ITV reboots The Darling Buds of May
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ITV has commissioned The Larkins, a new adaptation of HE Bates’ The Darling Buds of May from writer Simon Nye.
Produced by Objective Fiction, Genial Productions and OMG Scotland, the six-part drama will star Bradley Walsh (pictured) and Joanna Scanlan as Pop Larkin and his wife Ma. Abigail Wilson has written one of the episodes.
Nye said: “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 executive producers are Ben Farrell and Charlotte Lewis for Objective Fiction, Sophie Clarke-Jervoise and Simon Nye for Genial Productions and Toby Stevens for OMG Scotland. Walsh is also an executive producer.
The Larkins will be directed by Andy De Emmony and produced by Serena Cullen.
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.
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.
Walsh said of his new role: “I’m thrilled to be asked to be part of this much loved and iconic series of stories. 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!“
Scanlan remarked: “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!”
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