Lark Rise To Candleford

04 Jan 2009, 20:00 on BBC One

Following last week’s Christmas special, a new series of Lark Rise To Candleford, adapted by Bill Gallagher from Flora Thompson’s magical memoirs, begins tonight.

A handsome stranger rides into Candleford with a look of determination about him. As he approaches, the man, James Dowland, chances upon young Edmund Timmins and presents him with a silver thruppence.

James’s arrival in Candleford catches the eye of several of the residents, but he only has eyes for a certain Dorcas Lane. For the Pratt sisters, he is their new hero who will put Candleford on the map with the opening of a new hotel.

Not everyone is so keen on James. Robert Timmins is suspicious of his motives and is less than accepting of his financial help when he offers to take the Lark Rise tenants under his wing. Emma Timmins and the other tenants, however, are more than happy to welcome James into their homes.

Mrs Herring, the cantankerous landlady, continues to add to the strains of the Lark Rise residents with her refusal to upkeep their homes. Dorcas and James take it upon themselves to help, and come up with a plan to show Mrs Herring the error of her ways.

Meanwhile, Dorcas’s patience is tried with the arrival of a new maid, Minnie, who can do no right. She means well but, with her troubled past, struggles to contain her excitement – testing Dorcas and those around her to the limit.

Edmund Timmins is played by Thomas Jones, James Dowland by Jason Merrells, Dorcas Lane by Julia Sawalha, Pearl Pratt by Matilda Ziegler, Ruby Pratt by Victoria Hamilton, Robert Timmins by Brendan Coyle, Emma Timmins by Claudie Blakley, Mrs Herring by Maggie Steed and Minnie by Ruby Bentall.

Lark Rise To Candleford is also being simulcast on the BBC HD channel – the BBC’s High Definition channel available through Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media. With up to five times more detail than standard definition television, HD gives you exceptionally vivid colours and crisp pictures to make Lark Rise To Candleford a truly cinematic TV experience.

CREDITS:

Dorcas Lane

Julia Sawalha

James Dowland

Jason Merrells

Minnie

Ruby Bentall

Thomas Brown

Mark Heap

Queenie Turrill

Linda Bassett

Emma Timmins

Claudie Blakley

Robert Timmins

Brendan Coyle

Alf Arless

John Dagleish

Frank Timmins

Fergus Drysdale

Laura Timmins

Olivia Hallinan

Ruby Pratt

Victoria Hamilton

Twister Turrill

Karl Johnson

Edmund Timmins

Thomas Jones

Adult Laura

Sarah Lancashire

Archie Arless

Harry Miles

Director

Alan Grint

Producer

Ann Tricklebank