Winston Graham–who would have been 112 today (!)–and all things Poldark have featured in my life since the day I walked into BBC-TV Centre, for my first audition for the role of Ross Poldark in January, 1975.
Of course, I had no inkling then how significant the outcome of that test might be for me.
I wrote about it in Making Poldark:
It was a lovely sunny day, I remember, and I was going to an interview at the BBC. Another interview! I’d been to hundreds before. I’d been to three in this particular building—and I’d got all three jobs. What had my agent said? It’s for a thing called Poldark, written by a man whose name rang a bell—Winston Graham—and set in 18th century Cornwall.
I sat facing the sun in the producer’s office, my eyes twitching, and thinking of the third degree. As always happens, he covered the awkwardness of the situation by giving me an outline of the story while looking me up and down and through and through. The subtext of first interviews is always more interesting than the scene itself.
“Thanks for coming in. Of course, I’m seeing others for this part….I want to get it right—but very good to meet you at last. I’ve wanted to use you for some time.”
I found a bookshop in Gloucester Road, bought the books and attacked Ross Poldark for the rest of the afternoon.
I went through two more of these interviews and read a scene or two for the directors. By the end of the third interview I was quite keen to get the part.
The rest is history–a history that keeps refreshing itself.
Bonne Anniversaire, Winston!
I have much to thank you for.
Robin Ellis 
It is lovely that you still remember and respect Graham and also appreciate what the role brought to you. Not everyone remembers the people behind their good fortune. I really loved the Poldark series in the 70s. Thank you and stay well. X
How could I forget!
Dear Robin,
You’re still my Ross. I read how women are swooning over Aidan Turner. Some of them don’t even know there was a Ross before him. I wasn’t very keen on the new series.
I loved the books, still do.
1975……light years away.
Have a great summer, stay safe,
Nel
Thanks and you stay safe too.
I have had so many hours of entertainment, from the books and both series, I thank you both x
Thanks, Jayne!
Robin. I have a signed copy of the book by my side right now and I join you in wishing Winston happy birthday. What a kismet moment it was for you, a delightful fusion. Thank you for helping to bring the series to life and I’m pleased it has brought you, and all of us, joy over the years. I was in Cornwall whilst the series was being filmed and write about the Duchy now even though Suffolk is my home.
Thank you, Mike. I was born in Ipswich, Suffolk! It was a life changing moment to be cast.
It was a life changing moment for all of us Robin and a wonderful moment that has enriched and continues to enrich our lives. Would that you could have filmed the final stories but wonderful to see you as the inscrutable and feisty Judge in the more recent version. Nice to know you are a Suffolk lad.
You were such a fabulous Ross, leading an amazing cast. I have just spent much of lock-down reading the full Poldark series and loving both the narrative, vivid characters and wonderful writing. The books never get stale and the characters come alive every time I pick them up. Thank you Robin and thank you Winston. Happy birthday.
Lovely–thank you, Trudi!
Thanks to Winston Graham and to you as Ross Poldark for the wonderful television series made in the mid seventies. I have read all of Graham’s Poldark books, and still picture you in the role of Ross.
Thanks, Betty!
Thanks for this reminder of the wonderful writer behind the very successful TV series (and several other successful movies). I feel his work is sadly underrated or misunderstood as ‘romantic fiction’ these days ! During lockdown I have been reading all the Poldark books once again. I haven’t read them since I was a teenager in the 1970s ! Winston’s writing is so authentically detailed and evocative of Cornish society in the 18th century. The characters and relationships are beautifully drawn and his descriptions of Cornish landscapes are wonderful.
He really transports you to another world – which has been such a treat under current circumstances! Unfortunately it’s difficult to find most of his ‘non-Poldark’ novels. I suppose they’re out of print?
Best wishes to you Robin & Meredith in sunny France – from chilly Sydney, Australia (it’s winter here !)
Thanks, Julia,
Stay warm and safe down under!
And I’m so glad you got that part! That started me on a life long love for you, Winston Graham, & All Things Poldark.
Bless you–I’m glad I got it too!
As I’ve said before, your getting that job and me devouring the show and the books at ages 15-17 changed my life. At age 59, I’m creating an eLearning course about actors and theater in 18th century America (colonial-Republic). And writing a spec TV pilot about the life of an actor in the American Company of Comedians managed by by David Douglass.
Thank you, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Graham!
Peace,
Andrea in Arlington, MA, USA
Good luck with the very interesting project, Andrea.
Thanks!
