Summary

• Poldark ends after 5 seasons, wrapping up the epic tale of Ross Poldark with romance, action, and intrigue.
• Season 5 focuses on Ross's efforts to save his friend Ned Despard and prevent a French invasion.
• Fans were left wanting more as the series concluded abruptly, with no news of a revival or spinoff in the works.

Poldark season 5 was the historical drama's last outing, but it packed several years' worth of excitement into its final eight episodes. Set in England around the turn of the 19th century, the series follows Captain Ross Poldark (Aidan Turner) as he returns home from fighting in the American Revolutionary War to find that his life has fallen into shambles. Based on the novels by Winston Graham, Poldark drew inspiration from the books, filled in the gaps, and fleshed out the story Graham started in the 1940s.

Across its five-season run, Poldark received high praise from critics and even scored an elusive 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes for its epic third season. Despite its reputation and popularity, season 5 marked the end of Poldark. Graham's novels still offered more stories, but the series ended without exploring the expanded universe in the books. Nevertheless, the historical TV show's final season delivered all the romance, action, and intrigue that had kept viewers tuning in throughout its respectable run on the air.

"Episode 1" (S5 E1)

Ross Prevents An Assassination Attempt On The King

Season 4 ends on a somber note as Elizabeth (Heida Reed) passes away from childbirth complications after delivering prematurely, leaving Ross' relationship with Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) strained. However, after a time jump into early 1800, Ross and Demelza have reconciled and regained stable footing. George (Jack Farthing) is anything but stable as Elizabeth's death sends him into an emotional downward spiral. Meanwhile, out-of-work residents of the countryside begin protesting their conditions.

Ross receives word his old commander Ned Despard (Vincent Regan) has been ousted on trumped-up charges and decides to stop at nothing to save his friend. In his despair, George befriends businessman Ralph Hanson, one of the shady characters responsible for imprisoning Despard. The flash-forward reveals Drake and Morwenna are wed but still struggle with intimacy. The episode ends shockingly as Ross prevents an assassination attempt on the King, prompting him to become a government spy.

"Episode 2" (S5 E2)

Dwight Chooses To Defend The Man Who Tried To Kill The King

Shows like Poldark know exactly how to increase tension, and Poldark season 5, episode 2, sees the entire party travel to London, where things get more complicated. While trying to exonerate Ned Despard, Demelza distributes a pamphlet about him that draws the ire of Ross' new spy network. Ross meets with Ned's former associate Bannantine (Norman Bowman), who explains that Ned's problems are tied to the spies.

Dwight Enys (Luke Norris) gives a lecture on mental illness, prompting his recruitment to help defend the man who tried to kill the King. Lastly, Bannantine turns up dead under mysterious circumstances after meeting a shadowy hawk-wielding spy, adding to the rising tension.

"Episode 3" (S5 E3)

Poldark Returns To Cornwall

Following their troubled time in London, the Poldark clan returns to Cornwall with Ned and his wife Kitty (Kerri McLean) in tow, hoping to keep a low profile. However, racism rears its ugly head as Kitty is rebuffed by the so-called "polite society" because of her darker skin and marriage to the white Ned.

A party to introduce Kitty to the people of Cornwall is derailed by the arrival of Hanson, who continues to vex the Despards. When a cave-in occurs at one of George's mines, Ross and Ned step up to save lives. But Ned's erratic behavior leads to the unnecessary deaths of a few miners.

"Episode 4" (S5 E4)

Hanson Continues To Try To Bring Down Ned

Leaving many of Poldark's perfect romance storylines behind for a bit, Poldark continues following the saga of Ned Despard and his ousting from Honduras. Geoffrey Charles' (Freddie Wise) newfound friendship with Cecily (Lily Dodsworth-Evans) is in danger as her father, Hanson, continues scheming to bring down Ned and his new target, Ross.

Morwenna and Drake's relationship strains further as she begins slipping out at night. Demelza continues working with the community to improve conditions, but Hanson secretly plots with many disgruntled locals to bring down the Poldark family along with the Despards.

"Episode 5" (S5 E5)

Ned Goes Back To London & Is Arrested

Though London was not pleasant to them the first time, Ross and Ned return to London with the hope that the latter can finally return to Honduras. However, Hanson's influence over George leads him to make a speech in front of parliament endorsing slave labor in Honduras, which pits Ross' philosophy against George's.

The sudden shift from gold to paper currency at the local bank puts Demelza in the hot seat with the workers, and Hanson takes full advantage of their anger. Geoffrey Charles and Cecily decide to marry, but they quickly run into opposition from her father and George who have other plans of their own.

"Episode 6" (S5 E6)

Ned is Sentenced To Be Hanged

Poldark is unique in that it uses real-life history more realistically. After being arrested in the previous episode, Poldark sees Ned desperate for Ross' help, and he turns to Dwight's expertise for help. On the eve of her wedding to George, Cecily plans to elope with Geoffrey Charles, and Drake and Morwenna consummate their marriage after a heart-to-heart. Ned is sentenced to be drawn, quartered, and hanged, but Dwight and Ross have it commuted to a simple hanging. Ross is attacked and left for dead.

"Episode 7" (S5 E7)

The French Invasion Closes In

Ross returns home with the sudden threat of a secret French invasion looming after a discovery within the mine. Ross travels to London to confront Hanson, but his smeared reputation leaves him little to work with following his fervent defense of Ned. Geoffrey Charles frees Cecily, and they run to Ross for help, with the latter vowing to help the young couple escape to America where they will be safe.

The newly widowed Kitty decides to depart too, and upon meeting up with the ship, Cecily tells Geoffrey she must leave him and go along with Kitty. Meanwhile, Ross seemingly aligns himself with the French invasion force.

"Episode 8" (S5 E8)

George & Ross Help Thwart The French Invasion

The series finale of Poldark may have come abruptly, but it didn't skimp on any explosive action. With the French invasion looming, Ross betrays Demelza's trust by aligning with the invaders. However, as he soon reveals to Dwight, Ross is a double agent who attempts to dispatch his findings to the government to thwart the invasion. Hanson's spies intercept the message, and he is ousted as a traitor to the French. Demelza arrives after learning the truth.

She tricks the French commander into engaging in a sword fight with Ross. Things get messy as Hanson plans to kill Ross with a gun, but George arrives and kills the French commander and severely wounds Hanson. The French invasion is thwarted, but George and Ross remain enemies after they work together. Ross' days as a spy are not over with his defeat of the French, and right before he sails away with Dwight to embark on another adventure, it is revealed that Demelza is pregnant.

Why Poldark Ended So Abruptly After Season 5

The novel series offered a lot more stories to tell, and yet Poldark season 5 ended the show on such an abrupt note. Like many shows, the creators wanted Poldark to go out on a high note (via Distractify) but the result was a non-ending that concluded season 5. Series star Aiden Turner said, "It doesn’t feel like an ending." However, it has been the only closure that Poldark fans have gotten so far. The series concluded in 2019, and no news has come about a revival or spinoff series in the works.