With 6.9 million viewers in the UK, the reimagining |of Poldark is steaming up the small screen, writes Debashine Thangevelo
ALL it takes is one show, one character to turn the tide in an actor’s favour. ER got the ball rolling for George Clooney and Tom Hanks first earned recognition for his role on the sitcom, Bosom Buddies – although many won’t remember these humble beginnings to stardom.
Despite bagging a role in Lost, Ian Somerhalder was propelled into the sex symbol league with The Vampire Diaries; ditto for Jensen Ackles from Supernatural (although it was his Days of Our Lives role that helped his career along).
For Aidan Turner – the protagonist in Poldark – this show has been a revelation.
Critics are raving about his depiction of Ross Poldark, in the reimagining of Winston Graham’s The Poldark Novels. Maybe it’s that wavy mane that belongs on the cover of a sweeping romance novel, or how well he wears them breeches (it is set in the late 18th century and such was the lingo of the times).
Then again, it could be those shirtless scenes combined with his character’s numerous internal conflicts between playing the hero and a sort of villain in love.
The story follows Ross’s return home to Cornwall after three years in the army. His father has died, his inheritance is no more and his sweetheart Elizabeth is married to his cousin. Despite being dealt several heavy blows, he summons up the courage to defy the odds and somehow make a difference.
Interestingly, viewers bonded with Turner as Kíli in The Hobbit trilogy or as John Mitchen in the supernatural series, Being Human. But those characters haven’t come close to matching the influence of this role.
The Irish actor, however, doesn’t allow the flattering reception go to his head, mind you. First, and foremost, it is always about delivering a performance that is authentic and entrancing. In a chat with Tonight, he recalls how he landed the part.
“Yeah, it’s just one of those things that sort of happen. I got a call from the agency and they wanted to send me a package. After that, I got two books, the script and an offer. It was great to get it. The script was strong and the stories brilliant.”
On how he planned to breath life into Ross, a role previously played by Robin Ellis in 1975, the 31-year-old says: “For me, when you choose to take on a role, you need to connect with it on some level, understand the motives of your character. With Ross, it just happened. I physically got an image of him and could here his voice. And it all just fit. We had 10 days of rehearsals to connect with some of the actors. I kept going to the books and kept finding something else about him.
“In the first few weeks, you are learning with your character. Some stuff is good. Some, not so good. Ross has a real sense of moral justice. When he returns from the revolutionary war, he returns to a different place. People are starving. There is no money. It’s a really bad state of affairs. And his beloved has moved on. While a lot of people have packed up and left, he feels the need to stay there and resurrect lives. That’s quite noble and admirable in anybody’s character. That was the first thing.
“He is a massive contradiction. While he is a really good guy, he isn’t purely benevolent. He drinks a lot. And doesn’t apologise for being the way he is. He is confident in his actions and a bit visionary. And fearless. He doesn’t want to be in debt to anybody, financially or otherwise.”
On the show’s encouraging reception, Turner comments: “I was hoping it would do okay. I never expected it to be critically praised, with the ratings doing so well. I really don’t know why it’s been so well received. But we have really good writers and performers. And the location is a character in the story. Honestly, though, I don’t know.”
Although he has worked with Phil Davis, who plays Jud, before, it’s the first time he is working with the rest of the cast.
Of course, given his TV heart-throb status, he was asked about how he deals with the attention: “Nothing has really changed in my life. It’s just another day, another gig. I’m still reading scripts and looking at what’s next.”
Of course, when it comes to Poldark, he admits: “I love this period drama. It’s part of history.”
That this series is rewriting it – and certainly his, too – is very telling. Fans of Outlander will love it.
• Poldark airs on ITV CHOICE (DStv channel 123) at 7pm tonight.