<Li> Pam Ferris, as Florence Daisy "Ma" (Parker) Larkin, the mother of the family </Li> <Li> Catherine Zeta - Jones, as Mariette Charlton, née Larkin, eldest Larkin daughter </Li> <Li> Philip Franks, Cedric "Charley" Charlton, husband of Mariette </Li> <P> The actors playing the other Larkin children and grandchild were as below (listed in descending character age). All the children except those yet to be born appeared in the first episode . After appearing in the first six episodes, the actor playing Primrose was replaced, the second appearing from the seventh episode (the first Christmas special) onwards . The actors playing the roles of Oscar and John Blenheim first appear in episodes 1.5 and 2.1 respectively . Although a male character, John Blenheim was played by Daisy - May Bates, granddaughter of the author of the books . </P>

Where was darling buds of may a breath of french air filmed