‘All Creatures Great and Small’ star joins ‘Darling Buds of May’ remake
More cast members have been announced for ITV’s new version of The Darling Buds of May.
The Durrells creator Simon Nye is remaking the classic TV series, which ran for three seasons in the early 1990s.
Based on the original novels by H.E. Bates, the brand new six-part comedy-drama is titled The Larkins.
Set in the late 1950’s, The Larkins will tell 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.
It was confirmed last year that Bradley Walsh (Doctor Who, Law & Order: UK) and Joanna Scanlan (Notes on a Scandal) will lead the cast of The Larkins as Pop Larkin and his wife Ma.
Bridgerton actress Sabrina Bartlett will play Mariette Larkin, alongside Tok Stephen (Grantchester) as Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton.
We can now reveal that Peter Davison will be playing the Vicar!
The 70-year-old English actor is best known as Tristan Farnon in the BBC’s original All Creatures Great and Small series, and for starring in Doctor Who in the ’80s.
Most recently, he guest starred in 2020’s festive Call the Midwife special.
Other familiar faces will include Robert Bathurst (Downton Abbey) as Johnny Delamere, Tony Gardner (Last Tango in Halifax) as Alec Norman, and Amelia Bullmore (Gentleman Jack) as Miss Edith Pilchester.
They’ll be joined by Kriss Dosanjh as the Brigadier, Stephen Hagan as Tom Fisher, Seeta Indrani as Miss Chand, Francesca Waterworth as Libby Fothergill, Barney Walsh as PC Harness, and Selina Griffiths as Norma Norman.
The rest of the Larkin family will be played by Lydia Page (Primrose Larkin), Liam Middleton (Montgomery Larkin), Lola Shepelev (Victoria Larkin), Davina Coleman (Zinnia Larkin), and Rosie Coleman (Petunia Larkin).
The official synopsis reads: “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.
“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 is filming now and it’s expected to premiere on ITV in the UK later this year.
The show’s US broadcaster hasn’t yet been confirmed, but we expect it to air on PBS, which was the American home of The Durrells.
The complete original The Darling Buds of May series is available on DVD on Amazon.