I remember reading that Winston Graham said he saw in you the exact embodiment of the Ross Poldark he had created and described in his books. Indeed, to us watching, your portrayal of Ross brought the role to life with such a depth of emotional passion….a man of integrity with a strong moral compass, whose dignified sense of authority stood him out amongst his peers. Your characterisation of him was electric and powerful. My sisters and I held our breath each Sunday evening watching the series…we loved it with an absolute intensity.
As a young thing in 1980, I coerced my husband-to-be to drive me from Dublin (where we grew up) to Cornwall. I sought out your book ‘Making Poldark’ in Port Isaac and spent the following weeks exploring the area in an ecstatic state, with it as guide. Cornwall quickly became a life-long family passion and tradition.
For my 21st Birthday, a friend wrote to you in Stratford-on-Avon (where you were appearing with the RSC) and you kindly sent me a signed photograph. I still have it.
Although we now live in Oxford, each of our three children have grown up enjoying glorious summers on Cornish sands. With my sisters, their husbands children, we all join together three times a year in Trebetherick, on the North Cornwall Coast, something we’ve been doing for the past 32 years. Our 92-year-old artist mother flies from Dublin to join us.
In 2018 our daughter chose to be married in Cornwall, because she loves it so much.
When we’re curled up all together when the winds are howling and the sea crashing into the cove beneath us, we watch and re-watch the 1975 episodes of Poldark. It’s a treat we never stop loving.
Incidentally, our eldest son happens to be called Robin. From time to time our children would ask if he was named after you.
I just smile…
This is very touching and means a lot; thank you, Geraldine.
Cornwall stays in the blood–you are right.
My best to you, your family, your mother and Robin!
I remember reading those books and couldn’t wait until the next one.The same anticipation with your Poldark series.It took us to a different world.i still watch your DVD’s. The new one is ok But— preferred the original.
Have just received your new book,looking forward to exploring that.
Thanks, Margaret.
I like all your recollections of the Poldark series. I was very interested in the books by Mr. Graham, but they were hard to find (in the US) at the time. I remember scouring bookshops and libraries for copies. Back then, there wasn’t any such thing as online ordering or internet research. I still have my ‘collection’ of ragged paperbacks and discarded library copies! And I still have several VHS tapes of PBS’ airing of Poldark. Great times. Great memories. Thank you.
thanks, Diana.
Love the books, loved your Ross and Angharad’s Demelza. I have the DVD’s. Also love the new version but you will always be Ross to me
Thank you for thanking Mr. Graham.
I wonder if ALL (any?) of the many actresses who have played Elizabeth Bennett have remembered to thank Jane Austen.
We all have a lot to thank him for. Love his books and love you as Ross. Joan
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Thank you, Joan.
Always a fan of the books and the TV series, I have fond memories of meeting yourself, Winston and Angharad at a Poldark Appreciation Society lunch in London in the late 90’s. Sending my best wishes to you. Love your recipes…
Lovely, Jeanette–thank you.
Fantastic books, a great read. Loved the original series of Poldark but not so keen on the recent series. I have spent a lot of lockdown time rewatching Poldark. Thank you .
Dear Meredith and Robin I was living in the States when the show came to PBS and I remember watching the series in our family room every Sunday. I wrote home to my mum in England, as I did every week and asked her if she could find me the books. She sent me the whole series and of course I read them all. Gave them eventually to my daughter and then Aiden Turner came along and I had to read them all again. Now they are in my kindle library for eternity. But who would have thought all those years ago I would have a new “pen pal “ all because of the internet. Keep those lovely chatty newsletters coming. Be well both of you Rachel
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Thanks, Rachel.
I met Winston at a charity performance for the late Ralph Bates, the best and only Warleggan, I don’t know if you remember being there standing in the foyer rattling tins for Pancreatic Cancer Research, I was very shy of Winston, but he was very kind to a fan who didn’t know what to say other than Thank You, Little did we know you were to become a top Chef, that little Drake would be a Pirate of the Caribbean, that Mary, Paul, Angarharad would leave us. Working for the BBC I thought I wouldn’t be starstruck. I so totally was, even sitting at the same table in BH canteen that same evening with John Hurt and Miriam Margolyes didn’t phase me but the cast of Poldark did. Winston did. A magical night.
Thanks Margaret–I remember that evening very well.
You have both given much pleasure and happiness to me and to the world, Robin. You are Ross Poldark through and through. I have read the books and I still watch you and Angharad on video on my old Samsung video player, (both as good as new) in my tiny, Cornish cottage on the Helford and I’m away with the piskies. My one big sadness, is that you and Angharad were prevented from filming the final stories for reasons that I’m not clear on. Would have been a perfect ending as twenty years on was the exact timing for the books story line. Still, I’m grateful for what we have and many, many thanks, Robin. God bless you and your dear lady. Jean.
