The Durrells

In 1935 a widowed Louisa Durrell decides that staying in England is no longer an option for her and her four children, so she moves the family to Corfu in search of a simpler, cheaper life. They take up residence in a crumbling old mansion with no electricity and very little money, and their days quickly fill with domestic chaos, eccentric neighbors, and unexpected friendships. The siblings each respond in their own way to island life, from artistic restlessness to naturalist curiosity, and Louisa tries to hold the household together while new romances and small scandals reshape their future. The series keeps focus on family warmth and everyday mishaps rather than big plot twists.

The show premiered in 2016 and was created by Simon Nye, adapting Gerald Durrell's autobiographical Corfu books. Keeley Hawes leads as Louisa Durrell, joined by Josh O'Connor, Milo Parker, Daisy Waterstone, and Callum Woodhouse among the principal cast.

The series earned attention from British television awards and drew nominations for acting and production categories, reflecting appreciation for performances and period detail. Critics singled out the ensemble chemistry and the careful recreation of the 1930s setting.

On a cultural level the series brought Gerald Durrell's stories back into public view and made Corfu feel familiar to international audiences. Its sunlit, domestic scenes and eccentric characters became the image many viewers associate with the island, and interest in the Durrell family and Gerald's nature writing increased among readers and travelers.

Critical reception tended to be positive, reflected in a viewer score of 7.385 out of 10 from 117 votes. Reviewers and audiences praised the mix of gentle comedy and family drama, the focus on sibling relationships, and Gerald's early naturalist obsessions, with recurring themes of resilience, adaptation to change, and the odd comforts of an unconventional household.