Much-loved comedy drama The Darling Buds of May was one of ITV‘s biggest hits in the 1990s – and the cast were some of the most familiar faces on TV.
With remake The Larkins now on TV, we need to know what has happened to the members of the original Darling Buds cast!
Stars such as Sir David Jason (who played Pop Larkin, recast with Bradley Walsh in the role), and Catherine Zeta Jones have remained in the public eye.
But not every Darling Buds cast member went on to command such stardom.
So what have the series’ other memorable favourites been doing with themselves for the last thirty years?
Here’s everything you need to know!
Where are The Darling Buds of May cast now? Stephanie Ralph
Stephanie Ralph played Victoria, the youngest of the Larkin‘s kids until baby Oscar was born.
The actress was just eight when she played the part, and is now in her late thirties.
According to reports, Stephanie went on to work in her local pub in Kent.
It is thought she aspired to be an art therapist for children with special needs.
She told journalists that she “didn’t fancy” a career in acting.
Stephanie is reported to have said of her former co-stars: “When I see them all on TV I tell my mates, ‘I’ve worked with them.’
“They just tell me to shut up and make a cup of tea!”
Ian Tucker
Actor Ian played Monty Larkin, the eldest of the two Larkin lads.
He continued to act in the years following Darling Buds in series such as Touch of Evil and Pie In The Sky.
But, according to reports, Ian moved away from acting and, by the early 2000s, he worked as a petrol pump attendant.
It is believed Ian suffered with cystic fibrosis from childhood.
Despite his condition, Ian reportedly performed his own poetry at open mic nights.
He is reported to have reflected: “I was determined to make as much of my life as I could because of my illness and Darling Buds really helped me with that.”
Darling Buds of May cast: Abigail Rokison-Woodall
Abigail was the second actress to play Primrose Larkin, taking over from Julie Stichbury after six episodes.
After studying drama at LAMDA, she went on to do a PhD and became a Cambridge University lecturer.
Abigail continued in academia, specialising in Shakespeare for the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford upon Avon and the University of Birmingham.
Phillip Franks
Phillip, who played Mariette‘s husband Charley, has continued to work extensively in theatre, as both an actor and director.
The 66-year-old has also had memorable roles in Heartbeat, Absolutely Fabulous and Foyle’s War.
On several occasions in the 2000s, he appeared alongside Susie Dent in the ‘dictionary corner’ on Countdown.
Pam Ferris
Despite having TV credits including The Bill, Casualty, and Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit to her name, playing Ma Larkin seemed to open doors for Pam.
She went on to command TV roles in Cluedo, Middlemarch, Our Mutual Friend and Where The Heart Is in the 1990s.
And the 21st Century saw her cast in Clocking Off, Rosemary & Thyme, Little Dorrit and Call The Midwife.
Pam, 74, has also enjoyed cinematic success with her unforgettable turn as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, and in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Darling Buds of May cast: Catherine Zeta Jones
Darling Buds launched Catherine to international stardom.
She played eldest daughter Mariette.
After moving to Hollywood, she started getting co-star billing in films such as The Mask of Zorro and Entrapment.
She starred alongside Antonio Banderas and Sean Connery respectively.
But roles in films such as Traffic, Chicago and Ocean’s Twelve pushed her to another level.
Catherine, 53, also won an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and a Tony Award.
In 2010, she was given a CBE for her film and humanitarian work.
A mum-of-two, she married Michael Douglas in 2000.
Sir David Jason
Already a bona fide TV national treasure for his roles in Open All Hours and Only Fools and Horses by 1991, Sir David got to stretch his acting muscles more beyond comedy after Darling Buds ended in 1993.
As well as bagging the lead role in A Touch Of Frost, Sir David was also cast in All the King’s Men and Diamond Geezer.
The 82-year-old was knighted for services to acting in 2005.
He is still acting.
The TV legend will soon appear in the film Banking on Mr Toad, where he’ll play Arthur Quiller-Couch.
Read more: The Larkins star QUITS show following ‘disagreement on set’
The Larkins series 1 is available to watch on the ITV Hub. Series 2 starts from Sunday October 16 2022 at 8pm. The Darling Buds of May is also on the ITV Hub.
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