
How long have you been?
..in Soho? A long time.
And are you married?
Widowed.
Since when?
Many years.
And you didn't think to tell me?
Our lives are very different now.
- I
- I must go.
Louisa!
After I left Venice, you
You promised to write.
It was a difficult time,
we were travelling.
I had no way of reaching you.
Nothing could ever have come of it.
I was a lady's maid.
You were the heir to a dynasty.
I loved you.
You would not have been allowed
to love me.
I must go.
God bless you, Jo.
Interesting decision.
But you approve?
Are you prepared?
Is he?
My brother would never have
come to this alone.
It's her doing.
And hats off to her.
A man needs an ambitious wife
if he's to scale the heights.
Wasted mission, of course.
The firm will go to the dogs
with him in charge.
He simply never had
the killer instinct.
No matter.
Others do.
So
..had you the least idea?
Your father's announcement?
Yes.
What on earth possessed him?
I never knew him to be so impulsive.
One wonders what he was like
in his youth.
Quite feral, I should imagine.
- Not unlike yourself.
- Me?
Well, rumour has it,
on your grand tour,
you blazed across Europe,
leaving a trail of broken hearts.
And why not?
We all deserve
our moments of madness.
And then we grow up.
And then we grow up.
Don't move.
'My apologies
for calling unannounced.'
I'm afraid my stepmother's out.
May I tell her you called?
By all means.
Forgive my presumption, but
since I first met you and Mrs Heron,
well, I suspect you've noticed where
my attentions have been directed.
I have.
And may I just say
..my stepmother
is an admirable woman.
Y-Your stepmother?
Yes.
I sense perhaps a slight confusion.
Admirable as Mrs Heron is,
she's not, in fact,
the primary motivation for my visit.
Miss Heron. I'm aware
that your life must be in turmoil.
The loss of your father,
your financial difficulties.
All I ask is to be considered
a friend, a-a companion.
- To me?
- To you.
Will you allow that?
A friend would be most welcome.
And if you do your lessons well,
perhaps when I've finished
Miss Carteret's gown,
we might go to the park
and eat ices.
May we, please?
That'll be the laundress.
- I'll get it.
- Thank you, Hannah.
Forgive me, I was passing,
and I wanted to thank Mrs Byrne
for saving the day last night.
Absolutely, Mrs Forsyte.
You're more than welcome.
So
..you've been in London
for ten years now.
- And before that?
- Ireland, as a lady's maid.
And Europe?
Did you ever travel?
Italy, perhaps?
Er, well, I, erm
Mama, look at this picture!
Who are these charming persons?
- I'm Holly.
- I'm Jos.
- We're twins.
- But I'm the oldest.
- Only just!
- And the tallest.
Nobody cares!
Jos? Is that?
It's what Mama calls me.
Although my proper name's Jolyon.
Well, I'm delighted
to meet you both.
And thank you again for last night.
It turned out to be
quite the occasion.