Robin Ellis is a British actor best known for playing the leading role in the BBC series, Poldark, based on the novels of Winston Graham .
He appeared in many other classic TV series and had a long career in British theatre, including a stint with the Royal Shakespeare Company. His most recent role was in the new Mammoth Screen/BBC adaptation of Poldark (2015).
He has appeared in the original Swedish version of the detective series, Wallander. He also starred in the Merchant Ivory film, The Europeans and can been seen in Fawlty Towers, The Good Soldier (based on the Ford Madox Ford novel), the musical She Loves Me, Blue Remembered Hills (by Dennis Potter) and Elizabeth R.
Robin lives in Southwestern France with his American wife and a menagerie of animals.
His life-long passion for cooking plus a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes led to writing his first cookbook, Delicious Dishes for Diabetics: A Mediterranean Way of Eating (Constable & Robinson, 2011). His second cookbook was Healthy Eating for Life. His third and most recent cookbook is Mediterranean Cooking for Diabetics (Little, Brown UK). It is a revision of Delicious Dishes with the addition of over 200 beautiful color photographs by Robin’s wife, Meredith Wheeler, featuring their home and village in France.
A fourth and updated edition of his memoir, Making Poldark, was published in April 2015 in an expanded form with recent photographs from the making of the 2015 version of Poldark. A new chapter discusses his experience playing the unpleasant Rev. Dr. Halse. Rev. Halse returned in Series 2 and 3 of the new Poldark–and is due to make another appearance in Season 4!
Robin’s memoir is available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk/.
UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Making-Poldark-Memoir-Masterpiece-Theatre/dp/098393987X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1429426752&sr=8-3&keywords=Making+Poldark
ISBN is 978-0-9839398-7-0 (softcover, black and white, 182 pages).
A ebook version of the newly-revised and expanded Making Poldark is available as well as an audio version, read by Robin himself. The audiobook can be purchased online via Audible.com/.
Robin was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in his 50s, but was able to control the disease without medication for six years by slightly changing his way of eating and exercising a bit more. He has always loved to cook. His mother had Type 1 diabetes requiring insulin injections–so Robin was aware of the seriousness of his condition and was highly motivated to make improvements in his lifestyle. He hopes others will find inspiration in his cookbooks.
His second cookbook, Healthy Eating for Life, was published in January 2014 by Constable & Robinson in the UK.
For many years he ran cooking workshops focused on healthy, delicious and simple recipes in his village of Lautrec in southwestern France.
Speaking at a book event in Palo Alto, CA.
Leading a hands-on cooking workshop in Lautrec.
Robin Ellis loves to cook!
With the cooking class in Lautrec, celebrating their first evening together.
Poldark fan?
Here’s the opening scene in the original seventies version of Poldark:
The complete Poldark series is now available
on DVD in both the USA and the UK
Videos in remembrance of Poldark and Robin Ellis here and here
Poldark Appreciation Society on Facebook
Winston Graham & Poldark Literary Society
Series trailer:
Excerpt from Series 1:
Excerpt from Series 2:
Hi Robin-
My husband and I finally got around to watching the Poldark series this year. I really liked it. I googled your name and learned that you were into food and had a blog on diabetes. When I learned that you and Meredith were Obama supporters and against the war, I was very pleased. I thought I might be of use by contributing some information.
By way of introduction, I’m a clinical psychologist employed at Georgia State University in Atlanta. Most of my clinical career had focused on addictions. In the course of talking with many spouses of alcoholics, I began to wonder whether talking about the catalog of bad memories was a good idea or a bad idea. In seeking answers to my question, I decided to study psychoneuroimmunology. Psychoneuroimmunology looks at how emotions, and whether one represses or expresses, impact the immune system and health. I studied a lot of immunology. After getting a job at Georgia State, I started taking courses for real and ended up with a Masters in Biology. I worked in an immunology lab for a while. I continue to keep up with the literature and lectures at Emory and GSU. Fortunately, I’m in a good town for immunology and neuroscience. That’s the explanation of how I got from addictions to mind/body issues.
Anyway, with regard to diabetes. As you know, Type II diabetes is about insulin resistance. The receptors for the insulin don’t transduce a signal to the inside of the cell very well. (One end result of insulin signaling in a cell is to get a glucose transporter to the cell membrane where it can transport glucose into the cell.) The usual reason for insulin resistance is that inflammatory cytokines (hormones released by white blood cells) cause insulin receptor insensitivity. Additionally, hormones released by adipose cells also can contribute to insulin resistance, but less is known about the factors determining hormones released by adipose cells.
The next question is “what causes inflammatory cytokines to be released when an individual does not have an active infection?” It turns out that for people with a lot of adipose tissue, especially when the fat cells are distributed around the abdomen, the fat tissue is loaded with white blood cells that are all activated and pumping out inflammatory cytokines. (This accounts for the link between obesity and type II diabetes.) An additional contributor to systemic inflammation is stress. There is a pretty big literature making the point that inflammation and depression/stress are effectively the same condition. (But, don’t reach for the antidepressants because with long term use, antidepressants create inflammation and constitute a risk factor for diabetes.)
So, what can one do about systemic inflammation? Exercise decreases inflammation. Exercise will also get glucose transporters to the cell membrane in a muscle cell. Sleep deprivation is pro-inflammatory so don’t lose sleep. Omega-3s are good at decreasing inflammation and there is a whole literature on the inverse relationship between omega-3 and depression. Tumeric has anti-inflammatory properties. Aspirins are pretty good for reducing inflammation. Additionally, there is a whole literature on the association between inflammation and parasympathetic nervous system tone (referred to as vagal tone). With higher vagal tone, there is less inflammation. In order to increase vagal tone, meditation and exercise work. Relatively inexpensive biofeedback equipment is available for increasing vagal tone.
With regard to fats in the diet, Vijay-Kumar and Gewirtz (Emory people) have published findings on how diet changes the type of bacteria that populate the gut. Turns out that if an animal is fed a high fat diet, the bacteria that populate the gut will activate the immune system and then the animal develops diabetes. Researchers have taken the bacteria from the gut of a mouse raised on a high fat diet and transferred the bacteria to the gut of a regularly fed mouse. The mouse to which the bacteria were transferred develops diabetes. This new area of research is pretty recent, with original studies coming out just a few years ago. Since many people are working on it, I’m sure there will be a lot more said on the subject.
Hope this information is interesting and useful.
Thanks for Poldark and see what you can do to get Obama re-elected. I’ll be doing what I can to rehabilitate Georgia-but I don’t have much hope. In Georgia, it’s pretty unclear who won the Civil War.
Jill Littrell
I’m glad I read this. Really useful explanation of inflammation and adipose mechanism. Thanks for posting.
Thanks Jill ~ very informative.
Mr. Ellis, you were my first crush! I watched the original “Poldark” at the age of 9 and at the age of 12 named my cat Poldark. We lived in Hawaii at the time and “Poldark” aired Sunday evenings, which I usually spent watching it with my parents. One Sunday I spent at Sunset Beach on Oahu with my best friend and her parents. It was fun, but I made sure when we returned home, we watched “Poldark.” Her mother couldn’t believe a child would want to/should watch. When I assured her my parents let me see it, she relented and my friend enjoyed it as much as I did (her crush was George Warleggan). On honeymoon in 1991, while at the tiny Hewanorra Airport in St. Lucia waiting for a taxi, I was browsing in the small gift shop and lo and behold, there was a paperback of “Poldark.” Of all places to encounter “Poldark;” I took it as a good omen. I love to cook as well and will be ordering your cookbooks. I like the cinematography of the new “Poldark” and how they spend a bit more time developing the Dr. Enys and George Warleggan characters than did the original, but still prefer you and Angahard Rees as Ross and Demelza. So glad you’re a part of the new version as well. Best regards. Mary Williams
Thank you, Mary, for this lovely memory. I’m glad George (Ralph Bates) got a look in! Poldark in Hawaii is an exotic thought.
Dear Mr Ellis
I’m wirting to say how much I have enjoyed watching your work over the years. I remember your portaryal of Lord Essex in the 1970s BBC TV drama, ‘Elizabeth R’. However it is as Ross Poldark that I most envisage you. You made that character come to life and seem so real. We used to watch it as a family on Sunday evenings on BBC1 when it was first aired. Serials like that relied on excellent scripts and fine acting, like a good stage play. They did not ‘dumb down’ nor did they rely on special effects or expensive sets to make up for poor writing, bad acting and inadequate directing. Its a pity that the BBC does not make such programmes any more.
I share your enthusiasm for cooking, especially using ‘period’ recipes. One day I intend to stage a Poldark Dinner with friends, costumes included.
Best wishes to you.
Mark Evans
Thanks Mark for your generous remarks-much appreciated.
As for the comparison of TV production back then with more recent times I would have to mimic Francis Urquhart in “House of Cards” and say: “You might very well think that; I couldn’t possibly comment.”
Please let me know what you decide on for the main course of your Poldark Dinner!–might be something gamey I guess…
warm regards.
You need a ‘like’ button. Too funny 🙂
Hello Robin – do you mind me using your first name?
I must say that I think ‘House of Cards’ is one of the few quality serials the BBC put out after the late 1970s/early 1980s. It’s another one I have on DVD.
I thought Ian Richardson’s portrayal of Francis Urquhart was excellent. Truly a great actor and sadly missed. Jeremy Brett is another actor who I came to like through excellent TV drama, in his case Granada TV’s ‘Sherlock Holmes’ series.
