<Tr> <Th> Original release </Th> <Td> 5 October 1975--4 December 1977 </Td> </Tr> <P> Poldark is the original version of the BBC television series adaptation of the novels of the same title written by Winston Graham . The adaptation was first transmitted in the UK between 1975 and 1977 . </P> <P> The romantic saga follows Ross Poldark (Robin Ellis) as he loses his fiancée, the well - bred beauty, Elizabeth (Jill Townsend), to his cousin Francis (Clive Francis). Ross ends up marrying his servant, the unlikely - looking Demelza (Angharad Rees), but his passion for Elizabeth simmers on for years . Set in late 18th century Cornwall, the plot follows Ross Poldark's attempts to make his derelict tin mines a success . Life is hard, smuggling is rife and Ross Poldark finds himself taking the side of the underclass against the ruthless behaviour of his enemies, the greedy Warleggan clan including George Warleggan (Ralph Bates). </P> <P> Although the emphasis is primarily on Ross and Demelza, there are many other characters with their own stories . In the first series we encounter Dr. Dwight Enys (Richard Morant in the first series, Michael Cadman in the second series), a young man with progressive ideas who prefers to serve the poor communities rather than the rich . Enys has a brief affair with a married actress, Keren Daniel (Sheila White), which results in her murder by her husband . By the end of the first series, Dwight has become involved with heiress Caroline Penvenen (Judy Geeson). In the second series, they marry following Ross's rescue of Dwight from a French prison . </P>

Who played ross poldark in the original tv series