Beneath the Tunic: Writing and Making the BBC Historical Epic Poldark

with Debbie Horsfield, Heida Reed, Karen Thrussell, Tom York, and Christian Brassington
moderated by Sarah Drew

Described by The Telegraph critic Allison Pearson as “devastatingly good”, Poldark is the perfect blend of action, adventure, forbidden romance and intrigue, set against the stunning Cornish coast.

An instant hit when it first screened on BBC One in 2015, the show raked in around six million viewers per week (as well as a further seven million in the US), making it one of the most watched shows in Britain – and boasting more than TWICE the audience of Game of Thrones.

Written with vim, vigour and a modern sensibility, Debbie Horsfield captured the public’s imagination AND maintained its prime time slot. To the distress of its loyal fans, its fifth and final season aired in the summer of 2019, but its legacy endures…

Meet Debbie Horsfield and the team to find out how it was written and produced, why it was such an enormous success and how to keep ratcheting up the drama, season upon season.

If you want to write multi-season historical drama for television, this is an absolutely unmissable session.

Appearing in this session

Christian Brassington – Actor

Credits include Poldark, Life in Squares, Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Christian is an English actor, best known as the odious vicar Ossie Whitworth in the BBC hit period drama, Poldark.

Debbie Horsfield – Screenwriter

Credits include Poldark; Sex, Chips & Rock 'n Roll; All The Small Things

Debbie is responsible for the BBC smash hit Poldark and is an award-winning screenwriter and playwright.

Heida Reed – Actress

Credits include Poldark, Death in Paradise, Silent Witness

Icelandic actress Heida won the hearts of audiences worldwide as the ever-dignified Elizabeth in the fraught Poldark love triangle.

Karen Thrussell – Executive Producer | Mammoth Screen

Credits include Poldark, Ordeal by Innocence

Karen is an accomplished executive producer who has spent the last six years overseeing Poldark and the Agatha Christies for Mammoth Screen.

Sarah Drew – Screenwriter

A screenwriter, musician and producer, the multi-talented Sarah brings her impeccable moderating skills back to the LSF this year.

Tom York – Actor

Credits include Poldark, Death in Paradise, Midsomer Murders

Tom is best known for his role as Sam Carne, brother to Demelza Poldark (Eleanor Tomlinson), in the award-winning BBC period drama Poldark.