I did some script writing myself a few years ago – nothing ever accepted but engaging to do – and for a while helped run a small community-film company. During this time I spoke to a number of TV/film professionals and we discussed the reduction in quality drama output from the 1980s onwards. Most of them put it down to changes in production culture, some driven by cost cutting but mainly by the totally different attitudes held by the newer generation of directors/producers. I must say I share this view. BBC TV sets in the 1970s were notorious for often looking like something out of an amateur dramatics production; ‘Elizabeth R’ is a good example of ‘cardboard sets’. They were not huge-budget productions but nevertheless were so good that they still are loved today. I spoke with one young budding director – he was 21 and I was 45 at the time so young to me! – and he told me that many of his contemporaries looked back to the 1970s programmes for ideas and guidance but that policy rarely allowed them to emulate them. This not to say that it was a ‘golden age’ back then – or if it was, there certainly was some dross around the gold. Nor am I one of those people who think anything in the past must have been better. However facts speak for themselves; I no longer bother to have a TV. We watch DVDs, mostly of older material, and listen to the radio.
Thank you for your comments on my idea of a period dinner with Poldark as a basis. I’ve done many dinners in various periods and the eighteenth century offers a lot of scope. Are you suggesting that Ross Poldark would choose game as a main course? Would you suggest other ideas as to what he might choose to tell his cook to prepare – let’s say, not Prudie!
Finally, I must apologise for the glaring ‘typo’ right at the beginning of my last missive. ‘Wirting’ apparently is an old word that means ‘worry’ and I do hope I was not ‘…worrying to say…’
Mark Evans
Well–maybe a rabbit or a pheasant, poached off Warleggan land!
Mr Ellis, if this is really you. I politely ask that you privately Email me. A personal private sincere matter. No hoax. My name is Colin. PLEASE, Sir. Hand on heart.
Rabbit is good. Actually we’re having ‘Easter bunny’ for dinner tomorrow using an old recipe. Not sure about poaching one off Warleggan, however. I recall that to be a good way to end up in some filthy Gaol like another Mark.
Good morning Robin
I thought that you might like to know that we cooked ‘Rabbit Warleggan’ for Easter Sunday dinner and very good it was too. Simple recipe: fill a whole rabbit with a traditional herb and onion stuffing, sew it up, place on a rack in a baking tray, and baste well with melted butter. Add a small amount of water to the tray, cover and cook in an oven for 120 minutes at 160C; turn the rabbit and baste well three or four times with juices from the pan. Uncover, drain off juices to make thick gravy with flour and butter. Allow rabbit to stand for 10 minutes whilst doing so. Carve and serve with the stuffing and gravy.
I am writing just to say that back in the 1970’s when the series was first shown, it was a very difficult time in my life and the Poldark series was a God send to me. I was a huge fan at the time, and still am. I’ve already bought both series 1 & 2 on DVD.
Thanks so much for all the pleasure the series and YOU have given me and I wish you all the best in your new adventure in cooking!
I am a huge fan!
Sincerely,
Lynn P. Dougherty
Santa Monica, CA
Thank you, Lynn–and I’m so happy the series has meant that much to you.
I’m enjoying this “new adventure” and thanks for your good wishes.
Good morning,
the slipping especially for my admiration for him for his performance in Poldark ….. I overcooked her, wonderful, I got a DVD edition in English because in Italian there …. sin. I came across your site, and I was surprised at his culinary passion, especially with regard to diabetes.
I wanted to ask you a question about his book, a friend of mine has a daughter aged 14 who unfortunately was diagnosed with diabetes, it makes 4 injections per day and is being treated by a psychologist to accept his conditions, which of course has changed his way of living and eating, his book is interesting and I wonder if there is the possibility of being able to buy here in Italy !!!!!
thanks and a hug ….
Annalisa
Dear Mr. Ellis:
I have been watching the BBC Poldark series where you play Ross and have always wanted to see all the episodes.
I must confess that I was never a big fan of reading until the 70’s when I first began reading the series. The characters were so well defined that I felt as if I knew them all. This was the beginning of my great love of reading.
This series was so well done and the actors (yourself included) were perfect for their roles. It is not always easy to portray a superb saga into a series and I commend all involved.
Bravo
Dear Robin,
I have just watched the Poldark series again on Netflix.
I was raised in London (Hampstead) by my english mother
and american father. Watching Poldark again brings back
wonderful memories of summers in Cornwall. Although I am
in Arizona now, I can still remember Mousehole, Lamorna
Cove, and Newquay. Thank you .
Do they still publish Arizona Highways down there in Arizona, Karin?
Yes, they do and the photographs are beautiful.
The southwest has a unique landscape. I have
visited all the Anasazi ruins because I love archaelogy.
When I need to see the ocean, I visit La Jolla in San
Diego!
Mr. Ellis,
I know countless fans have thanked you over the years for “Poldark” and the other projects to which you added excellence and class. I watched the original broadcasts in the 70s as a teen, and just again this past week (all 29 episodes in a delightful marathon). I plan to reread the entire Winston Graham series of novels, too, a grand summer effort!
You’ve inspired some of my own writing (http://eugenialucas.8k.com), and the fact you’ve taken up the cause of diabetics is fantastic. If my sons appreciated more than hamburgers and pizza, I would spend time in the kitchen trying your recipes! May your book become a best-seller!
thanks, Julie–maybe it’s worth a try–in the kitchen–anyway.
Mr. Ellis, what a deliciously delightful, sparkling blog! Thank you and I’m so glad I found it. I’m also Type 2 and am looking forward to the publication of your book here in the States.
Would you believe it? We are watching “Poldark” again (and loving it) via streaming video internet connection. It’s on Netflix and we can watch it again ANY time we want! Don’t you love technology? Our son-in-law is from Cornwall but he “lost” the accent along the way!
All our best to you and your wife from the Shenandoah Valley.
Patti
Thanks Patti–for the good wishes.
Best to you too over there in Shenandoah.
Hi Robin
Can’t wait for your book to come out – my dear OH was diagnosed with type 2 last year and we are are so fed up with the diet! Looking forward to some interesting food that our two teenagers will love also…
Incidentally, we are ex-pats living in France too – near Limoges – and have nothing but praise for the French health care. Last year, his little 8 day stint in hospital cost nearly 8 thousand euros, but paid for by the state/insurance under the ‘lillness of long duration’ rules. However, it will be interesting to see if the new draconian rules about testing strips will be overturned – will the government pay for them or not?
best regards
Carol
Thanks Carol and best to OH–hope you find a few recipes on the blog to interest you ’til the book comes out.
You are right about the french system–reassuring.
Mr. Ellis,
Like several others here my wife and I discovered Poldark on Netflix and have thoroughly enjoyed the authenticity, attention to detail and the marvelous performances. Living in an historic part of Maryland and visiting Colonial WIlliamsburg, Virginia frequently we can fully appreciate the broader picture of the late 1700s English culture as depicted in Poldark, despite the different settings.
Your site was a pleasant surprise for us with its focus on proper nutrition and sharing ideas for living healthier. Living near a friend’s farm with many pets – cats, a goat, a Palomino who is generally man-shy, ducks, geese, and a vineyard has helped us enjoy a rural life and learn firsthand about growing healthy foods. Your site is a marvelous blend of good stories, and healthy living.,We particularly empathize with the recent loss of your family pet. Our friends with the farm lost a long time pet cat (Snowshoe) who apparently fell through the ice on their pond last winter, likely chasing an errant prey.
We will use some of your healthy recipes with the summer harvest to come. Thanks very much.
Sincerely,
Brian & Mary Marshall
Jefferson, Maryland, USA
Thanks Brian and Mary for your generous remarks.
You are right to mention the attention to detail.
I remember watching in wonder as John Bloomfield–costume designer on the 1st series–sitting on a Cornish wall in the freezing cold, sowing a button on the dress of an extra, which had only the remotest chance of being in shot, let alone noticed!
John went on to have a distinguished career in movies.
Dear Robin,
I just saw the first season of Poldark for the first time in 35 years, and was stunned to find how much I remembered of it – even the small gestures. For someone who is losing her memory of a number of things, that was quite a discovery! It also shows what an impression the series – and your other work – made on me. The television production of the musical “She Loves Me” – which is my all time favorite musical – is still very clear for me.
I’ve been glad to meet John Curran, Paul’s son, through our theater work in Atlanta. We both have worked with The Atlanta Shakespeare Company, and with Working Title Playwrights; he’s a lovely man. It’s a pleasure now to find your website – especially since I love cooking, love country life, and we’re in need of Mediterranean recipes for diabetics here! The blog is wonderful, I look forward to reading more.
Thank you for so many pleasures!
Sandra Sparks
Hello Robin!
I wonder if the name anthony (tony) goudie rings a bell from Highgate?
You were always a better sprinter than I wa I!
I have the photos to prove it…
I am on Facebook if you ever wanted to know more!
Very happy memories.
tg.
Dear Mr. Robin Elllis
My name is Jakeh ( pronounced Jake) Bettney and I am 17 years old.
I am a huge fan of your work and I thought you were brilliant in Heartbeat, Fawlty Towers and The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes.
I think they are all fantastic shows, which people of all ages can watch together and I also enjoy them because there’s no swearing in them.
I always enjoy watching them on DVD or repeats on sky which I watch with my Grandad Stuart.
