If you are a Downton Abbey fan that’s still mourning the last hurrah of The Grand Finale, then prepare to be reinvigorated by Channel 5’s new period drama, The Forsytes. Following on from Damian Lewis’s 2002 version, The Forsyte Saga, this new adaptation centres once again on the affluent stockbroking family during the late-Victorian era.

Rival cousins Jolyon (Danny Griffin) and Soames (Joshua Orpin) are at the centre of the story, as they vie for succession of the family business. But what would a period drama be without some deep and passionate yearning?

As such, the heart of the story comes from the romantic plights of the Forsytes. As the synopsis details: “Married Jolyon contends with the reappearance of his former lover, Louisa, a lady’s maid-turned-dressmaker, while daughter June (Justine Moore) falls for a penniless architect. Soames, meanwhile, is enchanted by the beautiful and free-spirited dancer Irene (Mille Gibson).”

This teaser barely scratches at the show’s potential for emotive drama and, judging by what we’ve gleaned from the first two preview episodes, there is plenty in store. However it’s more subdued than what period drama fans have been used to of late.

There’s no denying that we’ve entered a truly exciting era for period dramas, where the genre has been somewhat turned on its head.

From the sensuous and salacious escapades of Bridgerton, to the more recent House of Guinness which is foaming with tumultuous energy, the offering of period drama is teaming with innovation and creativity.

The Forsytes doesn’t hit you over the head in quite the same way, however there is something special about this particular reimagining of the story that feels very reminiscent of Downton‘s charming and magical appeal.

That appeal lies in writer and executive producer Debbie Horsfield’s wonderfully classic approach to the series. The Forsytes feels enjoyably grounded, as it leans into the intimacy of its narrative. It relies on the complexities of its characters, whose relationships with each other are never as black and white as they may initially seem.

Eleanor Tomlinson’s Louisa is a new addition to the story, whose resurfacing in Jolyon’s life is the expected spanner in the works. However what is more unexpected is what her presence reveals about Jolyon’s relationship with his wife Frances (Tuppence Middleton).

The interwoven chemistry between the three is delicate, vulnerable and tense. This brings something different from the 2002 version, and makes it instantly far more interesting because of how layered it is.

Equally Soames actor Orpin does a beautiful job of bringing out the dichotomy of his character, who is as ruthless as he is tender under the right circumstances.

Francesca Annis’s Ann Forsyte steers the family ship as the matriarch and serves as somewhat of a Dowager Countess in this universe. It isn’t a like-for-like comparison though, nor should it be. But while Ann may not possess the same hilarious cheek as Lady Grantham (Dame Maggie Smith), she has the right mix of warmth and sharpness to make the character enticing.

Much like Downton, The Forsytes has that romantically sweeping feel to the narrative that makes it easy to become enmeshed in the world. But it is not a perfect watch. While the show nails the slow-burn romance element, it suffers when it comes to its overall pacing.

The Forsytes rushes to conclude its big episodic reveals too quickly, which feels satisfying in the moment but saps the tension in the long run.

Still, there is enough interest in the individual characters to carry viewers from episode to episode, at least for now.

Hopefully the intrigue they provide is sustainable long enough for the pacing issues to be ironed out over the course of the series, which is already laying the groundwork for more family feuds, betrayal, clandestine romances and of course heartbreak.

Basically, everything you could want from your latest period drama obsession.