Ross Poldark returns home from the American War of Independence to find Prenwith destroyed and an old feud with George Warleggan reignited.
Elizabeth has had a son - born under a Black Moon. At Nampara, news arrives that Dwight Enys is missing at sea.
Ross goes to France to search for Dwight but is captured. Drake has fallen in love with Morwenna as the feud with Warleggan continues.
Demelza has given birth to a daughter. Unaware of Morwenna's love for Drake, George has arranged a marriage between her and Rev Whitworth.
Dwight's rescue from Fort Baton goes according to plan until they reach the Channel. Meanwhile, Aunt Agatha prepares for her 100th birthday.
George is haunted by Aunt Agatha's dying curse; Ross's heroic exploits reunite Caroline and Dwight and lead to a new conquest for Demelza.
Ross refuses to stand as a parliamentary candidate, so George accepts. With Morwenna pregnant, temptation confronts Rev Whitworth.
Demelza, fighting her attraction for Hugh Armitage, learns of Ross's secret meeting with Elizabeth. Rev Whitworth's calm life is shattered.
Starvation has caused rioting amongst the miners. Ross sympathises but is powerless to help. Meanwhile, Demelza and Hugh draw closer.
It is several months since Ross's abrupt departure for Westminster left Demelza alone to grieve. Will love triumph at their reunion?
George gives a party at Penrice and calls in a loan. Rev Whitworth's domestic arrangements appear to be running a little too smoothly.
George's schemes have come to fruition as Pascoe's Bank faces bankruptcy. In Ross's absence Demelza risks all to help save their old friend.
Demelza's happiness in her first trip to London, already soured by an encounter with Monk Adderly, is about to be shattered.
Ross Poldark returns home to Cornwall to inherit a house, land, two idle mines and the girl he is to marry. But as Ross was reported dead in the war, others have laid claims.
With Elizabeth now married, Ross has lost interest in himself and Nampara. But a generous act at Redruth Fair starts a chain of events which change his life.
Ross once told Elizabeth a time would come when he would be her only salvation. Events now cause her to take those words seriously.
Demelza, bred in the gutters of Illuggan, becomes Ross Poldark's wife and is also pregnant - will local society accept her?
Ross is appalled when Jinny Carter tells him of the agony her husband is suffering in Launceston Gaol. His resolve to help uncovers skeletons outside the jail as well as in.
Unknown to Ross, the Warleggans have found new means by which to attack. Meanwhile, Mark Daniel has found that his love is no longer returned.
Demelza insists on helping Elizabeth to nurse the morbid sore-throat victim, Francis. Meanwhile, for Ross, a shipwreck in Nampara Cove brings a different kind of danger.