Isabella Thornton
Here’s everything you need to know about Channel 5’s grand Victorian-era drama The Forsytes Season 1 (2025) — from its official premiere date and streaming platform to the complete episode guide, star-studded cast lineup, and a step-by-step guide on how to stream it online from New Zealand.
If you have any questions about watching or accessing the series, drop them in the comments below — I’ll respond quickly to make sure you can start streaming The Forsytes effortlessly, no matter where you are in the world.
How can I watch The Forsytes (2025) in New Zealand on 5?
To watch The Forsytes Series 1 in New Zealand, stream it for free on Channel 5’s official platform, 5 (formerly My5). Since the content is geo-restricted, you’ll need to use a premium VPN and connect to a UK server to access it. Once connected, you can watch all episodes of The Forsytes seamlessly on the 5 website, just as if you were streaming from within the UK.
- Subscribe to NordVPN
- Install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to a UK-based server.
- Visit the Channel 5 website, then sign in or create a new 5 account. During registration, you’ll be asked for a UK postcode — if you don’t have one, you can use an online UK postcode generator.
- Finally, you can watch The Forsytes Season 1 in New Zealand.
The Forsytes (2025) Plot
The Forsytes chronicles the story of an affluent stockbroking dynasty as they navigate love, loss, and legacy across generations. The plot revolves around Soames Forsyte, a man torn between ambition and emotion, and his cousin Jolyon, whose idealism sets him apart from the family’s pursuit of power. As the older Forsytes cling to tradition and social standing, the younger generation rebels, seeking freedom and self-expression. Amid grand estates and hidden scandals, two women — the passionate Irene Heron and the determined Louisa Byrne — forever alter the family’s destiny. In the end, every Forsyte must confront the timeless question: is it better to be ruled by the head or the heart?
When does The Forsytes premiere?
Season 1 of The Forsytes aired on October 20, 2025, on Channel 5.
The Forsytes Cast
- Francesca Annis as Ann Forsyte
- Stephen Moyer as Jolyon Forsyte Sr.
- Danny Griffin as Jolyon Forsyte Jr.
- Tuppence Middleton as Frances Forsyte
- Jack Davenport as James Forsyte
- Joshua Orpin as Soames Forsyte
- Millie Gibson as Irene Heron
- Eleanor Tomlinson as Louisa Byrne
- Jamie Flatters as Philip Bosinney
- Susan Hampshire as Lady Carteret
- Josette Simon as Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington
- Owen Igiehon as Isaac Cole
- Fiona Button as Mrs. Clarissa Heron
- Tristan Sturrock as Professor Heron
- Naomi Frederick as Emily Forsyte
- Sharon Rose as Alicia Cole
How many episodes does The Forsytes Season 1 have?
Season 1 of The Forsytes consists of six hour-long episodes.
Episode Guide:
- Episode 1: The House of Forsyte — The Forsyte clan reunites for a business expansion announcement that stirs buried rivalries.
- Episode 2: A Question of Honour — Soames’s ambition strains family unity as loyalties are tested.
- Episode 3: The Artist’s Touch — Philip Bosinney’s arrival sparks admiration and jealousy, changing the family dynamic forever.
- Episode 4: Hearts and Heirs — Irene’s freedom and Louisa’s return expose fractures in love and legacy.
- Episode 5: Shadows of the Past — Long-buried secrets resurface, threatening to destroy the Forsytes’ pristine reputation.
- Episode 6: The Price of Freedom — The family faces the ultimate reckoning, where love, duty, and ambition collide in a breathtaking finale.
Is there a way to watch The Forsytes online for free?
You can watch The Forsytes Series 1 completely free on Channel 5’s streaming service, 5 (formerly My5), which is ad-supported. For those in New Zealand, the content is geo-restricted, but you can easily bypass this limitation by using a reliable VPN. Simply connect to a UK server, sign in or create a free 5 account, and you’ll be able to stream The Forsytes seamlessly.
How to Sign Up for 5 (formerly My5)
| # | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Visit the 5 platform | Go to the official website or download the 5 app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android). |
| 2 | Select “Sign In” | Click Sign In on the top-right corner of the website or find it under the “More” or “Settings” section in the app. |
| 3 | Create an account | Choose Register or Create Account, then enter your name, UK postcode, date of birth, email address, and password. |
| 4 | Accept terms and submit | Agree to the Terms & Conditions, then click Submit to complete your free registration (no subscription fee required). |
| 5 | Activate on Smart TV (optional) | On your TV, choose Sign In or Create Account, visit https://activate.channel5.com, and enter the 6-digit activation code shown on your screen. |
The Forsytes (2025) Trailer
The trailer for The Forsytes has been released.
FAQs
- Where was The Forsytes filmed?
Although set in London, the series was filmed primarily at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol and on location in the surrounding area of Bristol, England. - Who wrote and produced The Forsytes?
The series is written by Debbie Horsfield and produced by Mammoth Screen in association with ITV Studios. - What era is The Forsytes set in?
The Forsytes is set during the late-Victorian era of Britain (1880s and beyond). - Is The Forsytes based on previous adaptations?
Yes. This version is the third major TV adaptation of Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga, following versions from 1967 and 2002. - Has a second season of The Forsytes been confirmed?
Yes, a second season has already been green-lit by Channel 5 before the first season has even aired.
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