The Larkins. Image shows left to right: Pop Larkin (Bradley Walsh), Ma Larkin (Joanna Scanlan)
The Larkins

The Larkins (2021)

  • TV comedy drama
  • ITV1
  • 2021 - 2022
  • 13 episodes (2 series)

Adaptation of H.E. Bates's novels about the eccentric, rural Larkin family, starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan. Also features Sabrina Bartlett, Tok Stephen, Peter Davison, Barney Walsh, Kriss Dosanjh and more.

The Larkins. Image shows from L to R: Ma Larkin (Joanna Scanlan), Pop Larkin (Bradley Walsh). Copyright: Objective Productions

Key details

Genre
Comedy Drama
Broadcast
2021 - 2022
Channel
ITV1
Episodes
13 (2 series)
Creator
H.E. Bates
Stars
Bradley Walsh, Joanna Scanlan, Sabrina Bartlett, Tok Stephen, Peter Davison, Barney Walsh, Kriss Dosanjh, Amelia Bullmore and more
Writers
Simon Nye and Victoria Wicks
Director
Andy de Emmony
Producers
Serena Cullen, Ben Farrell, Charlotte Lewis, Sophie Clarke-Jervoise, Simon Nye, Toby Stevens, Bradley Walsh, Andy de Emmony and more
Companies

Set in the late 1950s, 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.

In the idyllic and beautiful Kent countryside, known as the Garden of England, the Larkins have a 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 are fundamentally good-hearted people who are always happy to share what they have with others, despite the fact that what they have is sometimes obtained by unusual means! In a rather mean-spirited way their good heartedness is not always shared by certain members of the local community.

From government officials and snobbish second homeowners to aggressive urban developers, the Larkins often deal with threats to their idyllic way of life - but they never take things lying down.

Alongside their weekly battles with authority and snobbish villagers, the Larkins follows the love story between Mariette and village newcomer Cedric 'Charley' Charlton. Charley arrives in the village as an unworldly and officious accountant from the city, there to investigate the Larkins' tax affairs.

He is soon distracted by the beautiful Mariette, with whom he falls head over heels in love. However, he quickly discovers that he has a romantic rival in the form of the handsome and mysterious Tom Fisher. Mariette, on the other hand, may have plans of her own, which don't involve men.

Stream and download

Additional details

Also known as
  • The Darling Buds Of May (Working title)
Production
Location
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Sunday 10th October 2021 at 8pm on ITV1
Next repeats
  1. Series 1, Episode 3: Sunday at 4am on ITV1
  2. Series 1, Episode 4: Sunday 7th April at 3am on ITV1
Most recent repeats

Recording details

  • Romshed Organic Farm - Larkin family home (Link)
  • West Peckham (Kent) - Village scenes (Link)

Share this page