The Larkins first photo shows Bradley Walsh in Darling Buds of May reboot

Here is the first look at upcoming TV drama ‘The Larkins’. The series offers viewer a new fresh adaptation of HE Bates’ beloved novel The Darling Buds of May.

The book had previously been the basis of a hit comedy drama broadcast between 1991 and 1993 starring David Jason and Catherine Zeta-Jones, which aired in the early ’90s to huge popularity.

Destined for similar success for The Larkins, which sees Doctor Who star Bradley Walsh in the role of Sidney ‘Pop’ Larkin (previously played by Jason), while (The Thick of It, No Offence) star Joanna Scanlan plays his partner, Florence ‘Ma’ Larkin, taking over for Call The Midwife‘s Pam Ferris.

Further casting will be announced in 2021 before filming begins. 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.

Finding Alice co-writer Simon Nye is behind this latest adaptation, which will introduce a new generation of viewers to the charming countryside couple and their family, including daughter Mariette (Sabrina Bartlett) and her lover Charley (Tok Stephen).

The Larkins is also noteworthy for being the latest collaboration between Bradley Walsh and his son Barney, who previously worked together on the popular Breaking Dad travelogues.

Barney is due to play local policeman PC Harness and we suspect the writers won’t be able to resist some kind of reference to the rising star’s real-life parentage.

At the time of his casting in the iconic Pop role, Bradley Walsh said: “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!

Joanna Scanlan says filming in Kent for ITV’s The Larkins has been an ‘absolute delight’.

Eagle eyed readers of MarkMeets informed us that cast and crew had been filming at the Walpole Bay Hotel and Broadstairs seafront.

It’s likely to hit screens early 2022 rather than late 2021 as first expected.