Lark Rise To Candleford adds some festive cheer to BBC One this Christmas

Lark Rise To Candleford returns for a second series, with a feature length Christmas special followed by 11 new episodes of this popular and heart-warming Sunday night series.

The BBC One series stars Julia Sawalha, Olivia Hallinan, Dawn French, Brendan Coyle and Mark Heap in Bill Gallagher‘s adaptation of Flora Thompson‘s charming memoir of her Oxfordshire childhood.

“In this Christmas special, Lark Rise and Candleford will be transformed into a magical place where families and friends are brought together for this special time of year,” comments Kate Harwood, Head of Series and Serials for BBC Drama Production.

“The audience are in for a real treat as all their favourite characters return to delight and entertain in a wonderfully captivating tale that unites the past and the present.”

The Christmas episode will have an extra festive treat in the form of guest star Sheridan Smith (Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps, Love Soup, Jonathan Creek Special) in the role of Cinderella Doe.

The second series of Lark Rise To Candleford will also see the introduction of new characters: Jason Merrills (Cutting it, Waterloo Road) will play the role of charming hotelier James Dowland and Ruby Bentall (Oliver Twist, New Tricks) will play the role of Minnie, a new addition to the Post Office in Candleford.

Bill Gallagher says: “With so many stories in Flora Thompson’s memoirs we are able to constantly bring new and wonderful characters and situations to life.

“These new characters will add a new dynamic to the cast and will, no doubt, make their mark on the residents of Lark Rise and Candleford.”

The second series is commissioned by Jane Tranter, Controller of BBC Fiction, and is currently filming in and around the West Country for transmission in January 2009.

The series Executive Producer is Susan Hogg and Producer is Annie Tricklebank.