Based on the H.E. Bates’ novel, The Darling Buds of May, written by acclaimed screenwriter Simon Nye (Finding Alice, The Durrells, Men Behaving Badly), we've rounded up everything you need to know about the Darling Buds of May remake, The Larkins, on ITV, including the cast, series two news and trailer.
The Larkins release date
The Larkins began airing on ITV on October 10, 2021. The next series is set to air September 25, 2022. Don't worry if you missed the first series - you can catch up on ITV Hub.
What is The Larkins about?
Set in the late 1950’s, The Larkins is the story of a working-class family, led by the golden-hearted wheeler dealer Pop Larkin and his wife Ma, together with their six children, including the beautiful Mariette.
Fiercely loyal to each other and their community, each Larkin family member has a strong work ethic, alongside a disinterest in authority.
In the idyllic and beautiful Kent countryside, known as the Garden of England, The Larkins have achieved a small patch of paradise where nothing is wasted and they enjoy life to the full.
The Larkins are fundamentally good-hearted people who are always happy to share what they have with others, despite the fact that what they have is sometimes obtained by unusual means! In a rather mean-spirited way their good heartedness is not always shared by certain members of the local community.
From government officials and snobbish second homeowners to aggressive urban developers, the Larkins often deal with threats to their idyllic way of life – but they never take things lying down.
Alongside their weekly battles with authority and snobbish villagers, The Larkins will follow the love story between Mariette and village newcomer Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton. Charley arrives in the village as an unworldly and officious accountant from the city, there to investigate the Larkins’ tax affairs.
He is soon distracted by the beautiful Mariette, with whom he falls head over heels in love. However, he quickly discovers that he has a romantic rival in the form of the handsome and mysterious Tom Fisher. Mariette, on the other hand, may have plans of her own, which don’t involve men.
There’s an overwhelming sense of plenty in their lives and a lot of joy and raucous laughter, as Ma Larkin provides a seemingly endless supply of delicious, hearty meals. And no matter what time of day, The Larkins and their guests aren’t averse to enjoying the odd cocktail or two!
The Larkins cast
Bradley Walsh, Pop Larkin
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this much loved and iconic series of stories," says Bradley. "The warmth and affection that H. E Bates has generated through his books is so uplifting.“
The role of Pop Larkin was originally played by David Jason in The Darling Buds of May.
Joanna Scanlan, Ma Larkin
“What better comfort could there be from all we have endured in recent years than the rolling laughter and outsize hugs of Ma and Pop?" adds Joanna. "It’s an honour to help bring The Larkins to the nation’s devices!”
The role of Ma Larkin was originally played by Pam Ferris in The Darling Buds of May.
Sabrina Bartlett, Mariette Larkin
“I am really REALLY excited to take on the role of Mariette Larkin in this new adaptation of H.E. Bates novels. It’s just the perfect dose of escapism we all need.”
The role of Mariette was originally played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in The Darling Buds of May.
Tok Stephen, Cedric 'Charley' Charlton
“I am thrilled to be cast as Charley in such a beloved and wonderful show. I hope to impress fans of the original novels with our version."
The role of Cedric was originally played by Philip Franks in The Darling Buds of May.
Completing the Larkin family on screen are Lydia Page (Primrose Larkin), Liam Middleton (Montgomery Larkin), Lola Shepelev (Victoria Larkin), Davina Coleman (Zinnia Larkin) and Rosie Coleman (Petunia Larkin).
Other cast members include Peter Davison (the Vicar), Kriss Dosanjh (Brigadier), Amelia Bullmore (Miss Edith Pilchester), Seeta Indrani (Miss Chand), Robert Bathurst (Johnny Delamere), Stephen Hagan (Tom Fisher), Francesca Waterworth (Libby Fothergill), Barney Walsh (PC Harness), Tony Gardner (Alec Norman) and Selina Griffiths (Norma Norman).
The Larkin’s Christmas Special
Did you see the Christmas Special of The Larkins? You can catch up on the Christmas special on the ITV hub here.
Bradley Walsh: 'I was born to play Pop Larkin!'
We chatted to Bradley Walsh to find out how he's found playing this iconic role of Pop Larkin.
“I love playing him – I really do! I’ve never had the chance to play someone quite like him before. To play this guy who’s laughing all the time and laughing with his family, having fun with his wife and his children and the whole community, and to see him say to everyone, ‘Come on, do you know what? We’ll have fun!’
"It’s just a wonderful thing to do, it really is. Pop Larkin is the kind of man you’d like to spend a day, an evening, a weekend with in the pub. If you want anything he can get it, he’s always looking for a deal, and why not? He cares about his family and he loves his family being around him. He’s the kind of dad you’d have wanted, as well – he even lets his kids drive his truck! He loves everyone. He really does. He actually says it as a line in the script – ‘You know I love everyone and I think everyone loves me’. He is a genuinely, genuinely nice man and there’s not a bad bone in his body.”
The late Fifties world in rural Kent which the Larkins inhabit seems especially attractive in these troubled times.
“This is a big family values show,” Bradley goes on. “It’s all about caring for and loving your nearest and dearest. In these strange and worrying months we’ve all lived through, these things have become more important than ever. I think the pandemic has brought a lot of people closer together and they’ve realised how much they miss people in their lives. How we should stop rushing around so much, stop chasing and spend more time with the people we love.”
There’s also an undeniably nostalgic element to the show – a genre known as ‘Bath Night’ TV. It’s a format that’s proving to be very popular – the success of Channel Five’s rebooted All Creatures Great and Small being a prime example.
“I think we all love a bit of nostalgia – especially at the moment,” Bradley adds. “The Larkins takes you back to the days when none of that rushing around existed, there were no mobile phones, there was no internet, when you needed something you had to go and ask a person for it. I think we can learn an awful lot from looking at a family like this. I’m so glad that the great British public seem to be taking it to their hearts. It’s a lovely, warm, nostalgic watch that’s beautifully shot with lovely warm colours on screen. You can sit down, relax and think, ‘Do you know what? This is like living in the Fifties and early Sixties again’.”
It’s also a veritable food fest with the Larkin’s kitchen table permanently groaning with Ma’s delicious home-made ‘grub’.
“And it is real food!” Bradley reveals. “I just couldn’t resist it! I’ve put on eight pounds! In fact, I’m having to have some new suits made for The Chase to accommodate the new post- Pop Larkin me!”
The Darling Buds of May remake: The Larkins trailer
Commenting on the books the new series is based upon, screenwriter Simon Nye says, "The novels are short, hilarious and magical. We will be expanding the Larkins’ world a little and can’t wait to immerse ourselves in this glorious countryside idyll.”
The book and its sequels were last adapted 30 years ago as The Darling Buds of May and became one of ITV’s all time highest rated television comedy dramas winning critical acclaim and audience approval.
In an era when few happy, long-term marriages are depicted on screen, one of the most heart-warming aspects to The Larkins is Pop and Ma’s obviously joyous one.
“Pop loves and adores his wife who’s played by the wonderful Joanna Scanlon,” says Bradley who’s been happily married to wife Donna for 25 years and with whom he shares son Barney (24). “They’ve grown up together, they have exactly the same ideals, the same values, the same ambitions and the same aspirations. They love each other, their family, life on the farm… They just love life! Pop’s very charming – especially towards the female species – but his relationship with Ma is so firm and so solid she doesn’t mind his odd bit of flirting.
“Sparks really did fly when Jo Scanlon and I were in bed together! The first episode we filmed under the covers was one of the most frightening of my life! Jo as Ma was wearing a nylon nightie and I had to have a crew member holding a lightening conductor for me to grab so I could earth myself!”