James Dowland, the handsome and charming hotelier rides into Candleford fresh from recent success in London. Guaranteed to turn a few heads along the way, Dowland is a man of mystery that a few of the residents may well already recognise. Speaking about his character Jason comments:

“Dowland is a self made man to a certain extent. He comes from Lark Rise originally as an orphan who was looked after by Queenie (Linda Bassett). Dorcas’s father was a bit of a philanthropist and gave the young Dowland, a silver thru pence, which was very key to his imagination at the time and he took that silver thru pence and left Lark Rise to find his fortune.

“I imagine that he made his living through livery stables, perhaps through the back of hotels, to the front of hotels and then slowly worked his way up, eventually managing quite a fashionable London hotel. Years later he decides he wants to come back and see where he came from and if he can make a name for himself there. So one day he literally rides into town with all these expectations and tries to make a go of things.”

There is also talk of an attraction between James and Dorcas, it there any truth to the rumour?

“I think he really sets his sights on Dorcas because she is the beautiful one; she’s very strong and really challenges him. They are constantly bickering over the way Dowland does things which can be quite fun to play.”

As the new kid in town, what was it like joining the cast and what kind of entrance do you make?

“I literally ride into town on a horse, which was great as one of my biggest dreams is to be in a Western! Without the frontier, massively dangerous gun culture and wide open spaces, Lark Rise could in fact be a Western.

“My horse was actually quite famous on set,” laughs Jason, “The only problem was that he was a falling horse, so I was warned that when the director yells action! the horse was trained to run and then fall! I think they were just winding me up and he was a lovely horse. I was allowed to do most things but not gallop, which is fair enough.”

After appearing in contemporary series such as Cutting It and Waterloo Road, what was it that appealed to you about doing a period drama like Lark Rise to Candleford?

“I watched the series last year and really like it. I thought it looked stronger and stronger as the series progressed and I am a huge fan of Bill Gallagher’s writing. I saw a drama he wrote called Conviction and that was just brilliant. I also really liked the character of James; it was a real gift to play.

“In terms of comparing period and modern drama, I don’t think people are that different, we’re far more similar than we allow ourselves to believe. One of my favourite costume dramas from recent years was the BBC version of Vanity Fair. I thought it was interesting for so many reasons, people weren’t acting in a particular costume drama way, as they used contemporary camera moves and it felt very fresh.”

He continues, “There are certain ways of behaviour and manners that are different, such as the way in which a gentleman has to stand. Slouching was not as prevalent or cool as it is now. Apart from that though the characters and stories aren’t so different – it was only 100 years ago!”

Post Mistress Dorcas Lane decided to stay at the Post Office at the end of the first series.

However the joy was short lived as she said goodbye to two very special people in her life; Zillah (Liz Smith), her ever faithful maid sadly passed away, whilst Sir Timothy (Ben Miles) left for London with his wife Lady Adelaide (Olivia Grant).

So what is in store for Dorcas in the second series of Lark Rise to Candleford?

“Well Dorcas has got another love interest called James Dowland who is played by Jason Merrells. At first, they fight against each other because of his lack of understanding of the whole community.

“She finds it hard to understand where he’s coming from but there is also a romantic thing going on. She is attracted to him but she doesn’t understand why. Since losing Zillah, I think she wears her emotions much more on her sleeve – she’s much more vulnerable in this series.

“I miss not having Liz around, she was a fantastic person to have on set but this series, we’ve got a wonderful actress Ruby Bentall who’s incredible, she plays my new maid. It’s a lovely dynamic to have this younger maid in the kitchen that can’t do anything, and it’s made Dorcas realise how much she has learnt from Zillah. As much as you lose people you have wonderful replacements that bring in a new dynamic and a new energy and so the thing moves on.”

Does working on a period drama such as Lark Rise to Candleford presents challenges for an actor?