I would be very interested to know if you enjoyed working with Derek Fowlds, Jeremy Brett, Andrew Sachs, Connie Booth, Prunella Scales, John Cleese, Michael Gwynn, Terence Conoley,Gwen Taylor, David Lonsdale, Mark Jordon, Sophie Ward, James Quinn, Tricia Penrose, John Duttine, Gabrielle Drake, William Simons, Peter Benson, Jason Durr, Susan Jameson, Geoffrey Hughes, Fiona Dolham, Michael Bilton, Edward Hardwicke, Denise Black, Frank Grimes, Jude Law and Michael Stone ?
I think the 60’s,70’s and 80’s were the best decades for sitcoms and drama’s.
You are a brilliant actor and I’d really appreciate it if you could please send me a personalised signed picture of yourself as I would love to add it to my autograph collection.
I won’t give my address out on this forum but if you do want it just email me and I will give it to you.
Thank you so much for reading my E-mail
Jakeh Bettney
I agree with Jakeh Bettney’s remarks. I too enjoyed Robin Ellis’ performance as the detective in Fawlty Towers. Also, in the first couple of episodes of The Guardians.
Robin, Sorry to contact you this way but I could find no other route.
The Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham is re-opening in September after a major restoration.There is be a day of celebrations on 2nd October to mark the re-opening, the theatre’s 120th anniversary and the launch of the book I have written on the theatre. I am organising a celebrity guest list for those have been involved with the theatre, particularly during the rep years. We would be very pleased if you could attend. If you are interested please contact me direct at michaelhasted@gmail.com or by phone on 01242 524804 or 07977 140307.
I hope you’ll be able to make it, very best wishes, Michael Hasted
Hi robin, Maurice here in glasgow,Looking forward to reading your new book,and maybe trying a few of the recipes out!..
Way back in the seventies,on a sunday night,Poldark was essential family veiwing,We lived in the far north highlands,i can tell you,the series,and you and your casts acting abilities,was a godsend!,in the long dark nights….superb.
Your acting career is something to be truly proud off!,thankyou.
ps forgive me,but im assuming you grow all your own veg?organic ?
regards Maurice Bain.
Hello Maurice–nice to hear we brightened your Sunday nights up there all those years ago.
We have tomatoes and courgettes but not enough room for much else–but the markets round us are full of good stuff especially at this time of year.
Good Morning, Robin!
Let me be one of the first to congratulate you on your Big Book Day! I must admit I only stumbled upon your website two days ago when I was perusing Poldark “fan-made” videos and some of your earlier movie clips on YouTube. (Now that rural New Hampshire FINALLY has high-speed Internet, I’m amazed at what one can find out there! I’m in Poldark Heaven! And I didn’t know Ralph Bates had done all those horror flicks!)
Anyway, someone on YouTube posted your website and said that you were publishing a cookbook for diabetics. I was surprised and concerned for your well-being, but after reading some of the info on your website, I was quickly relieved to hear that you seem to have everything well under control! And no meds?! Wow! Good for you for taking your health into your own hands!
Ironically, the same day I learned about your diabetes, my own husband got a bit of troubling news: the doctor called back saying that he has to lower his sodium intake. That was a bit of a surprise, because we rarely use salt on anything…but we do eat lots of food on the run & lots of prepared foods. I’m afraid I was never much of a cook–and as teachers, we’re often both too harried to take the time to eat right! (He’s also been on cholesterol meds for a year and a half.) But it looks like we’re starting down a new road…and I was wondering, if it’s not too personal, do you have to worry about salt and/or cholesterol, and how do you make accommodations for that?
Thanks in advance–
Cheers & hugs, Dianne
Hi Dianne–and thanks for your good wishes–it’s a little hard to believe the DAY has dawned!
“Prepared” foods may be the problem [hard to know how much salt they whack into them] and eating on the run.
I salt food with sea salt [Malden] and have not been advised that I need to watch it yet.
I take a pill for cholesterol.
I am just about to go for a walk–which I do 3 times a week.
Many of the recipes in the book are simple to do–but I understand how tricky it is when you are busy.
I can do simple–simple recipes, simple ingredients! When I get stuck, I usually call my sister. She was the one who watched Mom when she was making dinner!
We do try to walk most every evening; it’s easy now while we’re on school break, and very relaxing; but alas–summer’ll be over soon. It’s not too enticing to walk in the snow when the temps drop to the teens (Farenheit).
Thanks so much for writing back so soon–I was just about to go to bed! (It’s 1:30 AM here.) I can’t believe I’m conversing with my hero! Which reminds me: I’ll have to tell you in a future post about the movie magic that came to a little town called New Ipswich in the fall of ’78…Think it will give you a good laugh!
Nighty-night!
Dianne
Hi there, loved you in Poldark. I was just a kid at the time but its stayed with me all these years. You even signed a book for me thanks to my mum because I had a major crush on you. I plan to watch the whole thing again over the coming days/weeks. I’m sure it will bring back some happy childhood memories.
Samantha
Hope it stands the test, Samantha!
Dear Mr. Ellis,
Found in a publication put out by a large retail pharmacy: http://www.dogs4diabetics.com – These are service dogs trained to detect blood sugar levels in their owners; they respond with help according to the need. It’s an informative site to check out!
I enjoy your site even though I am not diabetic. It is visually beautiful, bringing the sunshine of southern France indoors! Your recipes are easy (I finally found out what courgettes are — a.k.a. zucchini), and comments are fun to read. Peace and blessings to you!
Thanks Denise–we have six cats–not sure how they’d react to a dog however talented!!
I’ll check out the site though sounds extraordinary.
Glad you are enjoying the blog.
Dear Mr. Ellis,
You are most welcome! I hope you are able to access the site. We’ve had stories in the U.S. about cats in nursing homes who sit vigil at the beds of dying patients — not a happy thought, I know. However, if our feline friends can sense the approach of death, why not a change in blood sugar levels? Keep your eye on those cats!
Sincerely,
Denise Basile
You’re just flippin awesome and I can’t believe I finally get a chance to tell you that.
Maureen
Dear Sir Robin,
I just want to let you know that today my signed copy of Delicious Dishes for Diabetics arrived from Primerose Hill Books. I’ll treasure it and I’m looking forward to trying some recipes.I hope you will decide to promote your book here in Rome and to have the chance to meet you sooner or later.
Wishing you and your lovely wife all the best and sending a ray of sunshine from the Eternal City.
God bless you
Maria Grazia
Hallo Mr Ellis,
I’ts so nice to read the comments above from so many different people.
I am German, and I remember well when me and my sister were watching the Podark series in the 1980s Sunday nights on the local channel. We were mesmerized and and simply could not wait to see the next episode the following Sunday.
Last month my sister turned 50 and I gave her the Podark DVDs as a birthday present. Now we watch the Poldark series every Sunday night together, and once again we are mesmerized and we just can’t wait to see the next episode
the following Sunday. Thanks a thousand times for such a great piece of work to all of you, cast and crew. Hillarious!
My best wishes to France.
Barbara Zeller
Thanks for your good wishes and I’m glad you and your sister are still enjoying the show.
Hello Robin, firstly can I say how much I enjoyed Poldark , I watched it every Sunday night back in the 70s I now have the videos and the dvds, Whenever I get bored with the current tv programmes, which is often I watch Poldark.
I am really impressed with your receipes, my brother has type one diabetes . I have told him to look at your website. I read about the cats detecting high blood sugar levels, I have a daughter with Epilepsy and one of our little dogs becomes agitated then sits close to her and stares at her, this is a sure sign that she is going to have a fit, and they say animals are stupid, no way I live in rural Portugal and have integrated into the community ,did you have problems when you first moved to France:?
Greetings to Meredith, this time: Happy Thanksgiving to a fellow American!! I don’t know of any British equivalent, Robin, so you’ll have to enjoy the holiday second-hand. 🙂 I’ll be watching Macy’s parade to catch the huge balloons; have to brave the crowds one day to see it in person. Will turkey be on the menu for dinner–or a good vegetarian equivalent? Just don’t GOBBLE your food down…Hope you both have a great day!
Cheers & hugs!
Gosh, I just saw your Facebook comment after I posted & realized why you’re away from the computer. Very sorry for my silly comments at such a sad time. Will be thinking of you both.
Dianne
Dear Mr. Ellis,
Re: chicken broth– My mother always used to add extra onion, parsley, and celery to the broth as it cooked. When the soup was ready, she mashed the softened onion, celery, and parsley through a sieve until only the plant fibers were left and discarded. The pulp added a little body and color to the soup.
I haven’t tried adding ginger or bay leaf, but I will the next time I make it. It sounds delicious. Thanks for the recipe.
Hi Robin!
After enjoying the Poldark series for a second time, I wondered what you were up to and found your website. What a joy to find your passion for healthy cooking on the first day of 2012. What a great way to start the New Year. I’m looking forward to buying your cookbook. I just recently bought my first horse after a 17-year gap at age 61. More horse than I regionally planned so I need to have the energy to keep up with him. Thank you. Sincerely – Nancy Clark
Thanks, Nancy–good luck with your horse–you are braver than me!
Dear Robin,
I’m watching the Poldark 2 after so many years and (me too) I found this very nice site by googling your name. I entered your blog by talking about little Beau…how funny to start a chat about cats with you!
I never forgot the series Poldark and especially you and Demelza and Jud,Prudie and.. Verity, she is so sweet. I watched it at home with my mum at the early eighties at the Dutch television and now with my own daughters and husband, so nice.
