While The Larkins has returned to ITV screens, one actress who didn't come back is Sabrina Bartlett.
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The Bridgerton star played Mariette, the eldest daughter of Pop and Ma Larkin, in season 1, but has been recast for the second season.
She was replaced by Joelle Rae in the series which follows on from the 2021 Christmas special where Mariette got engaged to Charley (Tok Stephens)
Read on for everything you need to know about why Sabrina Bartlett left The Larkins cast and who has replaced her as Mariette.
Why did Sabrina Bartlett leave The Larkins?
Sabrina Bartlett as Mariette Larkin The Larkins season 1. ITV
It was revealed in February 2022 that Sabrina Bartlett was leaving The Larkins after one season in the role of eldest daughter Mariette Larkin.
At the time, The Daily Mail reported that her departure was due to a "sensitive" on-set "disagreement", although her publicist told the publication that it was because of "scheduling clashes".
Bartlett herself hasn't said anything publicly about her decision to leave the show.
Who plays Mariette in The Larkins season 2?
Joelle Rae as Mariette Larkin in The Larkins season 2. Objective Fiction / Genial Productions / ITV
The role of Mariette Larkin is taken on in season 2 by Joelle Rae, in a casting that was announced in May of this year.
Rae has previously made appearances in Emmerdale, as a character called Hannah back in 2021, as well as in Netflix series Get Even and in an episode of Rose Matafeo's Starstruck.
Rae revealed when speaking with The Sun that she trained as an actor with Primrose Larkin star Lydia Page, and that this connection helped her to settle in to the cast.
Rae said: "I actually trained with Lydia. I trained at a place called Television Workshop in Nottingham. We were never in the same play group together. Then obviously when I heard that she was in it as well it was like, 'Yeah! A familiar face!'
"Because coming into the cast, as somebody new it’s obviously always going to be quite daunting. So since filming, we’ve obviously got a lot closer."
Earlier this year, Ma Larkin star Joanna Scanlan said that the transition between the two actresses has "all gone very well" and that she thought viewers would find the change "pretty seamless actually".
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James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
