The Larkins release date: Cast, plot and latest news for Darling Buds of May adaptation
A new ITV adaptation of H. E. Bates's 1958 novel stars Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, as well as Joanna Scanlan and Peter Davison.
ITV's brand new adaptation of The Darling Buds of May, The Larkins, looks set to be one of the most popular British television shows of the autumn season, with a star-studded cast bringing life to its beloved source material.
Doctor Who and Coronation Street alum Bradley Walsh leads the cast as Pop Larkin, patriarch of a family who are at the heart of all the goings on in their quaint Kent village in the 1950s.
The show will also feature a guest appearance from his real-life son Barney Walsh, whom he regularly collaborates with on the popular Breaking Dad travelogue series.
Rounding out the rest of The Larkins cast are The Thick Of It star Joanna Scanlan and former Time Lord Peter Davison, while Bridgerton's Sabrina Bartlett takes the role originally held by Hollywood star Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Read on for everything you need to know about The Larkins on ITV, including start date and time on ITV.
When is The Larkins on TV?
CONFIRMED: The Larkins will premiere on ITV tonight, Sunday 10th October at 8pm. ITV officially confirmed the start date in September.
The series is expected to air every Sunday night for six weeks. For more information see our guide to when The Larkins episodes are released.
READ MORE:
- Meet the cast of The Larkins
- The Larkins review
- The Larkins episodes - how many are there in the first season?
- Bradley Walsh admits he wasn't familiar with Pop Larkin before taking the role
- The Larkins Christmas special - stars confirm festive return at end of 2021
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The Larkins cast: Who plays who?
Bradley Walsh plays Pop Larkin in The Larkins cast, taking on the role previously held by David Jason in the 1990s adaptation. When the casting was announced, Walsh said he was "thrilled" to be involved in the "much loved and iconic series of stories," adding: "The warmth and affection that H. E. Bates has generated through his books is so uplifting and I cannot wait to be part of the Larkin family. It’ll be a hoot!"
His wife Ma is played by The Thick of It star Joanna Scanlan, taking up the mantle from Pam Ferris. Scanlan said: "What better comfort could there be from all we have endured this year than the rolling laughter and outsize hugs of Ma and Pop? It’s going to be an honour to help bring The Larkins to the nation’s devices!"
And it's a real family affair as Bradley Walsh's son Barney Walsh will play village policeman PC Harness.
Lovers Charley and Mariette will be played by Tok Stephen and Bridgerton star Sabrina Bartlett (previously Philip Franks and Catherine Zeta-Jones) – and Bartlett described the series as the "perfect dose of escapism we all need right now."
Peter Davison has also joined the cast, playing the Vicar, while Robert Bathurst will play Johnny Delamere.
Further stars include Kriss Dosanjh (Brigadier), Amelia Bullmore (Miss Edith Pilchester), Seeta Indrani (Miss Chand), Stephen Hagan (Tom Fisher), Francesca Waterworth (Libby Fothergill), Tony Gardner (Alec Norman) and Selina Griffiths (Norma Norman).
Other members of the Larkin family are played by Lydia Page (Primrose Larkin), Liam Middleton (Montgomery Larkin), Lola Shepelev (Victoria Larkin), Davina Coleman (Zinnia Larkin) and Rosie Coleman (Petunia Larkin).
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What is The Larkins about?
The series follows the Larkin family, good-hearted folk who reside in the idyllic Kent countryside and often get into scrapes with authority.
Pop Larkin, a wheeler-dealer, and his wife Ma have six children, and are determined to enjoy life to the fullest (especially when that means enjoying the odd daytime cocktail).
The central focus is the love story between Pop and Ma's oldest daughter Mariette and village newcomer Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton. Charley is in the village to investigate the family's tax affairs, but is quickly distracted by his feelings for Mariette.
All is not smooth sailing, however, as Mariette has plans which don't involve men, and is also pursued by handsome and mysterious Tom Fisher.
This adaptation is written by Simon Nye (of The Durrells and Finding Alice), "with the aim of capturing the warmth, optimism and escapism of The Larkin family for a modern generation".
The Larkins trailer
ITV has released an upbeat, sunny trailer, introducing the Larkin family and getting us in the mood for the series. Check it out below.
While you're waiting to watch The Larkins, take a look at our other Drama coverage, or check out our TV guide to find out what's on TV tonight.