“There is a certain amount of etiquette involved such as not putting your elbows on the table, sitting up, and the way you walk, you have to take small steps. Sometimes in the stage directions you’ll read, ‘She runs down the street’, and Victorian ladies did not run! This wasn’t just out of manners, it’s physically impossible to run in a long skirt and a corset so you have to constantly remind yourself of things that they did and didn’t do!”

Julia, a veteran of period dramas, having starred in Cranford and Pride And Prejudice, has plenty experience of wearing corsets.

“I’m actually alright in the corsets!” she laughs, “I’ve got a bit of elastic around the side of them which helps me breathe although I do run out of breath in long speeches. There are days when it becomes a bit intolerable but it’s just like anything really. When you wear a tight pair of jeans it can become terrible sometimes. I think it helps you so much with character and helps you stand up straight and gives you a bit of grace.

“Corsets come in all different shapes, and I would say this is possibly the most restricting one I’ve worn. Some corsets are soft corsets, like the ones in the Pride And Prejudice period. They would push your boobs up but wouldn’t pull you in because you’ve got the A length dresses. But I think in this period, about five years before 1896 they were aiming for a 21 inch waist!”

The first series of Lark Rise to Candleford brought in around seven million viewers each week, what kind of reaction have you had from fans?

“The reaction has been incredible. The letters I’ve had from people are the nicest letters I’ve ever had. People have gone out of their way to write, saying: ‘I wouldn’t normally write this letter but what Dorcas went through I have been through…’

“Even in the street what most people say is that they’re so pleased there’s no murder and no violence and I think that’s the main crux of it. It’s just easier on the eye, easier on the ear, gentle drama, which looks at people’s relationships. People had the same relationships then as they do today, except we’re wearing different costumes. We have our fights we have our heartbreaks, we have our happy moments.

“This all makes my job worthwhile because it means that I’ve helped someone escape in some way for an hour and understand their own emotions and that’s a huge compliment to me.”

Reprising the role of Laura Timmins, a Lark Rise girl who moved to Candleford to work with her cousin, Dorcas Lane, Olivia Hallinan reflects how much Laura has changed since she first arrived at the Post Office as a naïve and innocent young girl:

“Laura has definitely grown up. She’s grown in confidence and takes on a lot more responsibility in this series. Dorcas watches Laura grow as she flourishes in her relationships and people skills and shes quite proud of what she has achieved.

“I think the arrival of Minnie played by Ruby Bentall is really interesting as it forces Laura to take on a much more responsible role and Dorcas gives her more freedom.

“It’s been great having Ruby join the cast and I think Minnie is such a great character that the audience will love. She is hopeless to start with and Laura gives her advice and really looks after her just as Dorcas previously did for Laura. Seeing Minnie makes Laura realise just what she’s got and how lucky she is to have her family in Lark Rise.”

Ruby Bentall is not the only newcomer to the cast; Jason Merrells joins as the new hotel owner, James Dowland:

“Jason Merrells, has been great to work with as well. Laura sees what he has made of himself coming from Lark Rise and realises how far she has come. Queenie looked after Dowland when he was a boy so there’s a good relationship between the Lark Risers and James.

“Laura is quite wary of him at first, because of his interest in Dorcas. She’s always fiercely protective over Dorcas, so when a guy comes along Laura is looking out for her – they always know when each other are upset or down about something.”

At the end of the first series Laura was left heartbroken by Philip as he betrayed her trust, so will there be a new love interest in this series?

“Laura falls head over heels in love with a man called Fisher Bloom (Matthew McNulty). He comes to Candleford to make a clock and Laura falls well and truly for him.

“Laura can be quite serious, she takes her job very seriously which is good but she can also be very sensible. Fisher makes her realise that there’s more to life than being the best at everything, being in control and being perfect, which is really good for her.

“There’s an episode where Dorcas gets ill and Laura has to take on more responsibility, she keeps saying to herself, I can’t fail, I can’t fail! Fisher lets her know that it is alright to fail sometimes. He brings out the young girl in her.”

