Netflix Brings Back a Beloved British Period Drama After 10 Years — Just as Its New PBS Adaptation Arrives

Fans of Downton Abbey and sweeping British family dramas have another classic to rediscover. The acclaimed ITV series The Forsyte Saga, starring Damian Lewis, Gina McKee and Rupert Graves, has returned to Netflix US after more than a decade away, bringing all 10 episodes of its lavish story of wealth, forbidden romance and devastating family rivalries back to streaming.

The BAFTA-winning drama originally aired between 2002 and 2003, and its Netflix comeback arrives in the same year as PBS Masterpiece’s new adaptation, The Forsytes.

The Forsyte Saga Returns to Netflix After a Decade

Both seasons of The Forsyte Saga became available on Netflix US in February 2026, marking the series’ first appearance on the American platform since 2015.

The drama previously streamed on Netflix between 2014 and 2015 before disappearing from its catalogue.

British subscribers received both seasons in June 2025, and American viewers can now enjoy the complete 10-episode collection.

According to What’s on Netflix, the current US licensing agreement runs until February 2027, giving audiences a limited window to watch the classic drama.

Adapted from John Galsworthy’s celebrated novels, The Forsyte Saga follows a wealthy London family navigating the social expectations and personal conflicts of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.

At the centre is Soames Forsyte, played by Damian Lewis, a successful but possessive man whose troubled marriage to Irene becomes one of the drama’s defining conflicts.

Gina McKee portrays Irene, a woman trapped in an unhappy relationship and desperate for greater independence.

As forbidden romance, family ambition and bitter disagreements unfold, the Forsytes find their carefully maintained world increasingly difficult to control.

The story also explores the rivalry between Soames and his more independent cousin Jolyon, played by Rupert Graves.

Through its intertwined relationships, the series examines the tension between wealth, social status and personal happiness.

A Remarkable Cast of British Television Stars

One of the drama’s greatest attractions is its impressive ensemble.

Damian Lewis, familiar to audiences from Band of Brothers and Billions, delivers a commanding performance as Soames Forsyte.

Gina McKee, known for Notting Hill and Line of Duty, plays Irene, while Rupert Graves of Sherlock fame portrays Young Jolyon.

The cast also includes Ioan Gruffudd as Philip Bosinney, Amanda Root as Winifred Dartie and Ben Miles as Montague Dartie.

Together, they bring Galsworthy’s complex family relationships to life across two seasons of romantic conflict and social change.

The Perfect Time to Rediscover The Forsyte Saga

The series’ Netflix return coincides with renewed interest in Galsworthy’s work following the arrival of The Forsytes, a new adaptation developed for PBS Masterpiece.

Written by Poldark screenwriter Debbie Horsfield, the updated drama premiered on PBS on March 22, 2026.

Its cast includes Millie Gibson as Irene and Joshua Orpin as Soames, introducing the family’s turbulent relationships to a new generation.

The new production has also been renewed for a second season.

For viewers discovering the story through PBS, Netflix’s earlier adaptation offers an opportunity to experience a different interpretation of the same literary world.

Longtime fans can also compare Lewis and McKee’s performances with those of the newer cast.

Why This British Classic Is Worth Watching

With its lavish period settings, complicated marriages and powerful family conflicts, The Forsyte Saga offers many of the qualities that make British historical dramas so compelling.

Unlike a conventional romance, its story explores the darker consequences of obsession, possessiveness and the pressure to preserve family reputation.

Its relatively short 10-episode run also makes the complete saga accessible to viewers looking for a substantial but manageable period drama.

More than 20 years after its original broadcast, The Forsyte Saga remains a captivating tale of love, ambition and betrayal. With both seasons back on Netflix US and a fresh adaptation now on PBS, there has rarely been a better opportunity to discover this British television classic.