Plot

Ross Poldark returns from fighting in the American Revolution to his native Cornwall, finding his fiancée Elizabeth Chynoweth about to marry his wealthy cousin Francis and his home in ruins after his father's death. Ross is a reluctant wedding guest, along with George Warleggan, nephew of a prosperous banker, and his uncle Charles proposes financing him to move to London. Ross, however, stays in Cornwall, rebuilding his home. Whilst at the local market he rescues the waif-like Demelza Carne and takes her home to work for him. Her bullying father arrives with his sons to reclaim her but Ross's tenants turn up to help him and fight them off.

Returning home to Cornwall after a lengthy absence doesn't present Ross Poldark with little in the way of good news. Learning on the coach that his father has died some 6 months before, he goes directly to his uncle Charles only to find that his one-time fiancée Elizabeth Chynoweth is to marry his cousin Francis. Conditions in Cornwall are not very good with mine closures and high unemployment. His home has been abandoned and is in need of repair while his lands have long been uncultivated. He declines his uncle's offer of helping him relocate elsewhere and after rescuing a young waif from a village bully, hires her as a housemaid, intent on restoring what once was.