God bless you, Jean and thank you, down there on the beautiful Helford.
I’m reading The Grove of Eagles just now, and my wife just finished Cordelia. Tonight we will watch the opera Marnie on Met Opera online. Even for those of us who met him only a few times, his influence is timeless and profound.
I enjoyed Grove of Eagles years ago.
The first Poldark series was a precious Rite of Passage for all who were touched by it. It was far more than a television series, it was one of the stars in the heavens that we connect with as we make our way through our lives. Thank you, Mr. Ellis, along with every single force on and off the set who gave body to Mr. Graham’s creation. Happy Birthday Winston Graham!
Lovely, thank you!
Hello Robin
My goodness- and didn’t they get it right!!!
The perfect Ross and ‘my ‘ Ross!!
Love the books and loved your performance .
Thank you Robin!
Fran. Shaw
Thanks, Fran–it was tremendous to do it.
Although I enjoyed the recent production of Poldark, my friends and family are likely weary of my frequent comments that you are the “real” Ross Poldark. I watched the series avidly when it was first broadcast and recall that, in the US, at least, the books were released in paperback in sync with the series. I devoured them as they appeared, bought the later books as they came out, and most recently re-read the full series during the winter of 2018. After Poldark, I watched everything I could find that you starred in, especially enjoying “She Loves Me.” Somewhere along the way, I realized that many of the same things I loved so much about Ross were the same things that I valued in my late husband — great principles and passionate beliefs, including an affinity for those who lack the power and resources to stand up for themselves, and a stubborn adherence to them that could prove maddening at times, yet always to be loved and admired. And thanks to your blog and Facebook page, I have been delighted to learn how much, in these same ways, you are like Ross. Thank you for bringing so much pleasure to so many.
Thank you, Cyndy for this comment, that has me blushing! Ross is a great character to play and Aidan and I both took our chances!
Hi Robin, My new email address is healykathleen7@gmail.com. From tomorrow I will nó longer be able to access messages from this address. I hope to continue reading and enjoying your great anecdotes and comments. Yours sincerely, Kathy
Hi Kathy. You will need to re-register on the blog with your new address. Just repeat what you did before with your new address.
Such a nice tribute to Mr. Winston.
So glad Mr. Winston picked you for the part.
My first husband and I married in 1975, one of our weddings gifts was a small TV. We began to watch Poldark and we were hooked!
Robin I’m so glad you did get the part! I think you are just as nice in real life as Ross Poldark was.
We have so much to thank Winston Graham for…they are absolutely wonderful books, beautifully written timeless stories that I revisit all the time for their depth of character and observation…and, of course, for the brilliant BBC series that arose from them! I love both incarnations of Poldark, because they are ‘of their time’, but have a special fondness for ‘yours’ as so many of us do! My mum was recovering from an operation in the 90s and had to rest a lot – every afternoon I would go over to visit and keep her company (my Dad wasn’t the best nurse!) and we’d watch two episodes of Poldark on video each day. We still have fond memories of it! Happy birthday Winston!! x
Lovely memory, Rachel–Winston would have liked that you introduced an element of palliative care into the benefits watching/reading the Poldark saga! And you are right–it has helped many take their minds off their immediate worries.
Mr. Ellis, Sir, I only a few days ago finished viewing the final season of the recent Poldark-remake. I admit that when I first heard there was going to be an attempt to remake this classic series, I was dumbfounded that anyone would be stupid enough to even contemplate such a folly. I could not conceive anyone else but you being Captain Poldark.
However, I now see the error of my previous way of thinking. The new version was breathtaking and the final episode very satisfying to my tastes. So many long series fail to leave me feeling that kind of satisfaction at the end, but this fresh Poldark was close to perfect in its execution.
I must say, that the most moving moment for me was seeing you and Mr. Turner together shaking hands, Poldark & Poldark, in the final scenes….oh, the enchantment of that moment. Powerful, indeed.
I now have collected the entire Winston Graham book series, and plan my own adventure in reading them one by one. God bless his soul, for he gave us the gift of a heartwarming romantic adventure that will last the ages.
A humble bow to you, Sir….as always.
Very generous and kind, Chris–thanks.
“Poldark and Poldark”–not a bad title!
SO glad you got the part! A wonderful series which I watched avidly. Perfect cast. Even rented it from Netflix just to enjoy again.
Nancy,
Santa Fe, NM
Thanks, Nancy.
Thank you, Winston and thank you, Robin!