Bradley Walsh says ‘The Larkins’ ISN’T axed – but won’t be back for a while
The Larkins star Bradley Walsh has provided fans with an update on Season 3.
Set in 1950s Kent and based on the novels by H.E. Bates, previously adapted as The Darling Buds of May, the show returned last October for a second season.
ITV’s comedy-drama series launched in 2021 and has proven to be popular family viewing on Sunday evenings.
Watch the trailer here:
The latest season concluded at the end of November, but there’s been no news yet on a recommission.
There had been rumours that the future of The Larkins was in doubt, with speculation that disappointing ratings were to blame, despite the show pulling in a strong audience for ITV.
However, Bradley Walsh told ITV’s daytime chat show This Morning recently: “I’ve had quite a few calls about that in that [Season 2] might well be the last, because of some problem with the viewing figures.”
The actor, who plays Pop Larkin in the series, said: “The viewing figures were absolutely fine, there was nothing wrong with the viewing figures. They’re fantastic. In comparison to the first series, all went well.”
Unfortunately, Walsh did confirm that The Larkins won’t be back for a third season in 2023.
Due to his hectic schedule filming ITV hits like The Chase and Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad, the star says he simply doesn’t have the space in his calendar for a long drama series shoot.
The former Doctor Who star explained: “It’s a 14-week shoot, and I haven’t got time to do that this year. I actually don’t have 14 weeks, so it’s down to me, not anything else.”
On a more positive note, it sounds like the Larkins team are definitely still keen to make more episodes!
Walsh revealed: “We’re trying at this moment to get something together where we can do a special and I know [writer] Simon Nye’s working on that right now. So that’s what it’s all about.”
The Larkins previously aired a Christmas special in 2021.
Perhaps we could see another festive instalment later this year?
It’s always possible that ITV could decide to simply recast the character of Pop with another actor, having already replaced Bridgerton actress Sabrina Bartlett with a new Mariette Larkin in Season 2.
We think is unlikely though, as Bradley Walsh seems very fond of the “fantastic show,” saying: “[My son Barney] has worked on that with me as well.”
He added: “I loved it, it was brilliant, heartwarming, and [the Season 3 delay] was purely down to the fact that I have not got time to make another series at present.”
Hopefully a third season of The Larkins will air in 2024!
The Larkins is available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.