The family owns an impressive stockbrokerage; however, the real drama is with the family members themselves.

Jealousy, deceit, conniving and greed are front and center as they vie for positions within the family and try to maintain their high standing in society. That might not be as easy as they hope, with skeletons popping out of their closets and family members pursuing various relationships that might not be as suitable for this high society family as some of the members desire.

Francesca Annis stars as the matriarch Ann, who sees the conniving within her family. Her sons, Jolyon (Stephen Moyer) and James (Jack Davenport), want their own sons to head the company. Currently, Jolyon is the president, with his son Jo (Danny Griffin) next in line. The thing is, James is a conniving and deceitful man who does everything he can to oust Jo and have his own son Soames (Joshua Orpin) installed as president.

Jo’s wife Frances (Tuppence Middleton) is determined that her husband become the president and concocts a scheme with her father-in-law to do just that. But James has other ideas.

After learning of some incidents in Jo’s earlier days, James manages to bring his nephew’s moral judgement and standards into view of the board of directors. He schemes with his son; however, Soames also has other ideas. He wants to move to Paris with his new wife, leaving things up in the air where the firm is concerned.

Now, adding to the family drama is James’ numbskull son-in-law who uses the Forsyte connection to uplift his standing. And then there is Jo’s adopted daughter, June (Justine Emma Moore), Ann’s daughter from a previous marriage, who adores her father but once his past is revealed, she becomes a jealous and often bitter young woman.

More Forsytes as well as those in their personal circle add to the roster and the drama as the episodes play out over six weeks. There is always another disturbance occurring to upset a Forsyte or two, as they struggle with their jealousies and greed, and their loves. Could this be the next popular period drama series? Season two is already in production, with the entire cast returning to continue the drama, conniving and deceit.

“The Forsytes” premiered Sunday on PBS Masterpiece, with the final episode coming April 26. The series is available to stream on the PBS app, PBS Masterpiece on Prime Video.