It follows the 1967 BBC film adaptation, which was watched by an audience of 18 million people. The 2002 version aired on ITV and featured a cast including Damian Lewis and Gina McKee.
The latest re-edit is housed at Mammoth Screen, ITV Studios' British production company behind Parade's End, The Serpent and Victoria. Filming begins next month in England, Wales and Italy.
Mammoth has assembled an ensemble cast for the series, led by BAFTA winner Francesca Annis, who plays the fearsome Forsyte matriarch Ann.
True Blood actor Stephen Moyer plays Ann's eldest son, Jolyon Senior, head of the brokerage firm Forsyte & Co. Danny Griffin stars as his bohemian son Jo, while Tuppence Middleton plays his status-hungry wife Frances. Eleanor Tomlinson plays Louisa Byrne, a Soho tailor and Jo's first love.
Jack Davenport stars as Ann's competitive younger son James. Joshua Orpin plays James' scheming son Soames, with Doctor Who's Millie Gibson as his love interest. Tom Durant Pritchard voices Monty Dartie, James' son-in-law.
Josette Simon is Mrs. Ellen Parker Barrington, a wealthy heiress and friend of the Forsyte family. Jamie Flatters has been cast as architect Philip Bosinney and Owen Igiehon as lawyer Isaac Cole.
The cast is completed by Susan Hampshire, who returns to The Forsyte Saga after starring in the original BBC series. She won the first of her three Emmy Awards for playing Fleur Forsyte and returns to Galsworthy's world as Lady Carteret.
The directors are Meenu Gaur and Annetta Laufer. Executive producers are Sheena Bucktowonsing, Horsfield, Gaur and Damien Timmer for Mammoth Screen and Susanne Simpson for Masterpiece. Sarah Lewis produces.
Horsfield said: "Our series is partly a prequel to the events of the first book, but also an opportunity to expand the world and focus on the women of the family. It's a love letter to the original story while offering a exciting new perspective."
Timmer added: “Everything about The Forsyte Saga is great – it's an epic canvas and Debbie's beautiful scripts have produced a wonderful ensemble cast. I hope audiences around the world will be captivated by the secrets of Soames, Irene, Jolyon and other members of the Forsyte family as they are unveiled to a new generation of fans.”
Simpson said the "compelling, romantic drama portrays how duty binds a family together until it comes into conflict with matters of the heart."
ITV Studios is handling international distribution and PBS Distribution is overseeing North American rights. The series does not currently have a British channel.
