She made a splash as the tortured adolescent grappling with her emerging sexuality in the Emmywinning Channel 4 TV series Sugar Rush in 2006, but Olivia Hallinan has really shown her range in the BBC's Lark Rise To Candleford based on Flora Thompson's 19th-century autobiography. She dons bonnet and corsets to take the lead as the strongwilled post-office apprentice opposite UK television stalwarts including Julia Sawalha, Dawn French and Liz Smith. Now in its second series, Lark Rise will occupy Hallinan until mid-November. While it has satisfied her desire to do a period piece, Hallinan is keen to hone her craft both in the theatre and on film. 'I've acted since I was a child so it's very normal for me,' she says. 'Compelling characters and interesting writing is what attracts me - that, and working with great British directors.'

Contact: Conway van Gelder Grant,(44) 20 7287 0077