The essential episodes of Poldark

Watch these 15 in order and you've got Poldark — each pick states its reason.

1. 01

   S01E01 · Pilot · March 8, 2015 · 1h

   Episode 17.7

   Drama set in 1780s Cornwall. Ross Poldark returns from the battlefield to find his father dead, the estate in ruins and his sweetheart Elizabeth engaged to his cousin.

2. 02

   S01E04 · Top rated · March 29, 2015 · 1h

   Episode 48.1

   News of Ross and Demelza's marriage spreads through the community, damaging Wheal Leisure's prospects. Demelza is filled with anxiety when Francis and Elizabeth invite the newlyweds to spend Christmas at Trenwith.

3. 03

   S01E07 · Season 1 peak · April 19, 2015 · 1h

   Episode 78.2

   Francis wrongly blames Ross for helping Verity elope with Andrew Blamey. Meanwhile, Mark suspects Dwight and Keren of having an affair, starting a chain of events which will have tragic consequences and threaten the safety of everyone at Nampara.

4. 04

   S02E05 · Season 2 peak · October 2, 2016 · 1h

   Episode 58.0

   An informant in the smuggling ring poses a serious threat to all, and George buys Ross's debt to finally crush him. Meanwhile, Caroline returns to Cornwall to make an announcement, but it is Elizabeth who reveals a great secret.

5. 05

   S03E06 · Top rated · July 16, 2017 · 1h

   Episode 68.2

   The Poldarks learn that their friend Dr Enys needs immediate care, suffering distress following his internment in France. In reaction to Ross' rescue of Hugh Armitage, George desperately needs to secure a connection to the nobility and so plans to force Morwenna's marriage to Osborne. Geoffrey Charles gives Drake his bible as a gift and naively reveals that Morwenna is to be wed. Drake confronts Morwenna and she agrees to marry him instead. Morwenna returns to Trenwith to tell George and Elizabeth that she will refuse Ossie's offer of marriage. Out of spite, George has Drake arrested for the theft of Geoffrey Charles' valuable bible, a crime for which Drake will hang.

6. 06

   S03E08 · Top rated · July 30, 2017 · 1h

   Episode 88.2

   Ross is adamant George will lose in the election and determines to get a headstone made for Agatha's grave, something Trenwith has neglected.George, meanwhile, questions Dwight over Valentine's legitimacy and - paranoid and jealous - shuts himself to Elizabeth, as Rowella begins to seduce Osborne Whitworth and Demelza receives tokens of Hugh's affection.Sam continues to pine after Emma, as Dwight instructs Osborne to forego intercourse with Morwenna and Cary informs Lord Falmouth that the Warleggans will be opposing Falmouth in the election.Ross returns from his mine to discover Hugh Armitage at Nampara with Demelza - and this time Hugh's attention does not go unnoticed...

7. 07

   S03E09 · Season 3 peak · August 6, 2017 · 1h

   Episode 98.5

   The Poldark family finds itself challenged on all fronts and threatened as never before.

8. 08

   S04E02 · Top rated · June 17, 2018 · 1h

   Episode 28.2

   The Poldarks determine to get their relationship back on track and the Enyses announce they're with child.Hugh's worsening health threatens his chance to stand in the election however, and the prospect of him remaining in Cornwall adds pressure to the Poldark's fragile marriage. At the Sawle Feast, Tom Harry challenges Sam to a wrestling match. When Emma offers herself as the prize, Sam accepts.To everyone's horror Hugh continues to worsen and remains unfit to stand in the election. Falmouth offers the candidacy to Ross but will he accept?

9. 09

   S04E03 · Season 4 peak · June 24, 2018 · 1h

   Episode 38.3

   Ross makes his maiden speech in parliament and finds himself a little notoriety in London where he also reunites with a now adolescent Geoffrey Charles. In Cornwall, Demelza contends with a failing mine and fixing Drake's broken heart. Dwight and Caroline welcome a baby daughter, Sarah, into the world but Dwight's happiness is short-lived as he makes a disturbing diagnosis. Ossie meanwhile tends to a dying parishioner, Nathaniel Pearce, who confesses to losing his clients' money on bad investments, money secured in Pascoe's bank. He takes the information to the Warleggans in the hope of selling the information. George hosts an extravagant party at Trenwith in the hope of buying his way back into Parliament via purchasing a borough. His new friend, the dangerous socialite Monk Adderley, makes the necessary introductions to set George on his way.

10. 10

    S04E05 · Top rated · July 8, 2018 · 1h

    Episode 58.3

    George increases the strain on the struggling poor, driving Ross to make a risky gambit. The adversity the Poldarks face, however, may not be confined to Cornwall alone.

11. 11

    S04E06 · Top rated · July 15, 2018 · 1h

    Episode 68.2

    After it is revealed that Nathaniel Pearce embezzled Pascoe's client's funds, the Warleggans take action. In London, Ross finds Geoffrey Charles led astray by Adderley. Sam convinces Drake to return from exile following his abandonment of Rosina and Morwenna's subsequent rejection, and Morwenna reveals some news. Meanwhile, Dwight helps in the development of Truro's infirmary.

12. 12

    S04E07 · Top rated · July 22, 2018 · 1h

    Episode 78.1

    The Poldarks, Enyses and Warleggans enjoy London's distractions. George dotes on Elizabeth, delighting at the prospect of an heir and announcing plans to host a charity ball, but their domestic bliss soon comes under threat. At the Warleggan ball Adderley takes a fancy to Demelza, betting George he'll cuckold Ross within a month, which gives rise to deadly complications.

13. 13

    S05E03 · Top rated · July 28, 2019 · 1h

    Episode 38.3

    Hanson's presence in Cornwall raises suspicions, and as Demelza wrestles with how best to equip the community to look after itself, Morwenna lends herself to the cause and finds new hope. Geoffrey Charles and Cecily's relationship continues to blossom. Meanwhile her father Ralph pursues an arrangement with George, but George's sanity continues to deteriorate and Cary struggles under mounting responsibilities.

14. 14

    S05E06 · Top rated · August 18, 2019 · 1h

    Episode 68.3

    Ross fights for Ned's life as Demelza uncovers betrayal and the young lovers take flight for a future together.

15. 15

    S05E08 · Series finale · August 26, 2019 · 1h

    Episode 88.6

    Several months have passed and Ross has got in deeper with the French invasion force as they prepare to welcome their leader General Toussaint. Meanwhile, Morwenna and Drake are ready to welcome their baby, while George stumbles on the means to undo Ross once and for all with the help of Merceron and Hanson. Ross and his friends must launch their most daring plan yet to try to save themselves and the country from enemies both at home and abroad.