With the third season of Downton Abbey in full swing, British drama has me in its grip. To “mind the gap” between Sundays, I’ve discovered another BBC series – available by season on DVD – Lark Rise to Candleford. A cast of British actors with lovely accents substitutes small country village vs urbanized society for the upstairs/downstairs interaction of Downton Abbey but with the same effect. Bates (the former valet now in prison for killing his wife) from Downton Abbey plays a key role as a patriarch and stone mason in the little village of Lark Rise.
With the drama set in the early 1940s, Laura Timmons serves as the fulcrum in the storyline – the young beautiful Lark Rise country girl who goes to the town of Candleford with the promise of a career and possible future fortune. Miss Lane, the post office mistress and owner, is her mentor as well as the quiet influence behind the town and the conduit among citizens of both. Like Downton Abbey, the ensemble cast moves in and out of the action with witty dialogue and episodes shifting the focus on their lives.
Four seasons were filmed and completed by 2011 and all are available at my library. As the BBS introduction by John Oliver from the Daily Show notes – Americans seem to appreciate British drama, and it’s free.
Have you discovered Lark Rise to Candleford?
The No Charge Book Bunch 
No I haven’t discovered Lark Rise but I will! Thanks!
Have you watched The Grand? Two seasons only but worth watching. It is about a hotel, The Grand, after World War I. Available on Netflix streaming.
Thanks for the tip; I’ll be sure to check it out.