Character Relationship Map: Poldark

Characters

• Ross Poldark (played by John Bowe) — protagonist

  Ross is away in London when the storm brings a badly injured survivor to Cornwall. After hearing Demelza's plea about hunger and the failing mine, he returns and tries to prevent unrest, protect tenan...

• Demelza Poldark (played by Mel Martin) — protagonist

  Demelza writes to Ross while he is away, warning that villagers are hungry and the mine is producing nothing, and urges him to speak for peace and return. Back in Cornwall, she helps care for the resc...

• George Warleggan (played by Michael Attwell) — supporting

  George controls mines and land, leaving local families vulnerable as poverty and mine closures deepen. His men attempt to evict tenants, prompting Ross to intervene. Ross also considers using rumors a...

• Jeremy Poldark (played by Ioan Gruffudd) — supporting

  Jeremy discovers the storm-survivor clinging to the dead washed ashore. He is involved in the family's effort to care for the injured young man and later works with Ross on plans to drain flooded mine...

• Dr. Dwight Enys (played by Andrew Readman) — supporting

  Dr. Dwight Enys helps Demelza and Clowance care for the badly injured sailor rescued after the storm. His role in the account is as a medical helper to the Poldark family during the survivor's recover...

• Clowance Poldark (played by Kelly Reilly) — supporting

  Clowance is among those who help care for the injured survivor brought ashore after the storm. Her future also becomes a concern for her parents, who discuss a suitor and whether love is enough while...

• Canning (played by Patrick Pearson) — minor
• Stephen Cravenson (played by Nicholas Gleaves) — supporting

  Stephen is the badly injured sailor rescued after a storm leaves him washed ashore among the dead. Once recovered, he leaves aboard a ship, later returns after selling it in Bristol, and declines the...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Ross Poldark → Canning (Professional Interrogator And Subject) — Canning scrutinizes Ross's wartime conduct and intelligence-gathering before Ross meets the Prince Regent.

  While Ross is in London, Canning questions him about his conduct during the war and the information he gathered in Portugal.

• Demelza Poldark → Clowance Poldark (Family Mother And Daughter) — Demelza participates in decisions about Clowance's future while the family faces uncertainty about love and marriage.

  Demelza helps care for the rescued sailor and later discusses Clowance's future with Ross.

• Ross Poldark → Clowance Poldark (Family Father And Daughter) — Ross is concerned about his daughter's future, but the discussion recognizes her right to make her own choice.

  Ross and Demelza discuss Clowance's future and a suitor, while insisting that Clowance must choose for herself.

• Ross Poldark → Jeremy Poldark (Family Father And Son) — Jeremy is involved in the family's rescue and mining efforts, working alongside Ross to pursue the dangerous plan to restart the workings.

  Jeremy finds the shipwreck survivor, and later he and Ross press ahead with plans to drain the flooded workings and build a steam pump.

• Ross Poldark → Demelza Poldark (Family Husband And Wife) — Their marriage is tested by poverty, the mines' uncertain future, and Demelza's concern that Ross's hatred of George may cloud his judgment.

  Demelza writes to Ross while he is away in London, and they later discuss Clowance's future and Ross's plans concerning George.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Ross Poldark → Stephen Cravenson (Social Benefactor And Guest) — Stephen's return and refusal of his owed money help the family as it struggles to restart mining.

  Ross's household cares for the rescued sailor; Stephen later returns after selling the ship in Bristol and does not take the money he is owed.

• Jeremy Poldark → Stephen Cravenson (Alliance Rescuer And Survivor) — Jeremy discovers Stephen at the wreck site, beginning the household's involvement in the sailor's rescue.

  Jeremy finds Stephen clinging to the dead after the storm leaves him washed ashore.

• Demelza Poldark → Dr. Dwight Enys (Alliance Allies) — They work together to provide care for the survivor after the storm.

  Demelza and Dr. Dwight Enys help care for the badly injured young man washed ashore.

• Ross Poldark → Dr. Dwight Enys (Alliance Allies) — Dwight supports Ross's household by helping treat the shipwreck survivor.

  Dr. Dwight Enys helps care for the badly injured survivor brought ashore.

• Ross Poldark → George Warleggan (Conflict Rivals) — Their conflict centers on control of property and the fate of local tenants and workers; Ross's hostility toward George is questioned by Demelza.

  George controls mines and land, and Ross intervenes when Warleggan's men move to evict tenants. Ross also considers exploiting rumors about George's f...

Story Analysis

The story follows Ross and his family as they confront poverty, hostile control of land and mines, and uncertain choices about their future.

Plot Progression

1. A Wreck and a Plea — A storm brings an injured sailor to the Cornish shore, where Jeremy finds him and the household helps care for him. Demelza writes to Ross about hunger and the idle mine while Ross faces questions in...
2. Poverty and Eviction — Mine closures and the cost of improvements deepen hardship in Cornwall. Ross returns and intervenes when Warleggan's men move against tenants, while considering whether old workings can be reopened.
3. The Sailor Returns — Stephen leaves with the ship, then returns after selling it in Bristol and refuses the money owed to him. His return helps the family as Ross and Jeremy pursue a difficult mining restart.
4. Plans Under Pressure — Ross and Jeremy plan to drain flooded workings with a steam pump, but Warleggan's men try to stop them. The family also debates Clowance's future and Ross's response to rumors about George.