Heida Reed has spent the past year being forced to defend Poldark. In 2014, the Icelandic actress took on the role of Cornish lady Elizabeth Poldark in the BBC’s update of its Seventies period drama series based on Winston Graham’s novels, having no idea whether it would be a hit or just another misguided remake.

It proved the former, of course – but the downside was that controversy, when it came, resounded loudly through the headlines. Towards the end of the last series, a scene which may or may not have portrayed our notional hero Ross (Aidan Turner) raping his former flame Elizabeth outraged critics and fans alike – so much so that many called for the show to be taken off the air entirely.

For those who may have forgotten what all the fuss was about, the scene saw Ross confront Elizabeth after learning she had agreed to wed the evil George Warleggan, kicking in her front door, entering her bedroom against her will and refusing to leave, before insisting on having sex with her.

The uproar arose from the fact that it showed Elizabeth resisting her former lover before apparently enjoying being overpowered by him. Producer Karen Thrussell described the portrayal as a “fiery encounter that concludes with a consensual act”. Sarah Green, co-director of the campaign group End Violence Against Women, said the depiction was “worse than a straightforward rape”, adding that it sent an “irresponsible” message about the issue of consent.