I have two questions for you, eh ..I hope Meredith don’t mind?
First one: Did you ever fall in love while playing Ross with one of the actresses?O.k it’s acting but…
Second question: Would you like to be Captain Poldark in real life… living on Nampara? you are allowed to change Demelza for Meredith?
Looking forward for the answers.
Best wishes from Caroline P.(no …not Caroline Pevenen).
Thanks, Caroline.
The answers are “no” to each question.
!8th century Cornwall would have been a tough call even for minor gentry–and Prudie’s cooking every day?!
Good answers Robin! Reminds me of a film I saw recently where the main character had to decide to remain in the 1890s or return to 2010. Ultimately he decided to return to 2010 because “I have a dentist appointment next week and they haven’t invented anesthesia yet.” Good thinking!
Dear Ross..oops Mr Robin Ellis, when I mentioned last November to a young friend that the Poldark novels and the PBS series was an all time favorite, I did not know it would lead to both Series 1 & 2 being my premier gifts for Christmas 2011. And after watching Series 2 Disc 3 today, I came online to find your .net site on of all days, your 70th birthday! My best wishes for continued wonderful days of good health & happiness. You could wish to reach a 98th birthday like Aunt Agatha P. In April 2011 my A1C was at 6.1. Introducing serious strength training and amending my diet helped to reduce that # to 5.8 in Nov’11. I will seek out your book give me more healthy dishes. Thank you for your shared talent on the screen & in the kitchen. A lifelong friend in Washington state, Christina K
Hi
I was wondering where you had ‘disappeared to’? and here you are.
Many happy returns for your birthday.
Was ‘down your way in October’. Not France but Godolphin House. We use a caravan site just up the road from the Godolphin Arms for a weeks holiday.
I still read the Poldark novels every now and then and still get a lot of pleasure from them, even though there is no surprise with what is hapening any more. Our favourite drive when in Cornwall is out from St Ives and along the coast road to Sennen.
Regards
Kim
Dear Robin,
Last night I watched Poldark 2 part 8 and loved to see dear Osborn finds out that Morwena’s sister wasn’t pregnant at all, saw his face… all the money for nothing!
Like to ask you something about your role…do you have things in common,in your character, which are like Ross? Perhaps Meredith knows?
Love from Caroline P.
Certainly a question for M–I couldn’t possibly comment!
I tried to order a signed copy of your book from Primrose Books. I put your name in the search engine, but said zero results. I’d love a SIGNED copy!
Primrose Hill Books did have some signed copies but they may have run out by now.
Downsides to being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in one’s Fifties: fingersticks, medicines, dietary upheaval, constant carb counting, fear of complications, etc. Upside: discovering that one of one’s favorite actors, Robin Ellis, has ‘been there and done that’ with grace, creativity, and joie de vivre, and is generous enough to share his experience and humanity with all of us.
Bravo on your boffo second act, Robin!
Thanks Nina–boffo is good!!
Querido Ross…
Lo siento siempre quise decirle eso, no sabe usted el gusto y la emoción que siento de poder escribirle estas líneas, mi primer amor fue usted la primera vez que ví la serie me dije si algún día me caso ha de ser con el capitán Poldark, ese papel fue escrito para usted?. Cuando leía los libros mis amigos no podían creerlo ya que en vez de jugar en el recreo me ponía a leer. He de decirle que nací en 1968 y cuando le ví por primera vez fue en 1980, así que cuando empecé a ser su fan era todavía una niña, que esperaba ansiosa la noche para verlo por el canal 8, en compañia de mi hermana menor y de mi abuelita Doña Elena, juntas nos emocionábamos tanto, usted marcó de manera definitiva mi niñez, muchas gracias por eso.Creo que es fantástico un actor tan natural y auténtico que como ningún otro me hace disfrutar cada escena, ahora que por fín pude conseguir la serie lo estoy disfrutando tanto como cuando era niña y además me trae hermosos recuerdos. Es una pena que las demás series en las que particípó no sean conocidas acá, le escribo de la Ciudad de México, pero trataré de conseguirlas.
Mi padre padece diabetes y ahora que sé de su libro le pregunto lo puedo conseguir en español? Me gustaría aprender a cocinarle recetas que le ayuden y por supuesto platicarle que son de mi ídolo de juventud.
Este mensaje se lo envío desde el fondo de mi corazón con mi deseo sincero de que disfrute de buena salud y mucha felicidad junto con su esposa. No sé si sea católico o creyente, pero con todo respeto y afecto le deseo como decimos acá “Que Dios y la Virgen de Guadalupe lo bendigan!”
Dear Lorena,
Thank you for your lovely comment–non hablo Espagnole! but I put your message in google translate and that helped!
The book is not translated into Spanish yet–one day perhaps.
Many of the recipes are simple and perhaps if you used google too it would be possible to follow them.
I hope your father is taking care of himself–eating well and exercising if he is able.
I send very best wishes to you in Mexico!
Robin/Ross!!
In your interview with Angela Dawson, ‘Robin Ellis Recalls ‘Poldark’, you mentioned you would be promoting your book in New York. Are you planning a book signing or any type of public appearance? My son lives there, and I would love to plan a trip during your promotional tour.
Deborah
In your interview with Angela Dawson, ‘Robin Ellis Recalls ‘Poldark’, you mentioned you would be promoting your book in New York. Are you planning a book signing or any type of public appearance? My son lives there, and I would love to plan a trip during your promotional tour.
Deborah
Meant to check box on replies…
We are trying to find suitable location for a signing, Deborah. We’ll post it if and when we find somewhere…
Wonderful! I do admire your work! Wishing you a successful and fun promotional tour….and hope to see you in New York!
I look forward to it, and hope it’s not as cold as here!
Hello Robin,
I just discovered the “Poldark” series (I was attending college night classes at the time it was first run in the US and was unable to watch it), and my sister and I are thoroughly enjoying the episodes. We have trouble turning off the DVD player because we want to see what happens next!
I also wanted to share that I also am a type 2 diabetic, and have been for 15 years. I regret that I have not been very successful in managing mine as you have been, though I keep trying with the help of my very supportive sister. I am awaiting the delivery of my copy of “Delicious Dishes for Diabetics” that I ordered on Amazon. My sister is especially excited about the cookbook as Mediterranean food is a passion of hers. We live very near Larchmont and Chevalliers Books in Los Angeles, and look forward to meeting you at the book signing on March 17th. Continued success in all of your ventures!
Jacqueline Clark
Good news Jacqueline! I hope the book makes you want to try some of the recipes and your sister too, of course.
It is so good to hear that the stories still grip. I have always said the power of Winston Graham’s storytelling is key to the success of the programme. Page turning and now DVD’s keeping people up at night!
See you in LA!
Dear Robin,
I just read the news about the delayed signing event this morning at Primrose.
I’m a bit worried because I ordered a copy at them and send them a mail to them – which you could read there -and sign my copy. Would you ask “the bookshopkeeper for my mail? I hope it wil all turned out well!
love Caroline
I’m not sure I signed for you Caroline–I will call in to the shop tomorrow to check and sign for you if not.
Just received my signed copy! Thank you very very much! it looks wonderful! My daughter promised me to choose a recipe and cook for us tonight.
HI Robin,
I hope your signed books did not sell out. I just found out yesterday that a friend of mine who is leaving next month to be a missionary in El Salvador loved the Poldark series. She is a nutritionist and several years ago wrote a cook book. I emailed Primrose book store and ordered a copy today. I hope they still have some signed books left. I want to give it to her as a going away present.
I also ordered a signed copy for myself last week.
Ann de Saram
I signed your copy Ann.
If you tell me your friend’s name I’ll add it to one of the signed copies I left, tomorrow morning.
Thank you soooo much!!
Her name is Barbara Rowe. She is an incredible person and friend. She was a missionary for 10 years in El Salvador during the time of the civil war. She has decided to go back because she will be working with a church there to create youth centers that will focus on keeping the young out of the gangs in the inner cities.
She will be thrilled to get the book! I showed her your web site yesterday.
Ann
Dear Mr. Ellis: Netflix is streaming your series “Poldark” and I am currently watching 3 episodes a day. I first saw it on “Masterpiece Theatre” and was gobsmacked by your performance and that of the beautiful Angharad Rees. I also loved your performance in “Elizabeth R.” As a young girl, I clipped your photo shoot from People Magazine and kept it for years!
I’m so glad I found this blog. And as a cook and the wife of a diabetic II husband, I am now going to Amazon to order your book. Keep well! Maire.
Hi robin
Back in1974/5 my mother worked in a garage as a pump attendant.
She served your aunt on a fewoccasions, my mother told her how much I liked watching I
poldark especially you. I was about 14.
Your aunt tried to arrange for us to meet but you went to USA for filming but i got a signed photo of you which I still have.
I am still a fan of yours in my 50’s now.
I have diabetes type 1 and. Am going to look out for your book. Keep up the good work.
Kim
Hello Kim!
Aunt Mary died three years ago–in her nineties. My mother had type 1 diabetes. That experience helped me take my diagnosis of type 2 seriously. I hope you are well.
Dear Robin
What adorable kitty cats you have there. I have 4 myself and I can tell that yours are much loved and I am sure they also enjoy sharing those recipes which look delicious…
Have you created a special favorite recipe for cats I wonder?
