Richard Rankin, Sarah Alexander Join The Forsytes

The Forsytes, an upcoming adaptation of John Galsworthy’s Nobel Prize-winning book series The Forsyte Saga from Mammoth Screen, has added Richard Rankin (Outlander, Rebus) and Sarah Alexander (Pennyworth, Jonathan Creek) to its cast for a second season.

The first season is set to air on 5 later this year and on Masterpiece on PBS in 2026. In addition to Rankin and Alexander, Nia Ashi (Bob Marley: One Love) will join the ensemble cast for the second season, which is now in production in Bristol.

Rankin, Alexander and Ashi will join returning cast members 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) and Susan Hampshire, who starred in the 1960s BBC version of The Forsyte Saga.

Executive producers of the series are Debbie Horsfield, Meenu Gaur, Michael Ray and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen, part of ITV Studios, and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece. Season two was ordered by Paul Testar, commissioning editor for drama at 5.

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

“We are excited to announce that production has begun on the second series of The Forsytes,” Testar said. “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 and founder of Mammoth Screen, commented, “We can’t wait for the world to see series one 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.”