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 Actor Martha Murdoch Actor Mark Heap Actor Thomas Rhys Jones Actor Tom Conti Guest Star Sophie Miles Actor Hope Yeomans Actor Ruby Bentall Actor Harry Miles Actor Moira Armstrong Director Charles Palmer Director Flora Thompson Writer Bill Gallagher Writer, Executive Producer Susan Hogg Executive Producer