I first watched Poldark when I was a child and have been much moved seeing the series again after so long. Thank you so much for sharing your life and times through your website, I was most thrilled to discover it and find so much of interest to read.
Heather at Dawnmist
Your cats look dear, Heather. Our cats favorite food is called “more of the same please”!
Dear Robin
I was So thrilled to get a reply from you, it gave me such a Boost!
As a ceramic artist I want to ask – I am a bit shy – would you be willing to let me send you a small gift of my special craft?
I would be so pleased if I could, and to hear that you got it. Perhaps you have a PO Box or agent address I can send it to.
My very best wishes to you there always.
Heather in Devon, England
Hello Robin! Just a quick word from a middle-aged American man just discovering Poldark…. My wife laughs at me and says its just a soap opera, but I find it absolutely engaging nonetheless! Ross kicks ass and I’m in love with Demelza. Anyways just thought you might enjoy hearing about some ripples you created on the other side of the pond. Good luck in all your ventures and best wishes!
Hello Robin,
Just found you on here, and wanted to tell you my family and I in Jersey (CI) never missed an episode of Poldark in the ’70’s – at 14, I found it enthralling! My “Poldark” claim to fame (for want of a better description) was my English lesson at school one day, where I decided to read my Shakespeare part in a really exaggerated Cornish accent….Everyone knew why I was doing it, and the class was in uproar; needless to say, our teacher stormed out, calling us all babies!….I thought I’d been quite creative!
Anyway… just recently, I found the series again and watched each one, savouring every moment and enjoying all the memories; it was a shame to reach the last episode….Also, I just read that Angharad Rees (Demelza) has passed away, and thought how sad that was, and how she was just too young.
Thanks so much for your contributions to TV,
and best wishes,
Philippa. 🙂
(a fellow cat lover – I have a fluffy, Siamese mix, and love the photos you posted of your cats!)
Saddened to hear of death of AR this week, less than a year after RM passed away. I’ve loved the Poldark novels and read and reread them for 35 years – they’re wonderful stories with very ‘complete’ characters. But I wouldn’t have loved the books so much if it hadn’t been for the TV series.
You seemed to have been born specially to play Captain Poldark, and the same could be said of AR as Demelza, JT as Elizabeth and RM as the first doctor Enys (how lucky that they found a fine replacement for series 2). It was the cast that made it unforgettable.
I always picture you all and hear your voices when I reread the books.
Hopefully I’ll never get shipwrecked on a desert island, but if I do the Poldark Novels are definitely the books I’ll take with me, along with the obligatory Bible and Shakespeare.
Mia
I also am very saddened to hear of the death of Angharad Rees. 63 is far too young. What a loss to acting and to life. As Demelza in Poldark she glowed, and the vibrant and engaging relationship between her and Robin as Ross is a joy to see. It must be a great sadness to Robin and my commiserations go him. Angharad/Demelza left a fine legacy which is the most that any of use can hope to do. Mark Evans.
Hello Robin
I have found a photograph which you might like to add to your Pix pages. It shows yourself at the RSC’s Actors’ Reception in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1976, and was taken by Joe Cocks, one of the RSC’s commissioned photograhers. I am an Archivist at the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon, and one of the collectons I look after is the RSC Archive, which includes prompt books, programmes, reviews and over half a million photographs of productions in Stratford dating back to the 1870s.
I wasn’t old enought to travel down from Chester to see you at Stratford during the 1976 season when youn played Ednund in King Lear, Don Pedro in Much Ado About Nothing with Judi Dench and Donald Sinden as Beatrice and Benedick, Dr Pinch in Trevor Nunn’s wonderful musical version of The Comedy of Errors, and Achilles in Trolius and Cressida. However, I have enjoyed looking at the photographs for these productions. It’s a fantastic achive and was designated an outstanding collection by the MLA in 2005.
I met Jonathan Newth a couple of years ago when he donated a number of beautifully painted and frarmed costune designs. I mentioned that I remembered seeing him in Poldark and he said I didn’t look old enough to have watched Poldark!.I assured him I was glued to the TV on Sunday evenings as there were no video recorders or i-Player in those days!
I would be happy to send the hi res scan of this photograph as an email attachment if you wolud like it. If you and Meredith are ever in Stratford, it would be lovely to show you some of the treasures from our amazing archive of theatrical history.
Best wishes,
Helen Hargest
Hi, Robin!
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but I recently rediscovered Poldark, which my family and I greatly enjoyed in the ’70s, on Netflix. I watched the entire series again, as a distraction in the sad days after my beloved cat died earlier this year. This prompted me to find out what you were up to now, and that led to your blog, which has been such a delight. I’ve enjoyed many of your recipes, and your witty, articulate commentary combined with Meredith’s stunning photos have given me many a mini-vacation. Thank you both so much!
I also realized that you starred in The Europeans, much of which was filmed in Salem, where I now reside. I live right across the street from your character’s
“back yard,” the Ropes Mansion gardens! I thought you might like to see what they look like during a more florificent time of the year. If these links work, the first one is the arch near which you bid Lee Remick’s character a rather anti-climactic farewell, and the second is the pond, with hydrangeas in the foreground and water lilies in the center.
/Users/lscv/Desktop/IMG_0553.jpeg
/Users/lscv/Desktop/IMG_0093.jpeg
If these links don’t work and there is a better way to send them, please let me know.
Finally, may I ask a favor of you? I belong to a Farmer’s Direct Coop (Community Supported Agriculture group), which has a volunteer service requirement. In fulfillment of this, I would like to write an article for their newsletter recommending your blog. Your local produce seems to be very similar to what our farmers are growing, but about a week ahead, and your recipes have provided very timely and tasty suggestions for what to make with our weekly haul. Would it be agreeable to you if I gave your site a glowing review in our little publication?
I’d be delighted, of course! and thank you.
BTW the links to the photos sadly don’t seem to work for me…
I’m sorry about that. The gardens are really quite lovely. If I can find someone more technologically proficient (which really should not be difficult!) I will try to create a working link for you.
Dear Mr. Ellis,
First, happy anniversary! Many more happy healthy years to you and your beautiful wife. Cent ‘anni!
Second, I wanted to try your recent eggplant recipe but had no tomatoes on hand, niether fresh, nor canned, nor in a jar! However, I did have freshly roasted red peppers. I pureed three large peppers in my food processor and then added about a tablespoon of chopped fresh basil. That amount of puree was enough to cover the slices from a small-medium eggplant. The roasted pepper on the eggplant was a delicious combination! I’m sure it is the kind of recipe that can have many variations.
Finally, thanks for sharing your recipes and your lifestyle. Your insight is helpful AND entertaining.
Sincerely,
Denise Basile
Thanks Denise.
Good idea and sounds delicious–I shall try it.
Necessity is the mother of invention!
Happy Anniversary!
I bought your cookbook and have loved everything I’ve tried. Now I’m buying another copy for a diabetic friend.
Morag McKendrick Pippin
Hello Robin!
I am new to your blog and absolutely love it. My husband and I watched Poldark in the 70’s (I had a huge crush on you, of course) and we recently watched the complete series on DVD and enjoyed it tremendously.
I have a question: I have a memory of you singing and dancing in a televised version of one of my favorite musicals, “She Loves Me” (it must have been in the 80’s). Is my memory correct OR was I dreaming this??
Sincerely,
Judi P.
Welcome and thank you.
You are right about She Loves Me–amazes me to think I did it! Lovely musical which suited the intimacy of TV.
Hello Robin,
I recently bought the dvd film “The Curse of King Tutankamen’s Tomb” which you starred in as Howard Carter. As with the Poldark Series this film is now one of my favorite to watch over and over again. You both did so well in this film.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Angharad, she was also in the same film.
Kindest regards
Heather
Dear Robin, I wonder what it must be like for new people to discover Poldark and you after so many years. Sometimes when I am impressed with an actor I go to the web to find out about that person’s other projects. That’s how I found this blog.
When I was younger and able to travel I went to England a few times to visit my father’s family. I was disappointed to have to skip Cornwall but now I see all the mishaps the Captain and his friends had to endure I guess I was safer in Dorset with my great uncle.
I’m pleased to discover your interesting recipes because I am on a diet similar to the ones a diabetic should follow. You are doing good work introducing your fans to new ways to eat a healthy diet.
Your acting talent was evident in Poldark and you have an impressive voice. I’m going to go back to Elizabeth R and Faulty Towers to find you again.
Regards, Gail Lord in USA
Thanks Gail–Dorset has it’s dangers no doubt!
I was extremely pleased to find this website. I want to to thank you for ones time due to
this fantastic read!! I definitely appreciated every bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new things on your blog.
Hello Robin,
My favorite Christmas gift was the 12 books of Poldark. The books were from numerous book stores, even from England. I decided not to start with book 8 and continue with the story from the series, but to start with the first one and read the story from the beginning. I will treasure these books and their place on the shelf in my library. I discover the series on Netflix while recovering from surgery in September. The series helped me pass alot of time while recovering. Thank you for many pleasurable hours. Also I am enjoying your blog on food. I have a 16yrs old grandson with Juvenile Diabetes (at age 13Yrs). It has been a learning experience for us with food. I have made many references to your cooking to prepare food for him.
Happy New Year and Many Healthy years to come.
Regards, Kathleen H (south Florida)
Thanks, Kathleen–I’m glad you are enjoying the books/series. Winston was a great storyteller–we were lucky.
