–

We are sorry to be done with the four seasons of this BBC period costume drama that was aired between 2009 and 2013. We watched it recently on Amazon Prime instant streaming at the recommendation of a homeschooling friend, and we are so glad we did! We loved it and highly recommend it.

This show, set in the English countryside before industrialization became widespread, is clean enough for the whole family, and while innocuous, it is rife with wonderful characters facing the daily life of their times as well as the more perennial challenges of the human condition. We best described it recently to someone as an English version of Laura Ingalls Wilder, where the main character here is also named Laura. It is based on a book titled Larkrise to Candleford by Flora Thompson, which would be fun to read someday.

Larkrise is a smaller hamlet on the outskirts of the larger town of Candleford, and Laura, brought up in Larkrise, goes to Candleford to work for Miss Dorcas Lane at the Post Office. Both are shown above.

For BBC watchers and Masterpiece Theater folks, you’ll notice in this cast familiar actors, as this was produced by the people who later made the Paradise. You’ll also recognize Downton Abby’s Bates in a much better role here of Laura’s Pa. You can see some photos from the show below.

Anyway, look for it in your library on DVD or online; we think you’ll enjoy it!

–