Poldark season 3: Producers forced to DEFEND another shocking rape - ‘He’s despicable’
POLDARK producers have spoken out after a shocking rape scene aired in last night’s episode.
Poldark season 3 rape scene Morwenna Osborne Whitworth Christian Brassington
Poldark series three set for thrilling ninth instalment
The makers of the BBC period drama defended their decision to show vicar Osborne Whitworth (played by Christian Brassington) forcing himself on his young wife Morwenna (Ellise Chappell).
Mammoth Screen said that it represented the odious character just as Poldark author Graham Winston had done so in the novels, on which the show is based.
They commented: “In the novels, Winston Graham has created the Reverend Ossie Whitworth as a despicable character who regularly rapes his wife Morwenna.”
The company continued: “We have chosen to depict this element of the novels in series three because to do otherwise would be to minimise the appalling nature of Ossie's behaviour and the horror of what Morwenna endures."
Poldark season 3: Another rape scene aired in last night's episode
Poldark season 3: Ossie Whitworth forced himself on his wife
In the novels, Winston Graham has created Reverend Ossie as a despicable character
Poldark previously sparked complaints to watchdog Ofcom last year, over a scene involving Aidan Turner's alter ego and his former fiancée Elizabeth (Heida Reed).
It showed the latter resisting Ross before appearing to change her mind, and was criticised for being ambiguous.
Meanwhile, actor Christian has told how he bulked up to portray television’s newest villain, originally portrayed by Christopher Biggins in the 1970s adaptation.
Poldark season 3: Morwenna was assaulted after the birth of her first child
Ross and Elizabeth share a kiss on Poldark
Poldark season 3: The show sparked complaints just last year
The star - who previously played Tony Blair in his university years - ate 3,500 calories a day to go from 13 stone to 15, he told the Daily Mirror.
"I ate a diet that included some protein shakes but it was mostly Haagen-Dazs ice cream and beer," he said.
"I quite enjoyed putting the weight on to start with but near the end I didn't so much - and now I am trying to lose it, which is no fun at all. It takes much longer to lose weight than to put it on."