Diabetes for youngsters is so hard. There is a book by Sam Talbot a young chef with type 1 diabetes called The Sweet Life which is excellent and fun. He includes his lifestyle too. Recommended.
Hi Robin,
I have recently rediscovered the Poldark TV series (now on DVD) after being an avid fan (along with my Mother) of the series and yourself in the 70’s. Now that I am 50 and my Mother is in her mid 70’s we are really enjoying the series again and amazed at still how fresh and well made it was all those years ago.
You will have to come to Australia for a book signing soon!
My Husband remembers the series and that his Mother was also a fan (I think you have more women fans than men sorry Robin).
Thankyou for your wonderful work on Poldark.
Glenda
Thanks Glenda–and welcome. I have a yen to take a trip down-under; when though!
Will definitely have to take a ‘sickie’ from work if you ever make it here to Aus. Wouldn’t want to miss that. And please, please venture beyond the big smoke cities if you do make it over. We rural folk often miss out on such visits. 🙂
Dear Robin, a few weeks ago browsing Amazon I remarked the possibility to get the “Poldark”-DVDs and got them straight. You know, I grew up in Romania and by then, in the 70ies, that series was the highlight of our week, we had one single programme on TV and Tuesday at 8 pm the streets were empty, everybody watched Poldark in original language with subtitles. We loved it!! Now, a few years later and residing in Germany, I re-watch the series and love it again – can you actually still hear this? British English gives me sometimes a hard time, I’m more used with American English, but it makes again my day. Unfortunately, only one more series to go…
You look still great after these few years.
Had a peek in your recipes, luckily I am not into diabetes, but they sound very tasty and gave me new ideas, which I’ll try, the beans-lentils-squash compositions. And yes, in Germany it says also kidney beans on the cans, although we have enough vocabulary to name it in German.
Do you have any ties to Germany (not to talk about Romania), fans or so? Since you reside in France and your wife is American, you probably are slightly cosmopolit, aren’t you.
Well, let me go and watch my last Poldark-series and wish you and your enlarged family (the animaly) a lovely Valentine.
Marianne
Thanks Marianne and welcome!
My ties to Germany are tenuous though I have been there many times.
I didn’t know Poldark was so popular in Romania.
I have something in common with the following…
We watched a movie last night called Searching for the Sugarman about an American/Mexican singer called Rodriguez who was thought to have a huge future but for whom for whatever reason it didn’t happen in the Seventies.
A bootleg copy of one of the two discs he recorded found its way to apartheid bound South Africa. Amazingly by word of mouth Rodriguez became an iconic figure for liberal whites there at a difficult time for them. He remained a mysterious figure to them, however, because of his failure in the States–there was no info available.
The film follows the story of the search for an answer.
He knew nothing of this extraordinary fame!
Wonderful and moving film–hope it wins the Oscar for best Documentary.
You see, we live in a small world, coincidences occur sometimes – Rodriguez went South Afrika, Poldark Romania… Both figures enlightened spirits in a dark world at the time, communist Romania did not have much fun to spread to its people as did Apartheid RSA. Not many people can say that about themselves, you can be proud…
Hi Robin! I am almost through ‘Poldark’. I remember my parents watching it in the 70’s, but I hadn’t realized just how good it was and how honorable and heroic the character of Poldark was.
I’m inspired now to go out and find the books.
You are just as good-looking today as you were then!
All the best,
TDR
Baltimore, MD
Thanks Tanya–too kind! Hope you find the books.
The sad news of the death of Richard Griffiths turned me back to old RSC programmes of 1976-1977. There seem to be some rehearsal pictures of you!. I expect you have them, but I could scan them for you (?).
There are also some interesting photos from that season on the RSC website…
You probably have all these, but just in case…
Thank you again for an interesting and very useful blog. I hope you and Meredith have a very happy Easter season!
Thanks for the photos–brings back happy memories.
Sad too–R Griffiths is in the uniform behind my left shoulder.
Hello Robin
I am newly diagnosed with Type 2 and am finding it very hard to accept. I worry most about sight loss. Do you have any monitoring of your eyesight to check for damage?
I am also a cat fanatic!
Susan
I have an annual eye test and so far so good. Maire’s advice is good–though I don’t want to be telling you what to eat; rather telling how I eat. It is a shock to be diagnosed but in the end I have found it positive–in terms of looking after and understanding more about my health as I get older.
Susan: my husband has type 2 and is doing very well. Try not to worry any more about your eyesight than any one else does. That doesn’t mean ignore your fears, just get your checkups, eat what Robin tells you to eat, and take your medication. It was a shock to us too, but we’ve been going strong for many years now. Regards, Maire.
Thank you so much Robin and Maire – I keep reading on the Internet that virtually all Type 2’s have some degree of retinopathy at the time they are diagnosed. Did either of you have any damage when diagnosed, if you don’t mind my asking?
My uncle has had Type 2 now for 20+ years. He told me he has never had any retinal scans, just ordinary eye tests. He was also careless about his diet and ate lots of carbs. He had to have an operation for bowel cancer two years ago and was assessed to see if he was strong enough and he had no kidney disease, heart trouble or any of the things diabetics are told to be worried about!
Susan
It was my husband who was diagnosed with Type 2 (runs in the family, I’m afraid). One of the reasons he went to the doctor in the first place was that his vision seemed to be changing – a TINY bit – for the worse. Once he was diagnosed and placed on meds and got his appetite under control, he has had no other problems with his sight. His vision seems fine now although he has always been nearsighted. I’m certainly not trying to minimize diabetes but people do learn to live with it and manage it. It’s that horrible, initial shock that makes it seem like the end of the world. Maire.
Thank you Maire. I’ve been reading scary stories on the Web that everyone gets retinopathy which steadily gets worse!
Unfortunately, the World Wide Web is the perfect home for hypochondriacs, lol. My mother – a confirmed hypochondriac but does not have a computer – reads the Merck Manual as if it was the Bible. So it’s no surprise that you are reading all these gloomy reports. Take care!
Dear Mr. Ellis,
First, I must say that “Poldark” has had a profound influence on our family since we first saw it in the 70s. Because of our interest and affection for it, we finally visited Cornwall in 1994, and there met a young man whom we introduced to our younger daughter. They were married two years later and settled in Cornwall. Sadly, we lost our darling son-in-law to cancer three years ago, but our daughter later met a Cornish widower–a wonderful man–and they will be married in Cornwall this summer, with all of our families in attendance.
My husband has been a Type II diabetic for 29 years. He was diagnosed at age 41–it runs very strongly in his family, as does an ongoing struggle with weight. Seven years ago he had a 5-way coronary bypass, and he has neuropathy in his feet. His eyes have remained in good shape because he takes very good care of his blood sugar, and for that we’re very thankful. After reading all of your wonderful recipes, we are going to adopt your Mediterranean diet. We have no doubt that it will result in better control and less insulin, as well as weight loss.
Thank you so much for the recipes, and especially for the encouragement you give to those coping with Type II diabetes. And thank you for the happiness that “Poldark” continues to bring us (we have the entire series of programs, and love to watch them).
With best wishes to you and your family and colleagues,
PM
New Hampshire, USA
What a story Pamela! Congratulations to your daughter–that’ll be some event this summer.
Your husband and I are more or less of an age. You and he set a great example. Good luck with the med way of eating–meredith and I eat very well this way!
Thanks!
PM
Dear Robin,
It’s just amazing how a TV program in the 70’s has become so strong as an ongoing experience. I grew up on a farm in Australia and so many of the stories, comings and goings from the Poldark series that was set in a rural setting in England were similar to things that happened on the farm in the 70’s despite the two centuries in time difference. We’d come in off the hills and plains from the farm at night, turn on the TV and be totally spoilt by Poldark.
The strength of character and handsome good looks portrayed by Ross (you!) in Poldark stayed with me for years. No surprises there.
The biggest surprise came when I found my own sweet Mr Ross, literally (!) who is divine and every bit the gorgeous Poldark ‘Ross’ I carried in my mind and so admired as a young girl. He also grew up on a farm!
I am looking forward to catching up with the memories in the Poldark book. We enjoy watching and have a laugh when we see Poldark now. Truth is, we have a glass of wine and hugely enjoy Poldark and its gorgeous setting and my partner actually says “I don’t look that good!” My ‘Ross’ is close but there can only ever be one Ross Poldark .
Thank you for your kindness in sharing your life with us into the 21st century. It’s a great gift.
Renae Elrington
Thanks and I raise a glass of red to you, Renae and “hats off” to your “Ross” too!
Dear Mr. Ellis,
Re: your zucchini and bean stew: Have you ever tried it with an egg scrambled into the mix as you cook it, minus the beans? It makes a tasty side dish. (I’m not sure how beans would go with the egg . . . )
Thanks for the wonderful and easy recipes!
Sincerely,
Denise Basile
Good idea–I’ll try it, but I might leave the beans in!
Hello Robin
I came across your book while searching for books for someone else in our library. How serendipitous! I love the ideas in there, especially for lunches without bread (I bought some gram flour today to make the pancakes). I don’t have diabetes but feel inspired by your recipes, especially as we’re picking loads of broad beans at the moment and had never thought of having them for lunch before. I shall get my own copy asap.
I hope you don’t mind me mentioning that I was also in love with you when I was 18 and watching Poldark …how many of us are there out there I wonder? I still feel warm and fuzzy when I think about it. Good memories never disappear do they?
Congratulations and thank you for a wonderful book.
