The Larkins viewers brand show ‘absolutely awful’ and claim writers are ‘making things up as they go along’
THE LARKINS has been branded ‘absolutely awful’ by viewers, with claims the show’s writers are ‘making things up as they go along’. ITV’s comedy drama starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan, has had mixed reviews since its first airing last month. After the fifth episode aired on Sunday night, some were still not on over […]
THE LARKINS has been branded ‘absolutely awful’ by viewers, with claims the show’s writers are ‘making things up as they go along’.
ITV’s comedy drama starring Bradley Walsh and Joanna Scanlan, has had mixed reviews since its first airing last month.
After the fifth episode aired on Sunday night, some were still not on over by the series.
One wrote on Twitter: “#thelarkins didn’t think it could get any worse but I’m afraid it is, week by week, script, storylines, authenticity, the lot.”
Another added: “@ITV #thelarkins What rubbish, nothing like Darling Buds of May and nothing like life in Kent in the 50s. Don’t bother”.
“This is the worse programme ever not same as original cast. Should have left it where it was #thelarkins,” said a third.
While one added a meme of Britain’s Got Talent judge saying “absolutely awful”, as their reaction to the show.
The Larkins has been adapted by Men Behaving Badly writer Simon Nye, who also penned The Durrells for ITV, and is a new take on the novel by H.E. Bates.
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The role of Pop Larkin was made famous by Sir David Jason during the 1990s in the iconic Darling Buds of May.
With Walsh now taking over that character, there’s Sabrina Bartlett starring as Mariette, originally played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, plus Stephen Hagan as the village heartthrob Tom fisher.
One person tuning in mused: “As much as I admire Bradley Walsh. The series struggles, lacks real characterization.
“Rather @ITV re-ran Vera or The Darling Buds”.
Another added: “#TheLarkins is not what I imagined. The Tom character is one of the worst, poorly written characters in the series. Had to turn it off 10 minutes in.”
A viewer queried: “Just wondering if #SimonNye is happy to be known as the writer of the pile of crap called #TheLarkins ?
Commenting on one scene in particular, a viewer ranted: “#thelarkins I wonder who writes this stuff! and who thought sticking someone under a tree in the woods in 1950s!! pre Beatles Kent with an instrument (Sitar) that virtually nobody would have seen or heard of was a good idea!…..
“It all looks like it’s made up as they go along”.
‘WHAT RUBBISH!’
Despite this and a series of blunders on the programme, the show has been classified as a hit by series producers, with ITV already putting the wheels in motion for a second series.
The Sun exclusively revealed the follow-up could be filmed next year if the cast’s schedules align.
Bradley has a packed diary thanks to his other shows that include The Chase, Beat The Chasers, Take Off With Bradley & Holly and Breaking Dad.
A TV insider said: “The Larkins has turned out to be the Sunday night hit they hoped it would be.
“The show has got around 4million viewers an episode.
“But they have been thrilled by the fact it’s been watched by almost an equal number on the ITV Hub.
“Bradley is particularly enthusiastic about a sequel because he’s very much taken ownership of the role of Pop Larkin.”
The final episode of the six-part series will air on Sunday and a Christmas special has been commissioned.
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