The costumes in the first series were beautiful, having just finished filming a second series have you got used to wearing them day in day out for seven months?

“Yes, it’s a long shoot and I’ve got used to the corset now. It was hard to start with but you learn to deal with wearing it 12 hours a day, your body adjusts. I still get corset rage a lot! You’ll be fine and then you get a sharp stabbing pain and you know you have to get it loosened – especially after a big lunch!’

“Laura’s wardrobe has changed this series by becoming more colourful, more girly. Previously she was wearing hand-me-downs from Dorcas and now she’s developing her own style.”

The second series filmed in Bath and Bristol, what was it like second time round?

‘Bath is such a beautiful and stunning town. You can begin to take the place for granted when you’re staying there for so long but it’s great place to be and it was great that all the cast lived so close to each other too.

We had our local pub and went out for lots of meals together, hence the corset rage! There was a real sense of, all in it together and it was lovely that we were all neighbours.

“I went to the new shopping centre with Claudie Blakley and Brendan Coyle who play my parents and the reaction we got was unbelievable! People were really nice about the show. The reaction has been really positive and some people know more about each episode than I do. I just hope people like this series just as much.”

Summing up why she thinks Lark Rise To Candleford was so loved?

“Lark Rise To Candleford is a heart warming, tender, visually stunning and it’s the perfect Sunday night viewing. There will be things that you won’t expect in this series – the audience will see Laura worked up in state at some points, which I think could surprise people. You see the hardships as well as their closeness of the communities which I think is what the audience really liked.”

Julia Sawalha is Dorcas Lane

Olivia Hallinan is Laura Timmins

Jason Merrells is James Dowland

Brendan Coyle is Robert Timmins

Claudie Blakley is Emma Timmins

John Dagleish is Alf Arless

Mark Heap is Thomas Brown

Linda Bassett is Queenie Turrill

Karl Johnson is Twister Turrill

Matilda Ziegler is Pearle Pratt

Victoria Hamilton is Ruby Pratt

Sandy McDade is Miss Ellison

Ruby Bentall is Minnie

Head of Drama Series & Serials – Kate Harwood

Executive Producer – Sue Hogg

Executive Producer/Writer – Bill Gallagher Producer – Annie Tricklebank Production Designer – Martin Boddison

Director of Photography – Mark Partridge

Costume Designer – Pam Downe

Make-up Designer – Stella O’Farrell

Composer – Julian Nott

The Pratt sisters run the women’s clothing store in Candleford. Neither is married and they spend most of their time running a critical eye over other people’s affairs.

Pearl is the elder sister and takes the lead in ensuring that the highest standards are maintained in their shop and in the town as a whole – while her younger sister Ruby is always quick to back her up.

The sisters immediately turn their noses up at Laura when she arrives from Lark Rise as she lacks refinement in their eyes – unlike the graceful Lady Adelaide, whose (more…)

Zillah

Zillah is Dorcas’s servant.

Zillah has known Dorcas since she was a child, and worked for her father, and her grandfather before her. Nobody could love Dorcas more than Zillah, and she also considers Matthew and Thomas as part of the family, not that this stops her grumbling about all three of them and the work they create for her. Zillah is naturally suspicious, she doesn’t warm to strangers, and anyone new has a tough time earning her trust. But once she accepts you, you’re a friend for life. Zillah is also a terrible gossip.

Thomas Brown

Thomas is Dorcas’s head postman.

Thomas is a devout Christian, a teetotaller and non-smoker. He has worked for Dorcas since he was a young man and is devoted to her, if occasionally frustrated by her decadence and lack of piety. Thomas has a reputation for lecturing and sermonising – people have been known to run in the opposite direction when they see him coming in case he starts asking impertinent questions about their souls. He is convinced that eventually he will succeed in converting all his friends, even Dorcas. And until that day he will not rest. Thomas can take his obsessions to extremes, but he’s no hypocrite, he practices what he preaches, has a true heart and an unswerving loyalty to Dorcas.

