Monarch of the Glen returns with a new dawn at Glenbogle

Beware of what you wish for… you may get it!

It is dream come true time at Glenbogle as a new era is ushered in.

In the fourth series of Monarch of the Glen, due to be shown on BBC ONE in September 2002, Archie has a free rein in running the estate and he has finally made his commitment clear to Lexie.

So things look set to end happily ever after ... or do they? For Lexie, played by Dawn Steele, the changes are exciting but scary.

From a feisty, confident cook-cum-housekeeper, she has to face the daunting prospect of being the Laird's lady - taking Molly's place as the mistress of Glenbogle.

"There has always been an upstairs downstairs feel about the family - and the extended family - the staff," says executive producer Victoria Evans.

"Now there is an opportunity to explore the world through Lexie's eyes as she prepares to come upstairs in her new role.

"It really is a Cinderella story for her," she continues. "This is a young girl's dream. She's met her Prince Charming in Archie and could now live the life of a fairytale princess.

"Obviously it's not all plain sailing for her by any means, but she really could be living the dream."

But Lexie's dreams are becoming a nightmare of uncertainty as she foresees her future as the new First Lady of this loch-side kingdom. You can take the girl out of the kitchen but can you take the kitchen out of the girl?

"She has a foot in two camps," explains producer Stephen Garwood. "She feels dispossessed by the appointment of a new cook, even though Archie has done it as a favour to her. Her nose is out of joint."

Victoria agrees: "It's not easy for her to leave her co-workers behind. Archie relies on her to keep him straight about how he is dealing with the others. She is the people person in the relationship.

"Now Lexie has, effectively, become part of the management and she's got mixed feelings about that.

"Although she wants to support Archie and to do everything she can to make Glenbogle work, she's never going to forget what it feels like to be one of the workers."

The passionate roller-coaster that has been Lexie and Archie's relationship should be turning into a romantic ride into the Tunnel of Love. But just as Archie has finally declared himself, Lexie is wrestling with insecurities.