What happens to George in Poldark?

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Poldark and the following content may be distressing for some readers

Poldark has found a new legion of fans on Netflix, with the streaming platform now showing the BBC period drama.

The 2015 series, based on Graham Winston's beloved Poldark novels, marked the broadcaster's second adaptation following on from the 1975 edition starring Robin Ellis and Angharad Rees.

Seasons one to five of Poldark 2015 are streaming as a boxset on the platform, charting the fortunes of Captain Ross Poldark (played by Aidan Turner), who returns home from the American Revolutionary War to find his father dead, his estate in ruins and his love Elizabeth Chenoweth (Heida Reed) now engaged to his cousin George Warleggan (Jack Farthing).

The 18th-century-set drama focuses on Ross as he struggles to re-build the family mining business and finds love with the fiery Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson).

Throughout Poldark, George remains a key antagonist and many audience members are keen to know what becomes of the villain.

What happens to George in Poldark?

George has a redemption arc in Poldark after his dastardly deeds over the course of the show.

After the death of his wife Elizabeth, George suffers a mental breakdown and starts seeing hallucinations of her.

His declining mental health leads his uncle to force him to undergo medical treatment for his so-called "affliction" and free him of animal spirits.

George is bled by leeches, sedated, restrained and endures cupping, blistering and ice baths by a barbarous doctor.

At one point, a grief-stricken George also tries to take his own life on a cliff edge, but is stopped in time by Doctor Dwight Enys (Luke Norris).

Dwight then urges for "patience, understanding and kindness" after berating George's uncle and the doctor treating him, warning them this is a man in the throes of grief.

Elizabeth's death is a turning point for George, who eventually leaves his Trenwith estate because it's too painful to remain there.

He would be going to live between his London and Truro homes as he tries to move on.

George also informs Ross and Demelza that he doesn't want his son Valentine to visit them at Nampara as the boy is "no relation" to them.

Farthing previously spoke to Masterpiece PBS about George's madness and said: "He's an MP, he's a landowner, he's a mine owner, he's a hugely wealthy and influential person in the area. His career would be ruined if he was found to be treated for lunacy."

The star then explained that after seeing visions: "[George] brings Elizabeth back entirely and she's in the room with him.

"She's a comforting presence, she helps him do things, she supports him, she becomes a kind of moral compass for him."

Meanwhile, lead star Turner said of George's madness: "One of the few times that as an audience, I think we can really feel for that character."

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Poldark is streaming on Netflix now