British Comedy Guide
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.

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Series 1, Episode 5 - In Which Ma's Sister Bertha Comes To Visit

The Larkins
With the imminent arrival of her sister, Ma is beside herself and cleaning like a demon. Meanwhile Tom's plans for Bluff Court are speeding ahead and a crunch meeting at the village hall looks like giving him the planning permission he needs.

Further details

With the imminent arrival of her sister, Ma is beside herself and cleaning like a demon. Bertha, her husband Howard and their daughter Jemima are firm suburbanites who despise the countryside and in particular dirt and animals. Things aren't going very well between Mariette and Charley, so Tom makes his move.

Meanwhile Tom's plans for Bluff Court are speeding ahead, threats of pulling down Spreading Linda (a beloved tree) and flattening the countryside are worrying Miss Pilchester and other villagers. Pop smells self-interest from Alec Norman and his crew.

Back at the farm, Ma and the family are trying not to slap showboating, competitive Howard and Bertha. Finally Ma snaps and challenges her sister to a race, Jaguar vs Rolls Royce, much to Pop and Howard's concern.

A crunch meeting at the village hall looks like giving Tom Fisher the planning permission he needs. Primrose saves the day by bringing news from the planning office that Tom intends to flatten most of the village. Ma is winning the car race but sees how desperate Bertha is to win so lets her, restoring harmony to the sisters. But celebrations are interrupted by the discovery that Mariette, despite growing affection for Charley, has scarpered and is on her way to France.

Broadcast details

Date
Sunday 7th November 2021
Time
8pm
Channel
ITV1
Length
60 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Bradley Walsh Pop Larkin
Joanna Scanlan Ma Larkin
Sabrina Bartlett Mariette Larkin
Tok Stephen Cedric 'Charley' Charlton
Peter Davison Vicar
Barney Walsh PC Harness
Kriss Dosanjh Brigadier
Amelia Bullmore Miss Edith Pilchester
Seeta Indrani Miss Chand
Stephen Hagan Tom Fisher
Francesca Wilson Waterworth Libby Fothergill
Tony Gardner Alec Norman
Selina Griffiths Norma Norman
Lydia Page Primrose Larkin
Liam Middleton Montgomery Larkin
Lola Shepelev Victoria Larkin
Davina Coleman Zinnia Larkin
Rosie Coleman Petunia Larkin
Guest cast
Wil Johnson Old Reg
Victoria Grove Lil
Timmika Ramsay Poll Saunders
Seren Benbow-Hart Jemima
Andrew Bridgmont Planning Clerk
Kevin Eldon Howard
Geoffrey Nursey Mr Binns
Samantha Spiro Bertha
Claude Starling Jack Woodley
Victoria Wicks Mrs Fothergill
Yetunde Oduwole Mrs Charlton (Voice)
Writing team
Simon Nye Writer
Victoria Wicks Script Consultant
Production team
Andy de Emmony Director
Serena Cullen Producer
Ben Farrell Executive Producer
Charlotte Lewis Executive Producer
Sophie Clarke-Jervoise Executive Producer
Simon Nye Executive Producer
Toby Stevens Executive Producer
Bradley Walsh Executive Producer
Jane Harrison Line Producer
Martha Lake Post Producer
Cornelius Shea Post Producer
William Webb Editor
Lucy Spink Production Designer
Tracey Gillham Casting Director
June Nevin Costume Designer
Darran Bragg Director of Photography
Jill Stansfield Make-up Designer
Nick Green Composer
Maisie Robinson Graphics
Claire Grossmith 1st Assistant Director

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