She might be known as a comedy icon, but it turns out Dawn French is rather good at period dramas, too. The proof is in her 5-star drama, Lark Rise to Candleford, the Noughties series that takes us to the English countryside in the late 19th century where Dawn’s character Caroline is a reckless drunk who drinks too much, laughs too much and even sings too much!
As period dramas go, it’s easily as good as the nation’ favourite, Downton Abbey, thanks partly to its all-star cast including Dawn, Julia Sawalha and Brendan Coyle, but also due to its source material. The story is taken from the pages of Flora Thompson’s beloved memoir, which recounts how she left her impoverished rural hamlet to work in a bustling market town – and it makes for a TV show that’s as fascinating as it is comforting.
With all four series of Lark Rise to Candleford available to stream on U now tonight (or now, if you fancy), here’s everything you need to know about the period drama before you tune in, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is Lark Rise to Candleford about?
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The period drama, which ran for four series on the BBC from 2008 until 2011, is based on Flora Thompson’s memoir about her childhood in the small Oxfordshire hamlet of Lark Rise, as well as the wealthier neighbouring town of Candleford. Set at the end of the 19th century, we follow Laura Timmins (Olivia Hallinan) as she moves to Candleford to begin an apprenticeship as a postmistress under her cousin, Dorcas Lane (Julia Sawalha), meeting farm workers, craftsmen and gentry along the way.
The series is a sort of love letter to rural England and over the course of the four series, we meet families, rivals, friends and neighbours who help each other (and sometimes don’t!) through good and bad times. With Laura bridging two worlds – the traditional, slow, impoverished Lark Rise and the bustling, affluent Candleford, we start to see the world of agricultural customs and rural culture vanish as the modern world takes hold and fresh opportunities arrive.
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The series features a star-studded cast, including Dawn French as Caroline, one of the Timmins’ neighbours. A controversial character, Dawn told the BBC that Caroline is just a little bit (understatement) reckless. “I wouldn’t describe my character as a rebel, more of a bit of drunk!”, she said.
“I’m quite a vibrant character, Caroline Arless is a lusty woman. She has a lust for life and for her husband who is away at sea. She’s quite extreme, in that she drinks too much, laughs too much and sings too much. But she loves her family very much, it’s just that she goes over the top sometimes.”
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“They scrabble for every penny but they do share and the Lark Rise community really look out for each other. My character’s forever at someone’s door borrowing some bread. Flora Thompson describes that in the book as part of community life; everything is used and used again.
Who’s in the cast of Lark Rise to Candleford?
UKTV
The main cast of Lark Rise of Candleford includes:
Julia Sawalha (Absolutely Fabulous) as Dorcas LaneOlivia Hallinan (Torchwood) as Laura TimminsDawn French (Can You Keep a Secret?) as Caroline ArlessClaudie Blakley (Father Brown) as Emma TimminsBrendan Coyle (Downton Abbey) as Robert TimminsMark Heap (Can You Keep a Secret?) as Thomas BrownOlivia Grant (Indian Summers) as Lady Adelaide MidwinterBen Miles (Red Joan) as Sir Timothy MidwinterLiz Smith (The Vicar of Dibley) as ZillahLinda Bassett (Call the Midwife)as Victoria May “Queenie” Warrener TurrillKarl Johnson (Close My Eyes) as Thomas “Twister” TurrillSandy McDade (Guilt) as Margaret Ellison BrownJohn Dagleish (Truckers) as Alf ArlessVictoria Hamilton (Doctor Foster)as Ruth “Ruby” PrattRuby Bentall (The Paradise) as Winifred “Minnie” MudeMatilda Ziegler (Mr. Bean) as Prudence “Pearl” PrattOliver Jackson-Cohen (Wilderness) as Phillip WhiteIs Lark Rise to Candleford any good?
UKTV
Yes – it’s a heartwarming, joy-filled series that portrays a world grappling with impending change. The characters are brilliantly nuanced, the rural Oxfordshire setting is glorious and it celebrates the small daily joys in a way that makes you feel genuinely uplifted. If you fancy being transported back to a bygone era, we’d highly recommend giving it a watch.
How can I watch Lark Rise to Candleford?
You can watch all four series of Lark Rise to Candleford now on U.
What other period dramas can I watch now? 
Nick Briggs
Another fantastic series set in the 19th century is The Paradise. The drama is based on Émile Zola’s 1883 novel Au Bonheur des Dames and set in England’s first department store in the 1870s where Sarah Lancashire’s Miss Audrey is Head of Ladieswear. You can watch The Paradise now on Channel 4. If you’re a Nicola Walker fan, we’d also suggest Mary & George. The series is based on the true story of Mary Villiers (played by Julianne Moore), who used her son, George (Nicholas Galitzine) to worm her way into the higher echelons of English society. Nicola Walker plays Lady Elizabeth Hatton, the lady-in-waiting for the Queen consort Anne of Denmark and her performance as Mary’s adversary is fantastic. Mary & George is available to watch on NOW.