‘Poldark’ Season 3 Returns Earlier Than Expected with Aidan Turner Reprising Role as Ross; Creator Reveals Shocking Twist on Elizabeth’s Baby

‘Poldark’ season 3 is scheduled to return earlier than expected. It was recently announced that the series’ third installment, starring Aidan Turner as the titular Ross Poldark, will premiere on June 2017. Meanwhile, creator Debbie Horsfield revealed a shocking twist on Elizabeth’s baby during the recent BFI & Radio Times Festival in London.

According to Cornwall Live, the British-American drama television series starring Aidan Turner in the titular role is expected to return sometime in June this year. A BBC spokeswoman recently confirmed the series’ return saying, "The earlier filming schedule on this series means that we can bring the much anticipated third series back sooner for fans to Sunday nights in June."

It was reported that the network intended the earlier premiere to be a “summer treat” for waiting fans. According to Radio Times, the move is not related to ITV’s premiere of competing series ‘Victoria,’ which is slated for September.

BBC announced a third season renewal last July 2016, even before season 2 began. Filming for the third season commenced in September 2016, a little earlier than expected, since cast and crew sought to get better shots from fairer weather as opposed to the gloomy wintry scenes from the most recent episodes.

Turner is set to return as Captain Ross Poldark along with Eleanor Tomlinson as Demelza, Heida Reed as Elizabeth, Jack Farthing as George Warleggan, Luke Norris as Dr. Dwight Enys, Caroline Blakiston as Aunt Agatha, Ruby Bentall as Verity, and Beatie Edney as Prudie Painter. Gabriella Wilde will also reprise her role as the fairly new character Caroline Penvenen, while John Nettles will return as Caroline’s uncle, Ray Penvenen.

In the final episodes of season 2, Ross managed to keep his marriage to Demelza intact despite their strained relationship caused by his infidelity. Ross slept with his former lover, Elizabeth, at some point mostly because of his insecurities about her imminent marriage to his enemy, George.

It was then revealed that Elizabeth was with child but did not know the father’s real identity. According to Metro, series writer and creator Debbie Horsfield recently dropped an ambiguous hint about the father of Elizabeth’s baby during the BFI & Radio Times Festival in London.

Horsfield teased, “The books are really ambiguous about it, it’s never said, “Oh, it’s obviously Ross’ baby…” We may wish it to be, certainly for drama, it makes it more interesting but the book is not clear at this stage. We’re not saying at this stage either.”

‘Poldark’ season 3 is expected to return on BBC One on June 2017. It is based on Winston Graham’s original novels of the same name, particularly books five and six, titled “The Black Moon” and “The Four Swans,” respectively.