Who Played George Warleggan In Poldark

The Villain Everyone Loved to Hate

If you've ever watched Poldark and thought, "Who is that smug, sneering man who makes my blood boil?" — congratulations, you've met George Warleggan. This character is basically the human equivalent of stepping on a Lego barefoot, except he does it repeatedly and with extreme confidence. So who brought this magnificently evil gentleman to life?

The answer depends on which version of Poldark you're talking about, because this show has been around longer than some of us care to admit. In the beloved 2015 BBC series, George Warleggan was played by Luke Norris, an actor whose face became the poster child for "smug aristocrat energy." If you've ever seen someone smirk at a dinner party and thought, "I want to hate that person but I also want their cheekbones," then Luke Norris has delivered exactly that.

The 2015 Series: Luke Norris Takes the Crown

Luke Norris joined the cast of Poldark and immediately made himself unforgettable — but not for the reasons he probably wanted. George Warleggan is a wealthy, scheming, morally bankrupt banker who seems to believe the entire world revolves around his bank account. Norris played him with such delicious smugness that fans genuinely rooted for Ross Poldark to knock him into next week.

What's surprising about Luke Norris is that he's actually a pretty versatile actor who has appeared in everything from comedy to drama. Before donning those powdered wigs and velvet coats, he'd been in shows like Being Human and various theatre productions. So when he stepped into George's shoes, he wasn't just playing a villain — he was transforming into a walking, talking embodiment of entitlement.

Fans of the show will tell you that George Warleggan is the kind of character you love to hate and hate to love. Norris brought a certain charm to the role that made George almost sympathetic, which is a dangerous thing to do when your character is busy ruining people's lives. It's like a puppy chewing your favourite shoes — you're furious, but you can't help but find it adorable.

The Original 1975 Poldark: Richard Morant

Now, if you're the kind of person who watches shows that were filmed before the internet existed — no judgment, we respect your vintage taste — then you might remember George Warleggan as played by Richard Morant. The original Poldark aired in 1975, and Morant's portrayal was dripping with the kind of old-school villainy that only a period drama can deliver.

Jack Farthing, Season 3 | Poldark, Poldark series, Aidan turner

Richard Morant had a long and distinguished career in British television and theatre. He was known for his ability to play authority figures who radiated an aura of quiet menace. In the 1975 version, George Warleggan wasn't just a villain — he was a presence, the kind of character who could walk into a room and make everyone slightly less comfortable without saying a single word.

Interestingly, the 1975 series was based on Winston Graham's novels, and George Warleggan is one of the most memorable antagonists in British literary history. Graham created him as a representation of greed and corruption in the 18th-century Cornish mining world. Morant brought that to the screen in a way that made audiences genuinely dread seeing his face every week.

What Makes George Warleggan So Compelling?

Here's the thing about great villains — they don't just exist to be defeated. George Warleggan is complex. He's ambitious, cunning, and utterly ruthless, but he's also a product of his time and class. Both Luke Norris and Richard Morant understood that the best villains aren't just evil; they're believable.

Luke Norris once mentioned in an interview that playing George was a blast, and honestly, we believe him. When you get to smirk at the hero for hours on end, that's a dream role for any actor who loves playing the antagonist. Norris has said he found George's unwavering confidence both fascinating and terrifying — and honestly, that's probably how everyone in 18th-century Cornwall felt too.

BBC One - Poldark - George Warleggan

The character's arc across the series is genuinely wild. George goes from wealthy banker to someone whose empire crumbles in spectacular fashion, and Norris played every step of that downfall with grace and theatrical flair. It's like watching a castle of cards fall in slow motion — you know it's coming, but you still can't look away.

Beyond Poldark: What's Luke Norris Been Up To?

Since Poldark wrapped in 2019, Luke Norris has kept himself busy with a variety of projects. He appeared in the acclaimed series Gentleman Jack and has continued working extensively in British theatre. His range as an actor has only grown, proving that playing a villain doesn't trap you in one type of role.

Meanwhile, Richard Morant's legacy lives on through his body of work spanning decades of British television. He passed away in 2011, but his portrayal of George Warleggan remains a benchmark for how period drama villains should be played. Both actors left their mark on the character in completely different but equally impressive ways.

So next time someone asks you who played George Warleggan in Poldark, you can confidently say Luke Norris for the modern series and Richard Morant for the classic. You can also add that both did an absolutely magnificent job of making you want to throw your television at the wall. And honestly, that's the mark of a truly great villain — someone who makes you feel things you probably shouldn't.