He was the original Ross Poldark and in the ’70s, he was something of a frock flick heartthrob, featuring in historical costume movies from 16th-century to Victorian eras. And he even got a turn in the Poldark remake. For over 20 years now, he’s been living with his wife (and several cats) on a farm in France, writing cookbooks and for a while, a charming blog, but no idea if he’s retired from acting. Ah well, let’s look at Robin Ellis’ career in costume!
Edward Ferrars in Sense and Sensibility (1971)
The shy, honorable-to-a-fault love interest for Elinor.
He’s bookish & sweet!
Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex, in Elizabeth R (1971)
In the last 2 episodes of this miniseries, Robin Ellis plays Queen Elizabeth’s final favorite.
He gets a flashy wardrobe, fitting his impulsive character.
Of course, he loses his head in the end.
Franklin Blake in The Moonstone (1972)
That plaid suit is SO VERY Victorian.
Charles Dallas in “The Missing Q.C.s,” The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes (1973)
There’s Ellis at the lower-left of the picture!
Major White in “The Agreement of the People,” Churchill’s People (1975)
No idea if this is Robin Ellis, but it’s the only image I can find from this episode of the miniseries based on Winston Churchill’s book of British history.
Ross Poldark in Poldark (1975-77)
The original! The man, the myth, the legend.
With Angharad Rees as Demelza.
Getting all windblown on the Cornish coast, as you do.
Robert Acton in The Europeans (1979)
Somewhat ironically playing an 1850s American who gets entangled with a European gold-digger.
Howard Carter in The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb (1980)
A cheezy TV movie about “mysterious deaths” connected to the discovering of Tut’s tomb in the 1920s. Ian McShane was originally playing Carter but broke his leg early in filming, so Robin Ellis took on the role.
John Dowell in The Good Soldier (1981)
Based on a Ford Madox Ford novel set just before World War I.
Sir Robert Norberton in “Shoscombe Old Place,” The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes (1991)
Another guest role in a Sherlock Holmes series, as Robin Ellis enters his “distinguished gentleman” phase.
Reverend Halse in Poldark (2015)
Coming back to where most of us found him, with a recurring role in the most recent version of Poldark!
Behind-the-scenes with the new Ross Poldark, Aidan Turner.
Is Robin Ellis your favorite Poldark? What historical costume movie or TV role do you remember him best for?
What about a still from “She Loves Me”?
He was wonderful in “She Loves Me”
I was about to comment the same. He was perfect.
was “The Curse of King Tut’s Tomb (1980)” the one where Tom Baker (of Dr Who) was in brown face as an Arab pilot?
Because I vaguely remember that….
Yup, that was the one. :)
oooh yes. The original poldark absolutely confirmed my bisexuality- I could never choose between Ross and Demelza. Demelza eventually won of course
Despite my youthful thing for R.E., I now prefer Turner as Poldark; this might have something to do with the script and the stiff direction of the original. (And the fact that Angharad Rees’s Demelza had so little to do in the first series except say, “Oh, Ross!”) The Poldark novels are much better than either telly series.
Caption for the image of Mr Ellis with Mr Turner:
Poldark the Elder “Now young Ross, just remember that if they ever ask you to get your kit off and you’re not feeling up to it, just remember … I’ve kept myself in shape!”