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Zeta-Jones' Big Break: Pure Good Fortune?
3 Jul
Summary
- Catherine Zeta-Jones's role was secured by chance in a TV show reception.
- The producer first saw her as an understudy on a musical.
- Danny DeVito was once considered for a major role in the series.
Pip Burley, the producer of the beloved 90s ITV series The Darling Buds of May, has shared how Catherine Zeta-Jones landed her breakout role. He discovered the Hollywood star by serendipity in a casting session's reception room. Burley noticed a striking young actress in a yellow dress and invited her to audition for the character Mariette, despite her not being officially listed for the part.
He recalled being struck by Jones's presence from her earlier work as a second understudy in the musical 42nd Street. Burley admitted that finding the right actress for Mariette had been challenging, as many auditioning actresses did not excite the production team. However, upon seeing Jones again, he immediately felt they had found their Mariette.
Burley also disclosed that the casting process involved other surprising considerations. Notably, American actor Danny DeVito was among those considered for the role of Pop Larkin. The production team sought actors with a "shortish, cheeky, funny" demeanor for the part, indicating a creative and open casting approach.
