Development
Malcolm Bradbury, one of the writers on the 1967 series, found that approaching the new series "brings a tear to the eye and a smile to the lips": A tear because time had passed the culturally-significant original by, but smile because investment in a classic project is good.
The makers of the 2002 version felt that any new production would be compared with the 1967 version, which set the standards for period drama for the next twenty-five years. The idea came initially from David Liddiment, ITV's director of channels, who seized on the Forsyte novels not only as a great achievement in English literature, but also for their iconic status in British TV. Granada were thinking big from the outset of the project - this was clearly something that couldn't be dashed off as a two-parter. The initial plan was for two series, the first an adaptation of The Forsyte Saga and the second continuing on with A Modern Comedy.
Sita Williams attached herself to the project in late 1999 and by the start of 2000 was taking to writers and working on the adaptations. Casting began in 2001, first casting the leading roles of Soames, Irene and Bosinney (Williams had seen Damian Lewis in Band of Brothers).
Read more about this topic: The Forsyte Saga (2002 Miniseries)
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