The Darling Buds of May (TV series) series ended, Ferris wished to film more episodes. Having performed it for radio in 1996, she theorised in 2008 that the reason the fifth book was never adapted for television was because the storyline featured Pop recovering from a heart attack, something the producers likely thought the audience would not want to see. In 2016, having filmed a cinema adaptation of another classic TV series, "Dad's Army", Zeta-Jones responded positively to suggestions that "The Darling Buds of May" might also be similarly remade, stating "I'd be playing Ma Larkin, but I'm up for it". Locally produced food and drink intentionally
The Darling Buds of May (TV series) on to Executive Produce the show, alongside Vernon Lawrence of Yorkshire Television. Bates had originally considered Bob Hoskins as ideal for the role of Pop, but Lawrence was of the view his increasing fame as a film actor would create problems. Jason was cast first, followed by Ferris and Franks. Finding an actor to fit with the novel's description of Mariette as a black-haired and olive-skinned beauty proved difficult, with over 300 rejected until Zeta-Jones was cast. With filming due to start, she had been spotted appearing in "42nd Street" at the Drury Lane Theatre. Each one-hour episode took two