Matthew Welby

Matthew runs the forge for Dorcas.

Matthew is a silent but powerful presence at the forge. Like Thomas and Zillah, there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Dorcas but he’s perhaps a little more aloof from the goings on in the Post Office than the other two. Matthew has an amazing gift for working with the horses that are brought to the forge – even the most nervous animals quieten immediately when approached by Matthew. He says it’s just a matter of speaking to them in their own language. Matthew says little, but when he speaks others know to listen.

Lady Adelaide Midwinter

Lady Adelaide is married to Sir Timothy Midwinter.

Lady Adelaide’s family made their money in trade, so marrying Sir Timothy was a step up for her into society. But life in Candleford hasn’t proved to be entirely what she’d anticipated. It’s a world away from the balls and parties where she first met Tim. So, until they start a family, she has few distractions. For the residents of Candleford and Lark Rise, Adelaide’s a less approachable, more remote figure than Sir Tim. But they respect her and warm to her as his wife. She brings a touch of glamour to the town, she’s graceful, beautiful and stylish, and to outsiders her life is to be envied.

Philip White

Philip is Sir Timothy’s assistant gamekeeper.

Philip’s father is head gamekeeper on an estate near Oxford. He worked for his father before taking up the position of assistant gamekeeper with Sir Tim on the understanding that when Tim’s head gamekeeper retires, Philip will take his place. He’s still close to his mother, father and sister and is proud of the fact that his father’s estate is owned by a nobleman with an historic title – he makes it very clear that it is larger and better preserved than Sir Tim’s. Philip is a couple of years older than Laura.

Lark Rise:

Edmund Timmins

Edmund is Laura’s brother, he is still at school.

Edmund is younger than Laura by three years, but the two are very close. He’s a gentle, thoughtful boy, but no wimp – popular at school, and well able to fight his own corner. He often clashes with his mother, particularly over his future, perhaps because they are equally stubborn. She wants to see him apprenticed to a trade, but Edmund dreams of joining the army and seeing the world.

Queenie Turrill

Queenie lives with her husband Twister next door to the End House.

Queenie is one of Lark Rise’s older residents and in many ways is the matriarch of the village. As well as looking after her bees, she gives support and advice to the mothers and children of Lark Rise. Queenie’s age means she is more in touch with the old country ways of doing things. She cares about the values and the superstitions of the old days and would like to see them passed on to the next generation.

Twister Turrill

Twister is Queenie’s layabout husband.

Twister is Queenie’s husband, and he is not the brains of the marriage. He can usually be found in the Wagon and Horses pub telling jokes and stories with the men of the village though, more often than not, he finds that the jokes are on him, as he is sometimes forgetful and a little slow-witted. Despite this he is well-liked figure in the community and the other residents know that his heart is in the right place.

Paxton

Mr Paxton runs the Wagon and Horses.

Mr Paxton runs the pub in Lark Rise and enjoys the position this gives him at the centre of the community. He is never short of an opinion on any subject being discussed by the men in the pub. His favourite topic of conversation is criticising the Candleford folk, who he thinks are always looking down on Lark Rise.

He left school early to help provide for the family. Unlike his mother he is extremely honest and hard working. He is only a boy himself but is responsible for earning the majority of the family’s money by working in the fields. It pains him to see his mother fritter his (more…)

Caroline is one of the Timmins’ neighbours. She is married to Walter who is away at sea. They have four children, and another on the way. Caroline is easily the biggest and most controversial character in Lark Rise.

Her husband, Walter, has gone away to sea, leaving her to care for her ever-growing brood. But Caroline doesn’t let this get her down. She may not have much money but what little she gets she spends in style – treating herself to barrels of beer and steak (more…)