DVDs in the Works

The fourth season of Lark Rise to Candleford premieres in the UK this Sunday, and we’re working to get the new DVD of this phenomenally popular drama out as soon as we can, hopefully in the spring. In addition to on-going favorites – Julia Sawalha, Claudie Blakley, Ben Aldridge, John Dagleish, Ruby Bentall, and Victoria Hamiliton– a potential love interest for the perpetually single Julia Sawalha’s Dorcas arrives in the form of newcomer Gabriel Cochrane (played by Richard Harrington, Collision).

Formerly the wealthy owner of a large iron foundry, Gabriel arrives widowed and destitute so Dorcas hires him as blacksmith to stoke her forge. Writer Bill Gallagher (who also wrote the recent revival of The Prisoner) said for this fourth series he wanted to create someone who had to start life again, in contrast to Sir Timothy (Ben Miles), a man of wealth and standing, and James Dowland (Jason Merrells), a self-made man.

The best news for long-term fans is the reappearance of Dawn French as Arless matriarch Caroline.

By the way, if you’ve been wondering where the Lark Rise crew goes to re-create Victorian England’s rural landscape, they head for the less traveled, southerly parts of the Cotswolds  off the main foot trails. John Dagleish, who tills the land as Alf Arless, told the Radio Times: “One of my favorite views was at Lasborough [a small parish in Gloucestershire], when you’re looking across the valley. We were able to do big, wide shots there, with nothing of modern day life getting in the way, so it was perfect for getting right back to that period.”