The Darling Buds of May (TV series) and 2.1, respectively. Although a male character, John Blenheim was played by Daisy-May Bates, granddaughter of the author of the books. Various other actors appeared in more than one storyline, i.e. in more than one double episode. Having been sold to MGM films in 1959, it wasn't until 1989 that Richard Bates, son of the author of the original books H. E. Bates, was able to purchase the rights to the novels. At the same time, Yorkshire Television were looking for a new project for David Jason, having starred for them in "A Bit of a Do". Richard Bates went
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