Thanks Zoe. It’s encouraging to hear you found it in the Library. Come to think about it –it’s encouraging to know you HAVE a local Library!
Dear Mr. Ellis,
First of all, I find it wonderful that younger fans are discovering the Poldark
series. Of course, that leaves me contemplating the years that have passed
since we last enjoyed it! Certainly, I will be sure to rent it again, and enjoy
it as much as before. As for your new venture into diabetic cookbooks, I
myself have not dealt with this medical issue, but have a number of friends
who are struggling with it. They have expressed interest, and are following
your posts.
Happy Birthday a bit early!
Best of luck, and wish you well
Thanks Karen! Bit early for Birthday greetings, but thanks anyway!
“A Very Merry Un-Birthday To You!” – Lewis Carroll. 🙂
These days “un-birthdays” are more welcome!
Hi Robin!
My passion for cooking (and Poldark, which we have just watched again after 30 years!) led me to your website. I’ve ordered your cookbook and can’t wait to try so many delicious and healthy recipes. Thank you for instilling so much inspiration in people to eat well and enjoy preparing their food. Would love to be a Braveheart – it’s on my bucket list! 70th birthday in 3 years, so hope you’re still offering classes then!
Best from Virginia,
Bonnie O’Leary
Thanks Bonnie and welcome–hope to see you in Lautrec one of these days!
Hi Robin,
I was only a young boy when Poldark first aired here in Australia so I have no memory of seeing it back then, but my mum did, and loved it. Two years ago she bought the series on DVD and ever since then we have, about once every six months, started watching two or three episodes every night until George yells “Agatha Poldark, may you rot in hell!”, and then it’s all over, sadly, for another six months. We are always thrilled to see the show, especially the dynamic between Ross and George. Could two other men hate each other as much? I doubt it.
I’m pleased to have found your website and hope you are happy and well.
Take care and best wishes 🙂
Thanks Luke and welcome–happy you have discovered the web site and Poldark again.
Ralph Bates (George Warleggan) was a lovely guy and a friend until he died over twenty years ago, decades too early.
He saw me pacing the corridor before a recording once and tapped me on the shoulder and said with a smile–“It’s only a play you know!”. A formidable foe and a great friend.
Mr. Ellis: I’m very old school; I first watched Poldark on Masterpiece Theater when it first aired. I even go back to Upstairs/Downstairs, Six Wives of Henry The Eighth, etc. I cannot begin to wish you and the original cast many thanks for bringing these characters to life so vividly and realistically. I used to own the original books also. Which are sadly out of print now. I am so happy to now own copies of both series, Poldark I and II. My family & I + my husband enjoy them so much. Regards/ Mrs. Stephanie Conatser.
Thanks, Stephanie for those kind words. I’m glad the series still hold up and that you and your husband and family enjoy it all.
I think the books are still in print you know. Winston wrote number 12 aged 92! He was a remarkable force. best wishes, Robin.
Hello Robin,
Your recipes sound wonderful…I’m half Cornish, half Italian…cook from both sides…I have my grandmother’s wonderful biscotti recipe; would you like to give it a try?
Your Grandmother’s recipe sounds great–thanks.
Baked Italian Eggplant
Ingredients
1 Large eggplant cut evenly into 1/4 inch slices
Sea Salt or regular salt according to taste
Extra virgin olive oil
2-3 cups cooked tomato sauce made with crushed ripe tomato (plum variety) seasoned with onion and herbs: basil, parsley, oregano and black pepper
1 ½ cup Peccorino Romano cheese (grated)
Assembly & Baking Instructions
Peel the eggplant and slice into 1/4 slices. Sprinkle all slices lightly with salt and then let stand for 30 to 40 minutes to draw out the water. Squeeze out remaining water if necessary, and pat dry with a towel.
Using a flat cooking sheet, assemble the slices and spread out in rows. Brush lightly with virgin olive oil. Place under the broiler several minutes until the slices are slightly browned.
Take one cup of the tomato sauce and spread it evenly on the bottom of a 2-3 inch depth oven-proof casserole dish of medium size. Place a layer of eggplant over the sauce and sprinkle with coarsely grated cheese. Layer again and finish with sauce and more Romano cheese.
Bake in a 350 moderately hot oven until the eggplant is fork tender, about 40 minutes.
If desired, serve with Basmati rice, black and green olives and arugula / cucumber salad.
Add cooked, diced ham or poultry to the salad if meat is desired.
Stephanie Hammonds
Boston, MA
From the recipes of my Italian mother, Elizabeth Rocca Welch
Thanks Stephanie–your mother’s recipe is a classic and something close appears in Delicious Dishes for Diabetics. It is a regular on the table here and we love it. I use Parmesan as pecorino is harder to get here. More recipes from Elizabeth Rocca Welch are welcome!
Thank you Robin! She would be happy to see her recipe on your site. My mom died in 2010 at the age of 99 years; her dietary secrets included olive oil, dandelion greens, sweet Italian peppers, limited salt & sugar, and when baking put everything through the sifter. 🙂 She grew all her vegetables and flowers.
Our family Biscotti recipe coming up next.
Hiy Robin.
I was so pleased to hear about the new remake of the Poldark series which I only learned about when I was asked by Mammouth Films to supply the clay pipes to be used in some of the shots. That was such a thrill for me, not only because I am a huge fan, and also supplying props for the new series, but because when I was a child in the 70’s it was you standing there in Poldark with those clay pipes that was part of the inspiration for me becoming a clay pipe maker. So in a way I just wanted to say a big thank you for that inspiration.
As soon as I can find your address I am going to send you a gift I made for you in honor of the original Ross Poldark 😉 Having a bit of trouble finding your address but I will get it sent to you soon.
Fondest regards
Heather at Dawnmist, Devonshire.
Lovely Heather–thanks.
Dear Robin:
Well, finally I have found a good reason for the Internet! I can “speak” to my all time favorite actor who won my heart many years ago as Ross Poldark. WOW! Can it be true?
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to just say that I am still a devoted fan! I have seen all your work as an actor (as available) and enjoyed all of it. But, for me, nothing comes even close to your role of Ross Poldark! (Sigh…)
I am watching the series for the umpteenth time as news of the new series has come out. I have the script memorized and am already on my second set. Oh, I know what some would say – “Get a life, lady!” (Possibly some truth to that)
It’s great to see that in spite of the years that have passed, you are still whopping good looking! Way to go, Robin! I knew it would be so! And you have made a name for yourself in the culinary world with terrific recipes and cook books. I will just have to make some of them. I hope you recommend accompanying wines. Now we are talking one of my favorite past times…
All I can say is:
Meredith, you must be a something’ very special to have captured OUR Ross Poldark! (I believe I saw the fateful interview on TV)
Thank you for enriching so many people’s lives and best wishes in all of your endeavors!
Theresa in Tampa, FL
Welcome Theresa and thanks for the v kind words!
You are right about Meredith!
Robin:
You made my day! Thanks!
I hope to join the cooking class someday also. I think that would be a fantastic experience…
Theresa
Hi, Robin! I taped all of Poldark when it first came out. Finally met my husband on a Greyhound bus going home for Christmas 1982, from San Francisco to Bakersfield, CA. He very much enjoyed the series as well. It seems to have something for everyone. Now I’m in South Lake Tahoe, volunteering in wildlife rehab and re-re-re-watching Poldark thanks to Netflix. I’m vegan now and have found Dr. D’Adamo’s blood type food lists most helpful. I’m an A. People just think I’m terribly picky, but at this age I don’t care what they think. Just now I googled your name, hoping you aren’t too old or fat — or dead! So nice to see you’rer alive and busy and well loved! And you are 4 days older than me! I’ll be watching your blog for new ways to do kale, pumpkin, romaine, oats . . . Thanks for all the pleasure your acting has given! Mimi Routh in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Welcome Mimi and thanks! Once spent a few days in lake Tahoe–lovely spot.
Thank you, kind sir, for your body of work both treading the boards and serving atop them.
May I ask…do you listen to music when you cook? and if so, what do you and your lovely wife choose?
Y’all are welcome for crabcakes and a sail in southern Maryland anytime!
Hello Lieutenant! Normally I cook in silence. Sometimes we will have Joni or other favorites. The other night the Grateful Dead were called up and nostalgicaly rendered Working Man’s Dead.
Hello Robin,
My name is Chris and I am commenting from British Corner Shop. We ship over 10,000 British food and drink products worldwide, is it possible to have you contact me: chris.fraser@britishcornershop.co.uk?
Regards
Chris
You’d be interested to know that most French supermarkets round our neck of the woods have “un coin britannique” ” with all the usual suspects.
Dear Robin
I found the Poldark CDs in the library and not realising there were 4 I’ve watched wall to wall Poldark upstairs all week, my husband watching the tour and squash downstairs. I was gutted returning them yesterday. I was 15 when I first watched them and I was straight into it again as if the intervening years never happened. The sets were simple with no music like today and for my money it just highlights the wonderful acting and charisma of the actors. I remember everything your voice and Demelza’s instantly recognisable. I love that your voice suits Ross’s strength. Also the natural attractiveness of the main characters is more believable and charming that the perfectness of actors today with didgital airbrushing. I see your faces when I read my beloved Poldark books which I’ve kept for 40 years. I must now get the box set and both your books.
