Poldark Series 2 Will Be More Serious and Fast-Paced, Says Star Heida Reed

LONDON — Fans of BBC One’s hit period drama Poldark can expect a darker tone, a quicker pace, and plenty of passion when the series returns for its highly anticipated second season this autumn. According to actress Heida Reed, who stars as the elegant but ill-fated Elizabeth, the new episodes promise to raise the emotional stakes and accelerate the storylines that made the first season a runaway success.

“I feel like the story moves quite a lot faster in the second series,” Reed told Digital Spy during a recent interview. “I genuinely think that more things happen in that time. Maybe it’s a little bit more serious — at least in the parts I’ve been working on! There are lots of different plots going on, absolutely.”

Her comments will come as exciting news to fans who fell in love with Poldark’s sweeping Cornish landscapes, turbulent romances, and high-society scandals when the show first aired in 2015. Based on Winston Graham’s classic novels, Poldark follows the brooding war hero Ross Poldark — played by Aidan Turner — as he returns home from the American War of Independence to rebuild his life, his estate, and his fractured relationships in 18th-century Cornwall.

A Nation Captivated

When Poldark first premiered, few could have predicted just how quickly it would capture the nation’s imagination. Viewers were enthralled by its mix of romance, class conflict, and rugged beauty — and, of course, by Turner’s now-famous shirtless scything scene, which became one of the most talked-about television moments of the year.

“It’s been beyond anything we could have imagined,” Reed admitted. “It seems like people are still talking about it and perhaps hopefully watching it. We’re very grateful that it’s done well and that we can keep doing it.”

She recalls the cast’s nerves before the series debuted, describing how none of them expected the scale of the reaction. “We were all quite terrified when the first episode came out,” she confessed. “But I think we did have quite a strong feeling that we’d made something quite solid and that we told a good story.”

Turner’s Unexpected Sex-Symbol Status

One of the most surprising outcomes of Poldark’s success has been the sudden transformation of leading man Aidan Turner into an international sex symbol. His striking looks and physical performance made headlines across Britain and beyond, earning him legions of devoted fans.

“He’s unavoidably handsome and good looking,” Reed said with a laugh. “But it’s so hard trying to imagine what it was like before it came out. No, I don’t think any of us imagined this sort of sheer level of fascination with him. Which has been wonderful, because he deserves it!”

Turner himself has taken the attention in stride, joking in interviews about the shirtless scenes that helped cement his status. The actor recently promised that Poldark’s second series will include “a bit more nudity” — a statement sure to delight his admirers — while insisting that the show’s popularity will determine how long he continues to play the character. “As long as people keep watching,” he said, “I’ll keep doing it.”

Behind the Corsets

Reed also opened up about one of the less glamorous aspects of filming a lavish period drama: the restrictive costumes. She shared that while the wardrobe department’s designs are stunning, wearing them isn’t always comfortable.

“I find the corset quite tough, as most women do in a period drama,” she admitted. “But they are beautiful and they do make a great shape, and I’m very lucky to play a character that gets to wear very lovely things. I’m used to it now, and it really gets me into character.”

The actress, who recently appeared in Death in Paradise, even poked fun at the challenges of her attire on social media, posting a playful Instagram photo of herself in costume and dubbing the look “Cruella.”

More Drama, More Emotion

While the first series focused on Ross’s struggle to rebuild his fortune and navigate his love triangle with Demelza and Elizabeth, the second season promises to expand its scope. Expect more political intrigue, class tension, and emotional turmoil as the characters face fresh trials amid the harsh beauty of Cornwall’s cliffs and mines.

Reed hinted that the scripts delve deeper into the moral and personal consequences of the characters’ choices. “It’s maybe a little bit more serious,” she said, “but that makes it all the more compelling.”

What’s Next

Poldark returns to BBC One this autumn, bringing back much of its beloved ensemble cast alongside new faces and storylines. With its mix of breathtaking scenery, historical drama, and simmering sensuality, the series shows no sign of slowing down.

For fans of period romance — and for anyone who can’t resist a tale of love, loss, and rebellion on the Cornish coast — Poldark Series 2 looks set to be another must-watch television event.

Heida Reed will also appear in tonight’s episode of Death in Paradise at 9 p.m. on BBC One.