‘Poldark’ Season 2, Episode 8 Controversial Ross-Elizabeth Rape Scene Cleared by Ofcom Following Numerous Complaints

‘Poldark’ season 2’s episode 8 contained a controversial rape scene between Ross and his former fiancée Elizabeth, which received numerous complaints from viewers. Despite this, it has been cleared from investigation by Ofcom.

According to The Telegraph, the controversial eighth episode from season 2 of BBC One’s British-American drama television series received numerous complaints. It contained a disturbing scene wherein Ross burst into his former love Elizabeth’s bedroom and forced himself on her. However, it was then depicted as “consensual” as the scene went along.

Co-director at charity End Violence Against Women Sarah Green insisted that the scene portrayed rape despite being depicted otherwise. She said, "The directors have done something really ambiguous. It is a really appalling message, which is they have made the representation of non-consensual sex ambiguous by making her appear to change her mind."

Green explained that the ambiguity of the scene fueled viewers’ complaints. She explained, "The problem the producers have found, because this character is extremely popular, they can't represent him as that, they can't represent him as doing something criminal."

Lead actor Aidan Turner, who plays Ross in the series, previously defended the adaptation during an interview with The Sun. He said, “It seems consensual and it just seems right. He goes to talk. He doesn’t go to commit a crime... He doesn’t force himself upon her.” The scene was pulled out of Winston Graham’s original 1953 novel, entitled “Warleggan.”

Graham's son Andrew also commented on the scene saying, "To be more precise - in the novel Warleggan, the point of departure for the relevant scene is indeed consistent with the potential for rape. But what then actually happens is not described but is left entirely to one's imagination.”

Despite the numerous complaints from viewers, Ofcom decided not to investigate, according to Digital Spy. A spokesperson said, "We recognised that some viewers were offended by the way in which this scene was portrayed… However, we took into account the right to freedom of expression and that drama programming is not required to portray behaviours in a way that either advocates or opposes them."

‘Poldark’ season 3 is currently in production and is expected to return to BBC One sometime in 2017.