I’m a sucker for a good BBC period drama, and my new favorite is one some of you might already be familiar with – Lark Rise to Candleford. It’s a wonderful series in its simplicity at capturing everyday English life in the late 1800’s and comparing the lives of the people who dwell in the poorer hamlet of Lark Rise to those of the more prosperous Candleford. This is done through the story of the girl who lives in both worlds. Laura Timmons is a Lark Rise girl who gets a job at the post office in Candleford, working with her mother’s cousin, Dorcas Lane.
I’ve completed the first two seasons and have started in on the third and continue to be just as charmed as I was with the first few episodes. I highly recommend it. I’ve been watching it through Amazon instant video but you can also get it on DVD through Netflix.
However, one of my favorite aspects of the show, is the costumes. From what I can tell, it is set in the mid-1890s which is the same time period my current work-in-progress is set. What a wonderful way to research the difference in clothing for those of high, middle, and low social classes! The Pratt sisters are dressmakers in Candleford, and they are always keeping up with the latest French fashions. They also dress identically, which is a bit odd, but a fun quirk. Now since I recently posted about the crazy fashions of this period here (What Were They Thinking?), I’ve been paying close attention to how the Pratt sisters handled the sleeves of this era.
In season 1, they wore the atrociously over-puffed sleeves of the 1895 era. However, after season 1, their fashion became much more aesthetically pleasing. The sleeves, while still carrying more fabric than the less stylish, more practical townspeople, became less pronounced as the series continued.
Compare the sleeves of the fashionable Pratt sisters on the right to the more practical style of the postmistress Dorcas Lane on the left.
- Do you enjoy period dramas? What are your favorites? I’m always looking for something new to watch.
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Thanks for recommending this series, Karen. I never heard of it before, but I’m always on the lookout for something good to watch on TV. I also LOVE a good fashion show.
It’s a great show, Lynn. I bet you will really enjoy it. My sister-in-law got me started with all these great BBC dramas. Whenever we get together over the holidays, we always have a girl’s TV room where we cross-stitch and watch shows like this. Good clean fun!
Yes, I love period stories!
Me, too, Jen. The Paradise is anther BBC scow that I enjoyed. It was only on for two seasons, but it was great. I’ve just started watching Mr. Selfridge. Haven’t quite made my mind up about that one yet, but it shows promise. 🙂
The BBC does such an excellent job with period dramas. I, too, am glad for a new recommendation! I love being swept into another time and place and thoroughly enjoy the clothing, sets, carriages, and manners of historically set shows. My husband, not so much. He heads to the TV in the playroom every time I switch one on. 🙂
I’m a Downton fan and I’ve heard that Grantchester is good for those who enjoy mysteries.
I haven’t heard of Grantchester, Becky. I’ll have to check it out.
And I hear you on the husband front. I usually stream my episodes while I’m exercising so I don’t have to torture him with them later. Ha!
Some of my favorites includes The Paradise, The Bletchley Circle, Land Girls, oh so many to choose from.
I’ve seen The Paradise. Love it! I’ve just moved Bletchley Circle and Land Girls into my instant queue on Netflix. Thanks, Zelma!
Lynn, You would enjoy watching Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. The time period takes place in the 20’s and 30’s.
The costumes and sets are out of this world!
Excellent recommendation, Janet! I have that one in my Netflix queue, but I haven’t watched it yet. I may have to move it up the list. 🙂
Karen, move Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries to the top of the queue. I LOVE that one. Set in Australia in the 1920’s with a thoroughly modern Millie type heroine who helps solve crimes. I also loved Land Girls and Bletchley Circle. Love Endeavor. Love Bomb Girls (set in Canada during WWII in a bomb factory). Oh so many.
Great recommendations, Robin. I’ll definitely look into those!
This is a favorite of my family. We have watched the series through several times now, Although I find the last season a bit disappointing. My sister and I call Laura’s last beau, Bright Eyes.
Ah, I haven’t met him yet. I just started Season 3, but I’ll be looking for him. I hope she finds lasting love before the show ends.
I love BBC period dramas – Downton, Selfridges, Call the Midwife, Cranford. I’ve heard about Lark Rise to Candleford but I haven’t watched it yet. I recently watched North & South with Richard Armitage and Daneila Danby-Ashe. Oh. my. If you haven’t seen that yet, Karen you just have to watch it. 🙂
I have seen North and South, Jen. A wonderful piece. Of course, it’s been a few years. Might be time to watch that one again. 🙂
Sounds like a fun show, Karen! I’ve not heard of it before, but I’m writing it on my list now. If it were me, I’d prefer the sleeves of Dorcas Lane. 🙂
Blessings,
Andrea
Me, too, Andrea. It reminds me of what passes for fashion today. Who would ever wear any of that stuff? Thank heaven for practical-minded ladies who had the good sense not to buy into fashion’s crazy dictates.
