Since the wonderfully traditional, heart-warming and whimsical Lark Rise to Candleford Christmas special was broadcast, I’ve been utterly captivated by the series. The start of the new series last Sunday was equally endearing and lovely, perfect viewing for a cold winter Sunday evening.
But this has left me with one nagging question: why did this lovely, largely undemanding TV drama pass me by first time round? I pride myself on having a finger on the pulse of top telly (I knew it was Matt Smith months ago, honest!), but there was something about Lark Rise to Candleford that left me cold last year. Perhaps after gorging on the rather marvellous Cranford at the close of 2007, the prospect of more lace on my TV screen was too much to take.
But Lark Rise is simply cracking drama entertainment and might just be my new favourite thing. Bizarrely, for a show that has featured Dawn French, it’s exactly the type of drama that French and Saunders would have had a field day lampooning. It would be easy to imagine Jennifer Saunders providing a fabulously simpering and wide-eyed spin on Dorcas Lane (although Julia Sawalha seems to be doing a good enough job herself).
After ten episodes of a new run I’ll no doubt have had about as much heart-warming Sunday evening drama as I can, but for now I’m happy to sit down and lose myself in a simpler time for an hour.
And Lark Rise to Candleford is just part of a hefty slate of top stuff for the months ahead that already has 2009 looking rosier than 2008 did for this business we call telly. Masterchef! ER! New 24! More Primeval! Robin Hood! Demons (well, we can’t everything I suppose). I’m in such a good mood, I might even give The Life of Riley a chance.
Of course, it won’t last, but in a world where a new ITV drama can pull in over 7 million (and grow audience on the second night), I’m prepared to believe anything…
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