My sister’s just bought a French farmhouse in southern France for retirement and ill take your cook book it’ll be perfect when I visit in August. It’s colder here in Northumberland but we have a rescue cat and feed the hedgehogs with cat food so I find your blog fantastic. I was so happy to find it after googling you. I think Poldark is the best BBC drama ever and I will watch the new one and hear your distinctive voice again but for me your Ross was just perfect. You look exactly the same and it’s funny not to see the scar. That’s how believable it was. Thank you for doing your delightful entertaining colourful blog. It adds to my life by making me smile. Best wishes to you and your wife and all the animals that share your life.
Thanks for this, Julia–much appreciated. I’m glad you enjoy the blog–I am a bit behind with it. On my way to Bristol to do my second scene in the remake. Bonnes vacances en France!
Thank you Robin I’m over the moon to get your reply. I hope doing the remake is a lot of fun. I’m amazed you find any time to blog, it has to go on hold when you’re busy enjoying life! Then you have interesting stories for next time. I’m sure The new Poldark will be a massive hit with the full BBC treatment of fabulous scenery and music. I am looking forward to it whilst having a place in my heart for the original. Best wishes and I shall enjoy France I’m sure thanks for your good wishes.
Hello Mr. Ellis,
I just finished watching the complete Poldark series and it was sensational! I watched it many years ago when it first appeared on tv and never forgot the intriguing story and many wonderful characters. You were perfect for the role of Captain Poldark! I can hardly wait to see the new Poldark series.
I see that you live in the Laurent area of France where the famous pink garlic grows. I grew my own garlic crop this year and made a nice salad and soup with the harvested scapes. I make my own pesto and have found that when I put the extra sauce into ice trays and freeze the cubes that they come in handy in the winter time just added to soups or melted into pasta sauces.
I am a Mediterranean “foodie” and looking forward to a trip to Sicily and Malta in ten days.
Best wishes to you and yours,
Barbara Boling
Oxford, Mississippi ,
Welcome, Barbara and I like the idea of the ice cubes.
Dearest Mr. Ellis,
It is with great pleasure I see you are alive and well, enjoying a second career as a chef! Long ago, my high school English teacher suggested my class watch “Poldark” on Masterpiece Theater–I remember thinking “what the hell is a Poldark?” My mother and I watched the original “Poldark” series together, we tried to never miss one! Being the days before VCRs were common, I actually taped the shows on audio cassette and listened to them over and over, replaying the scenes in my mind (I think I still have them somewhere). Of course, I have also enjoyed the books. We sure hope the BBC will make the new series available in America.
Cooking is not my forte, and I usually don’t enjoy it. I avoid cookbooks, as there always seems to be terms and/or ingredients I have never heard of or aren’t readily available here, hours of prep work, which makes cooking something different and tasty a real chore; your cookbook is next on my list of purchases (my diabetic niece will get one, too). I live in New Mexico, USA, and we eat very simply–thank God my man is not a picky eater!! As we age, we are trying to keep a better eye on what we eat (better late then never), trying to manage ridiculous food prices yet still enjoy what we make and not get bored with our meals; we both love to eat! Being a native of New Mexico I know it would take something catastrophic to keep me from eating New Mexican food, however we try to adapt it with healthier ingredient choices (NO lard, less cheese, no refried pinto beans or fried tortillas), not always successfully, but we keep trying! I don’t imagine there is much chile available in Europe…?
One question, is a guinea fowl the same as a rock cornish game hen? Could a rock cornish game hen replace a guinea fowl in your recipes?
Words fail to describe how happy I am to know you are in France, cooking up a storm and happily married. You are still devastatingly handsome and I will remain a fan forever. If you ever come to our beautiful high-desert, we’d be thrilled to eat with you and take you on a tour of the Land of Enchantment.
Wishing you a long life of good health, continued happiness, cooking and eating, I remain ever truly yours,
Mary Clement
Los Lunas, New Mexico, USA
Hi Mary–lovely comment–thanks.
They are not the same but the recipes for Guinea fowl work for chicken, so why don’t you try?
In the June 29th issue of People magazine (USA) there is review of the new Poldark, but with an error. It states that after the war, Captain Poldark comes back to Scotland. Since my dad grew up in Penryn, I am familiar with the fact that they have gone from one end of the UK to the other. 🙂
I wrote a note to the Editor tonight, and put in a plug for the first Poldark who will have an upcoming appearance. I saw part 1 Sunday night.Can’t wait to see your role.
Best Wishes,
Stephanie Welch
Thanks for doing that, Stephanie–silly “People”!
Hello Robin,
I’m wondering if you would be interested in seeing a recipe I found for you…I’ve been looking for something appropriate..w/o added / sugar/ salt / calories.
It’s Vegetarian Cashew Chili. Cool & rainy here in Boston, and could use some today.
🙂
Certainly.
Robin & Meredith! – well, it’s only been about 25 years, but here I am, Jamie du Pont. Tripped into your site with utter delight and amazement. You both look fantastic! I ran away to Connecticut 18 years ago (Salisbury, NorthWest corner) and have been doing audiobooks for the past four years, out of my home studio. Even have the #1 in Children’s Action & Adventure at Amazon! A ten book series of which I have recorded four so far. Would love to catch up. Big hugs to you both – Jamie
Hello Jamie, a surprise indeed. You are flourishing in Connecticut which is good to hear. So good these days that it’s possible to work from home as a voice-over. We are in rural France but far from cut offf. we get around and one day hope to do a bookshop signing up where you are. I have a new book coming out in March and as a rule we manage a trip to publicize.
We’ll let you know nearer the time. It’s a hot summer here and at the right time which is becoming less and less the norm.
Meredith is watering the garden before it gets too hot!
Hi Robin – I loved watching you in Poldark back in the 70s on Masterpiece Theater. I’d like to buy the DVDs but am confused. Were there 2 or 3 seasons (I believe in the UK the term is series) made? -Leslie
Just two seasons, Leslie.
Hello Robin,
I’m writing to you in a delicate moment of my life .. I just missed my beloved grandmother and .. of course we are all sad in my family especially my mom ..
Yesterday I met her .. and she pointed out to me that , in a dark time like this , I was not close to her
And..
Yeah. it’s right !
I do not know why but I .. I preferred to isolate and deal with my grief in solitude . .
Now..
Would you help me ?
This year she celebrates her 60′ birthday and..
Could you send me an autographed picture for Emanuela ( THAT’S IN LOVE WITH YOU! ) ?
Or .. I do not know, maybe you have a better idea!
Thank you so much for listening / patience and I hope you will help me soon.
Big kiss and .. compliments !
Lorena
Asti – Italy !
If you leave an address I will do my best. Sorry to hear about your grandmother–a hard time for you and your mother.\
Hi Robin! Thanks a lot for your answer! My email address is lorena_at@libero.it but if you want to send me something I could give you my work address.
Please send me a e-mail with your answer (or use Facebook > messenger)
Thanks for condolence too.. yes it’s a hard and sad time
Love
Lorena
Work address is good.
Hi Robin! Thanks a lot for your answer! My email address is lorena_at@libero.it but if you want to send me something I could give you my work address.
Please send me a e-mail with your answer (or use Facebook > messenger)
to avoid writing private things in a public blog.
Thank you so much
Love
Lorena
Wow!
what a thrill to read your answers ! !
I left you on messenger my work address so I’m sure to be there to receive what you’ll send !
I know you’ll make my mom happy ! thank you very much
Love
Lorena
Dear Robin,
I can’t wait any longer because my mother’s birthday is next. Would you please send me your autograph? Would you send me it before by mail and then by post? My mail address is: lorena_at@libero.it
Thanks a lot. Hugs. Lorena
Leave your address and we will send you an autograph, Lorena, when we return to France.
Ok Robin, thank you so much and I apologize for my insistence!
Hugs
Ok Robin, thank you so much and I apologize for my insistence!
Hugs Lorena
Lorena c/o F.lli GANCIA SPA
corso Libertà, 66
14053 Canelli – Asti – Italy
Please use my work address :
Lorena c/o F.lli GANCIA SPA
corso Libertà, 66
14053 Canelli – Asti – Italy
If you cane, please dedicate your autograph to my mom Emanuela.
Thanks a lot.
Lorena
Will do, Lorena.
Hello Robin, Best of luck with your US tour, and I certainly would like to hear all about it when you return. I haven’t forgotten about the Cashew Chili recipe; will be sending that soon….Have a wonderful trip,
Stephanie
Boston, MA
Dear Mr. Ellis,
Shalom, it’s wonderful to be able to get in touch with you, the one who played “the character Ross Poldark”. I have recently bought the complete series of Poldark movie and I truly enjoyed watching them. You played the part very well with Demelza. It’s a pity that there is no continuation of the series. I read the books too to keep up with the life of Ross and his family. You must be a good cook. 🙂
blessings to you and your family,
Rachel Lee
I have a TV drama script set in 13th century England. Would you and Meredith take a look?
Hi,
I have just discovered the original Poldark series on Acorn TV here in the US. I love it! I had heard of the new series but had never seen it or the 1970s one. I have not yet completed Season 1 but I have already decided that I will purchase the DVD set. I like it so much I am looking you up on the internet and finding your blog. I will now purchase your book about the making of the series and will certainly look into your cookbooks as both of my parents have Type II diabetes. I have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Do you think the food from your cookbooks will help me?
Well thank you again for such a memorable performance. I hope to see some of your other work as well now that I am aware of your talent. I will see what I can find on Amazon TV, etc.
The books are there to promote a healthy but tasty way of eating. They represent the way we eat here and we look forward to every meal!