The Durrells

Set against the picturesque backdrop of the idyllic Greek island of Corfu, the “The Durrells” is a heartwarming adaptation of renowned British naturalist Gerald Durrell’s autobiographical series, "The Corfu Trilogy." Produced by ITV and originally premiered in 2016, the series is a delightful blend of comedy and drama set in the 1930s. Front and center of this quirky, endearing family is Louisa Durrell, a recently widowed mother of four whose adventurous spirit and indomitable resilience steer the narrative through all four seasons of the show.

Louisa relocates her family - Lawrence, Leslie, Margo, and Gerald, from their mundane life in grey, drizzly England to sunny and exotic Corfu, driven by both financial struggles and a desperate desire to change their lives. Traversing rocky paths of several challenges, the unconventional family find respite amidst the vibrant wildlife and eccentric locals that fill the screen with rich characters and hilarious encounters.

Lawrence Durrell, the eldest of the Durrell siblings, is a budding writer with a keen eye for observing the people and the world around him—a character that eventually reflects in his real-life literary works. Leslie, the gun-obsessed middle brother, is an awkward character who has a flair for embarking upon ill-fated romances. Margo, the only girl among the siblings, is ditsy and innocent, frequently facing adolescent trials and tribulations severed with sharp wit and humor. Lastly, young Gerald (Gerry) is a born naturalist, with a heart full of love for all things living under the sun, on land, and in the sea—he is the character through whose eyes audiences discover the soul of Corfu and its vivid wildlife.

The genuine portrayal of the Durrell family’s experiences against a magnificent Greek backdrop provides a compelling exploration of nature-human interaction, mastered through Gerald Durrell’s recollections. This menagerie includes pelicans, scorpions, and tortoises, among numerous other exotic creatures that capture the narrative's essence through Gerry's perspective. This creates an endearing marriage between a human drama and a tribute to biodiversity, echoing the real-life Gerald Durrell's exceptional legacy.

While the Durrell's family dynamics form the heart of the show, the broader Corfu community isn't conversely neglected. The show is peppered with a host of delightful characters, including the charming and ever-helpful taxi driver Spiro Hakaiopulos, the disheveled British expat Theodore Stephanides, who becomes one of Gerry's earliest and most influential mentors, and the mildly eccentric Countess Mavrodaki. This ensemble keeps the narrative dynamic, exciting, and warmly humorous while providing a crucial cultural counterpoint to the Durrells.

At its core, “The Durrells” is not just a tale about an English family's escapades in a foreign land. It's an ode to new beginnings, the beauty of diversity—in both flora, fauna and human personalities, finding joy in the simplest things, and most importantly, daring to choose the untrodden path. The series transcends the boundaries of time and geographical location, presenting viewers with universal themes that resonate across decades and cultural distinctions.

The show’s success heavily relies on its expansive artistic canvas, with the sun-soaked landscapes of Corfu becoming as much a character in the narrative as the human inhabitants. The production value is top-notch, with meticulous efforts taken in recreating the historical period, from the costumes and European architecture to the detailed and authentic sets.

Above all, it is the excellent performances, with a stand-out portrayal by Keeley Hawes as Louisa Durrell, that lend the show an irresistible allure. The combination of authentic characters, outstanding performances, awe-inspiring locations, and heartwarming storylines make “The Durrells” a classic in its own right— a timeless ode to life, love, and nature.

Whether you're drawn in by the irresistible charm of the quirky Durrell family, the graphic depiction of nature, the humorous anecdotes, or the desire for an escape to a sun-drenched Mediterranean paradise, "The Durrells" provides an enchanting canvas. It isn't just an episodic journey you embark on but a full immersion into a world framed by nature's unending beauty, human eccentricities, historical lures, and a family’s quest for their place in the world.