Catherine Zeta-Jones Reflects on Overnight Fame From 'The Darling Buds of May'

Catherine Zeta-Jones has shared that her role as Mariette Larkin in the 1991 ITV period drama "The Darling Buds of May" transformed her into a celebrity overnight, significantly impacting her career trajectory.

The series, which depicted the life of the Larkin family in 1950s rural Kent and was based on H.E. Bates' book series, also starred David Jason as 'Pop' Larkin and Pam Ferris as 'Ma' Larkin. "The Darling Buds of May" aired for three seasons between 1991 and 1993, achieving high ratings and establishing Zeta-Jones as a household name and a prominent sex symbol in the UK.

Zeta-Jones, now 57, recounted on "The Graham Norton Show" that the sudden fame was not always a positive experience, noting that the public often perceived her more as a celebrity than an actor.

"That one hour of television changed my life," Zeta-Jones stated. "I became a celebrity overnight and people sort of forgot I was an actor."

Following her success in British television, Zeta-Jones transitioned to Hollywood. She appeared in the 1996 film "The Phantom" and gained wider recognition with the 1998 blockbuster "The Mask of Zorro," co-starring Antonio Banderas.

She explained that starting fresh in Los Angeles was crucial because she was unknown in America. "When I went to LA literally nobody knew me, which was a huge ego jolt at first but then extremely humbling, and ultimately very good for me to start afresh," she said.

Zeta-Jones went on to marry actor Michael Douglas in November 2000, and they have two children, Dylan and Carys.

Her current project is the Amazon Prime Video series "Kill Jackie," where she plays an art dealer targeted by assassins. Zeta-Jones described the role as a "gift," particularly as it allowed her to film in her hometown of Swansea and use her natural Welsh accent.

"It is a gift of a part," she said. "The show is crazy and high-octane and she is really crazy. It is one of those parts and, at 57, the kind of role that is very satisfying, to say the least. Going home was just so incredibly wonderful. It was very fulfilling and to be able to use my own Welsh voice for the very first time was wonderful."

When asked about the possibility of a second season, Zeta-Jones expressed enthusiasm: "I'd love to do more - I am not done with her yet."

"The Graham Norton Show" airs on BBC One on Fridays at 10:40 p.m. and is available on BBC iPlayer.