Cornwall, 1783. Ross Poldark returns from the war to find his estate in ruins and his sweetheart Elizabeth is set to marry another. Though it appears there is nothing left for him in his former home, Ross stubbornly resolves to remain in Cornwall and return his estate to its former glory. Joined by useless former servants Jud and Prudie, and scrappy street urchin Demelza, Ross must forge a new life for himself in the face of hostile forces.