Acclaimed actress Sabrina Bartlett will be joining the cast of ITV’s new drama The Larkins, a reboot of nineties comedy classic The Darling Buds of May.
Bartlett is most known for her recent role as Sienna in huge Netflix hit Bridgerton. In this new adaptation of the H.E Bates novels she will be portraying the character of Mariette Larkin, originally played by the accredited Catherine Zeta-Jones. It was reported back in December that the co-stars to be joining her on screen will include the likes of Bradley Walsh as Pop Larkin and Joanna Scanlan as his wife Ma, following the footsteps of David Jason and Pam Ferris.
The series will share the lives of the Larkins, a working-class family from the Kent countryside. Set in the 1950’s, the story follows Pop, Ma and their six children as they live the idyllic farmland lifestyle whilst coping with snooty neighbours and threats from government officials. We will follow Bartlett on her own journey, a beloved love tale between Mariette and new village arrival Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton, who is an accountant that takes to the position of dealing with the family’s tax affairs and will be played by Tok Stephen.
ITV have said that the series “aims to capture the warmth, optimism and escapism of the Larkin family for a modern generation.” The series will be written by The Durrell’s screenwriter Simon Nye, who says he “plans on expanding the Larkins’ world a little. The novels are short, hilarious and magical. We can’t wait to immerse ourselves in this glorious countryside idyll.”
Bartlett has said in a statement “I am really, really excited to be taking on the role of Mariette, I can’t wait to bring these heart-warming stories to life alongside such a wonderful team. It’s just the perfect dose of escapism we all need right now”.
The six part series was due to start filming last year, but has been put on hold as a result of the pandemic. They’re now set to begin in the summer and the show is likely to be released on air in autumn or in the early months of 2022.
Danielle Saunders
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