The Larkins is a comedy-drama series that follows the adventures of Ma and Pop Larkin and their six children in 1950s rural Kent. The show is based on the novels by H.E. Bates, which were previously adapted as The Darling Buds of May in the 1990s. The show stars Bradley Walsh, Joanna Scanlan, Joelle Rae, and Peter Davison, among others.
The second season of The Larkins concluded in November 2022, leaving fans wondering if there will be a third season of the show. In this article, we will answer this question and provide you with some updates and facts about the show.
Will There Be a The Larkins Season 3?
The Larkins has not been officially renewed for a third season by ITV yet, but there is still hope for the fans of the show. The show has been well-received by the viewers and critics, and has attracted a loyal fan base. The show has also been praised for its charming and nostalgic portrayal of the 1950s, its colourful and quirky characters, and its heartwarming and humorous stories.
However, there is one major obstacle that could prevent the show from returning for a third season: the busy schedule of its star, Bradley Walsh. Walsh, who plays Pop Larkin, the charismatic and eccentric patriarch of the family, has revealed that he does not have enough time to film a third season in 2023, due to his commitments to other ITV shows, such as The Chase and Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad. Walsh said that filming a season of The Larkins takes 14 weeks, and he does not have that much availability in his calendar.
Walsh also said that he is trying to work out a way to do a special episode of The Larkins, and that the writer, Simon Nye, is working on that right now. He added that he loves the show and that the delay of the third season is purely down to his lack of time, not anything else. He also dismissed the rumours that the show was cancelled due to low ratings, saying that the ratings were fine and that the show was fantastic.
Therefore, it is possible that The Larkins will return for a third season in 2024, or at least for a special episode in 2023, if Walsh can manage to fit it in his schedule. However, this is not confirmed yet, and we will have to wait for an official announcement from ITV or the show’s creators.
What Could Happen in The Larkins Season 3?
The Larkins season 2 ended with a happy and festive note, as the Larkin family celebrated Christmas together, along with their friends and neighbours. The season also saw some major developments for the characters, such as Mariette’s pregnancy, Primrose’s romance with the Reverend Candy, and Mr Jerebohm’s reconciliation with his wife, Pinkie.
If the show returns for a third season, we can expect to see more of the Larkin family’s adventures and mishaps, as they deal with the challenges and joys of life in the countryside. We can also expect to see more of the relationships and conflicts between the characters, such as Mariette and Charley’s marriage, Primrose and the Reverend’s courtship, and Mr Jerebohm and Pinkie’s business ventures.
The show could also introduce some new characters or bring back some old ones, such as the tax inspector Mr Charlton, who was absent in the second season, or the mysterious Uncle Perce, who was mentioned but never seen in the show. The show could also explore some new themes or topics, such as the social and cultural changes of the 1950s, the impact of the Cold War, or the emergence of rock and roll.
Who Are the Cast and Characters of The Larkins?
The Larkins features a talented and diverse cast of actors, who bring the characters of H.E. Bates’s novels to life. Here are the main cast and characters of the show:
- Bradley Walsh as Pop Larkin: Walsh is a well-known actor, comedian, and presenter, who has appeared in many TV shows, such as Doctor Who, Law & Order: UK, and Coronation Street. He is also the host of the popular quiz show The Chase, and the travel show Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad, which he co-stars with his son, Barney Walsh, who also plays PC Harness in The Larkins.
- Joanna Scanlan as Ma Larkin: Scanlan is an award-winning actress and writer, who has starred in many comedy and drama shows, such as The Thick of It, Getting On, No Offence, and The Girl. She is also the co-creator and co-writer of the acclaimed sitcom The Other One, which she also appears in.
- Joelle Rae as Mariette Larkin: Rae is a rising star who has made her TV debut in The Larkins, playing the role of Mariette, the eldest daughter of the family, who is married to Charley, a former tax inspector. Rae is a black actress, who has brought a new and diverse perspective to the character, who was previously played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, a white actress, in the 1990s adaptation.
- Tok Stephen as Cedric ‘Charley’ Charlton: Stephen is a mixed-race actor, who plays the role of Charley, Mariette’s husband, who works as a salesman for Mr Jerebohm. Stephen has previously appeared in other TV shows, such as Poldark, Grantchester, and The Spanish Princess.
- Lydia Page as Primrose Larkin: Page is a young actress, who plays the role of Primrose, the second daughter of the family, who is in love with the Reverend Candy, the local vicar. Page has previously appeared in other TV shows, such as The Bay, The Irregulars, and The A List.
- Maxim Ays as Reverend Candy: Ays is a mixed-race actor, who plays the role of Reverend Candy, Primrose’s boyfriend, who is a young, handsome, and progressive clergyman, who has a passion for music and motorcycles. Ays is a newcomer to the show, who joined the cast in the second season. He has previously appeared in other TV shows, such as The Crown, The Nevers, and The Pursuit of Love.
- Julian Rhind-Tutt as Mr Jerebohm: Rhind-Tutt is a veteran actor, who plays the role of Mr Jerebohm, a wealthy and eccentric American businessman, who is the owner of a perfume company and a friend of the Larkins. Rhind-Tutt is also a newcomer to the show, who joined the cast in the second season. He has previously appeared in many TV shows, such as Green Wing, The Hour, and Harlots.
- Morgana Robinson as Pinkie Jerebohm: Robinson is a comedian and actress, who plays the role of Pinkie Jerebohm, Mr Jerebohm’s wife, who is a glamorous and flamboyant former actress, who has a flair for drama and comedy. Robinson is also a newcomer to the show, who joined the cast in the second season. She has previously appeared in many TV shows, such as The Windsors, House of Fools, and Very Important People.