Just don’t watch much TV. Would rather read than watch TV. Not really into English stories where a preference is placed on the classes of people. Sometimes I might watch a movie such as My Fair Lady. I really do prefer stories about the west in America in the 1800s . I used to enjoy watching Gunsmoke when I was a kid. That goes back a long way. I loved Little House on the Prairie and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Also used to love the series The Waltons. We don’t seem to have good shows like that on TV anymore.
Shirley – I love all those classic westerns. I grew up with Little House on the Prairie and all those great western reruns. My favorites were Bonanza, The Big Valley, and Wagon Train. I also watched every episode of Dr. Quinn. Do you remember The Young Riders from the 80s and 90s? There was also a run of a TV series in the early 90s based on The Magnificent Seven. I watched those faithfully, too. It’s time for another good western drama to make it’s TV appearance. I really enjoyed Longmire for the 3 seasons it was on. It was a modern-day western instead of an historical one, but it was still great. Maybe they’ll bring them back. We can hope!
We need something good on TV. Today. In the early 2000s or so they used to air a nice programme called Wind At My Back. I believe it was reruns then when I watched it. Wished they’d bring that series back too. It was filmed in my home town.
Oh, Karen, I agree. I love English period drama and have watched the Candleford series. Didn’t know we had this in common. And, yes, the costumes are fascinating. All the best to you.
Thanks, Beth! Just another tie to bind us together. 🙂
I’m a fan of Lark Rise to Candleford as well. I’ve watched the entire series a couple of times on Netflix. My husband calls all of my beloved English shows my “Oh-oh-oh” shows. That’s supposed to sound British and stuffy. 😉
Ha! Too funny, Robin.
Lately, I’ve been watching movies based on Catherine Cookson’s novels. They keep me from constantly watching the timer while I’m on the treadmill. The accents are heavy, so sometimes I have to stop, go back, and listen again. Either that, or quickly read the Spanish subtitles. I know just enough Spanish to get the gist of what was said.
It’s fun to see the movie and then read the story. She writes stories with memorable characters and plots laced with pathos and irony.
That when I watch these shows, too, Janet. On the treadmill. Makes the time go by much faster. 🙂 I’m waiting for them to come out with a treadmill that has Netflix, etc. built-in. Right now I prop my phone up on the stand. Small screen, but it still works.
I wasn’t familiar with this series, but will be sure to look for it! 🙂
Thanks Karen!
I bet you’ll like it, Patti Jo. 🙂
Love this series. ..always brings me back to Anne of green gables and Avonlea….wind at my back is another good series set early 1900s
Love Anne of Green Gables! Grew up with those books and I remember watching the movies many years ago. Watched them again with my daughter when she was around 12 or so. I haven’t heard of Wind at my Back. I’ll need to check that one out. Thanks, Dawn. 🙂
LOL ! I LOVE all these classics! Just watched 3 hours of “catch up” Downton last night. New series begins tomorrow (Sunday)..can’t wait. 🙂 but I do enjoy any thing like Agatha Christie’ s, Miss Marples, Midsomer Murder, Lewis, Frost, Inspector Lynley and …MOST CERTAINLY Miss Fisher..how could I not, when it is set in AUS. 🙂
Ned Kelly,our famous (or should I say infamous ?) Bush Ranger, is another favourite and also Breaker Morant.
I did enjoy North and South (always happy to learn a little history of our American cousins)
Anne of Green Gables, Little Women and anything to do with Jane Austen are also faves of mine.
Last but certainly not least, Seven Little Australians !
Happy Viewing and Happy Reading 🙂
I’ll definitely have to start watching Miss Fisher with all these great recommendations. Feel the Aussie love!
my favorites are North and South (BBC) and Under the Greenwood Tree. Also enjoyed Little Dorrit ( most recent PBS version) Bleak House, Cranford.
Also Downton, The Paradise.. All Jane Austen 🙂
I’ve seen Under the Greenwood Tree. That was a nice one, Erin! 🙂
When I saw this post and all the comments, I grabbed a notebook and pen! All my favorites have already been mentioned so I don’t have anything to contribute. Thank you ladies for all the new suggestions. It is currently 12 below zero where I live so I appreciate new shows to watch.
I’ve watched the whole series of Lark Rise on Amazon Prime with my ROKU. I loved it and was also fascinated with the clothing. I’ve been enjoying the clothes and hats on Downton Abbey. You may enjoy these: Cranford (1800’s), Agatha Christie’s Mysteries, Poirot Mysteries, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (1930’s), and the current series on PBS, Grantchester (1940’s and 50’s)
. Foyle’s War if you like mysteries