Olivia Hallinan Laura Timmins Actor Julia Sawalha Dorcas Lane Actor Brendan Coyle Robert Timmins Actor Claudie Blakley Emma Timmins Actor Dawn French Caroline Arless Actor John Dagleish Alf Arless Actor Linda Bassett Queenie Turrill Actor Karl Johnson Twister Turrill Actor Sandy McDade Margaret Brown Actor Matilda Ziegler Pearl Pratt Actor Victoria Hamilton Ruby Pratt Actor Ben Aldridge Daniel Parish Actor Sarah Lancashire Actor Fergus Drysdale Frank Timmins Actor Martha Murdoch Ethel Timmins Actor Mark Heap Thomas Brown Actor Thomas Rhys Jones Actor Sophie Miles Sally Arless Actor Hope Yeomans Lizzie Arless Actor Ruby Bentall Minnie Actor Harry Miles Actor Gerard Horan Mr. Paxton Actor John Greening Director Charles Palmer Director Flora Thompson Writer Bill Gallagher Writer, Executive Producer Susan Hogg Executive Producer