- Peter Davison as the Brigadier: Davison is a legendary actor, who plays the role of the Brigadier, a retired army officer, who is a neighbour and a friend of the Larkins, and who has a crush on Ma. Davison is best known for playing the fifth Doctor in Doctor Who, and has also appeared in many other TV shows, such as All Creatures Great and Small, At Home with the Braithwaites, and Law & Order: UK.
- Ossian Perret as Montgomery Larkin: Perret is a child actor, who plays the role of Montgomery, the eldest son of the family, who is a clever, adventurous, and rebellious boy, who likes to cause trouble and have fun. Perret has previously appeared in other TV shows, such as The Crown, The Nevers, and The Last Kingdom.
- Dolly Bancewicz as Zinnia Larkin: Bancewicz is a child actress, who plays the role of Zinnia, the third daughter of the family, who is a cheerful, curious, and friendly girl, who likes to help her parents and siblings. Bancewicz has previously appeared in other TV shows, such as The Witcher, The Irregulars, and The Feed.
- Oscar Morgan as Petunia Larkin: Morgan is a child actor, who plays the role of Petunia, the youngest daughter of the family, who is a cute, innocent, and playful girl, who loves animals and nature. Morgan has previously appeared in other TV shows, such as The Crown, The Nevers, and The Last Kingdom.
- Milo Panni as Oscar Larkin: Panni is a child actor, who plays the role of Oscar, the youngest son of the family, who is a quiet, shy, and gentle boy, who likes to read and learn. Panni has previously appeared in other TV shows, such as The Crown, The Nevers, and The Last Kingdom.
Interesting Facts About The Larkins
The Larkins is a show that is full of interesting facts and trivia, both behind the scenes and on the screen. Here are some of them:
- The show is based on the novels by H.E. Bates, who was inspired by his own experiences of living in the countryside and observing the rural life and people. Bates wrote five novels featuring the Larkin family, which were published between 1958 and 1963. The novels are: The Darling Buds of May, A Breath of French Air, When the Green Woods Laugh, Oh! To Be in England, and A Little of What You Fancy.
- The show is not the first adaptation of Bates’s novels. The novels were previously adapted as a TV series in the 1990s, starring David Jason, Pam Ferris, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The series was also called The Darling Buds of May, and it was a huge hit, attracting millions of viewers and launching the career of Zeta-Jones. The series ran for three seasons and 20 episodes, between 1991 and 1993.
- The show has made some changes and updates from the original novels and the previous adaptation, such as changing the name of the show from The Darling Buds of May to The Larkins, recasting some of the characters, introducing some new characters, and adding some modern and diverse elements to the story and the cast. For example, the show has cast Joelle Rae, a black actress, as Mariette, who was previously played by Zeta-Jones, a white actress. The show has also cast Maxim Ays, a mixed-race actor, as the Reverend Candy, who was not in the novels or the previous adaptation.
- The show has also kept some of the iconic and memorable aspects of the original novels and the previous adaptation, such as the catchphrase “Perfick!”, which is Pop’s way of saying “Perfect!”, the theme song “The Young Ones” by Cliff Richard, which plays at the end of each episode, and the opening credits, which feature the illustrations of Ronald Searle, the famous cartoonist who illustrated the covers of Bates’s novels.
- The show is filmed on location in Kent, the county where the story is set and where Bates lived and wrote his novels. The show uses some of the same locations as the previous adaptation, such as Pluckley, which is the village where the Larkins live, and Buss Farm, which is the farm where the Larkins work and reside. The show also uses some new locations, such as Chilham, which is the town where the Larkins shop and socialize, and Leeds Castle, which is the castle where Mr Jerebohm and Pinkie stay.
Conclusion
The Larkins is a comedy-drama series that follows the adventures of Ma and Pop Larkin and their six children in 1950s rural Kent. The show is based on the novels by H.E. Bates, which were previously adapted as The Darling Buds of May in the 1990s. The show stars Bradley Walsh, Joanna Scanlan, Joelle Rae, and Peter Davison, among others.
The show has not been renewed for a third season yet, but there is still hope for the fans of the show. The show has been well-received by the viewers and critics, and has attracted a loyal fan base. The show has also been praised for its charming and nostalgic portrayal of the 1950s, its colourful and quirky characters, and its heartwarming and humorous stories.
The show is filmed on location in Kent, the county where the story is set and where Bates lived and wrote his novels. The show uses some of the same locations as the previous adaptation, such as Pluckley and Buss Farm, and some new locations, such as Chilham and Leeds Castle.
FAQ
How can I watch The Larkins?
The Larkins airs on ITV, which is available on cable, satellite, and streaming platforms. You can also watch the show online on the ITV Hub website or app, or on other streaming services that carry the channel, such as BritBox, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu. You can also buy or rent individual episodes or seasons of the show on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play, or Vudu.
When will The Larkins season 3 premiere?
The Larkins season 3 has not been confirmed yet, but it is possible that it will premiere in 2024, or at least for a special episode in 2023, if Bradley Walsh can manage to fit it in his schedule. However, this is not confirmed yet, and we will have to wait for an official announcement from ITV or the show’s creators.
Who is the author of the novels that The Larkins is based on?
The Larkins is based on the novels by H.E. Bates, who was a British writer and journalist, who wrote over 100 books and short stories, mostly about the rural life and people of England. He was born in 1905 and died in 1974. He is best known for his novels featuring the Larkin family, which were inspired by his own experiences of living in the countryside and observing the rural life and people.