User reviews

I find it hard to believe that some of the reviewers can be so harsh on this series, I find it so watchable, light and easy viewing, but somehow totally engrossing. The second series has built on the success of the first, and managed to build and develop the series further. Who hasn't thought about upping sticks and moving to the sun?

I love how the series has managed to show the family's move as turbulent and wonderful at the same time. The production truly makes the most of the glorious location, it's pure escapism.

Keeley Hawes is an actress of supreme talent, and whether she's playing the tough cop Lindsay Denton from Line of Duty, or the Home County's finest here, she adds something to everything she does. The characters are wonderfully observed, each quirky in their own right, and the use of animals is always lovely.

Sad to see it come to an end at Series four, but perhaps time enough.

Heart warming, easy viewing. 8/10

While I have some empathy to other reviewers who are disappointed this series strays from the original source materials of Gerald Durrell, I have no such concerns. I haven't read any of them. Instead, I see this as a charming, sun baked, Mediterranean-blue inspired bit of froth. The family is suitably wacky, the scenery is stunning and the script is full of good fun. Opa!

I really enjoyed this first season and am baffled by the bad reviews. A few people actually seem angry. This is a very charming show set in 1935 about a family who move to Corfu from England. A widowed mother with four children, all trying to grow up and find their way not only in new culture but as teenagers discovering themselves. The youngest, Gerry, is a love with his big heart for all kinds of animals, as he tries to rescue, home them, love them and learn from them. It's really a shame that some reviewers find him self centered for he is the least self centered of all the children. The island is beautiful, the characters (including the wonderful Leslie Caron) are quirky and real all at the same time. All of life comes to play in this series. I plan to watch it again and hope for a second season. It's an adventure of life, family, evolving, friendship, love and nature. A bonus for me that Gerry loves the animals and how he tends to them with so much love.

Totally against the grain of the other reviews here I love this. I haven't read the book since school so basically I have forgotten it. That gives me the advantage of watching this as an original work (not an adaptation). And I love it, I love the characters, the actors, the direction and the cinematography. Overall it is just charming, crammed full of dry wit and it's a bit of a page turner as I can't wait for the next episode. Margo's besotted face is a delight, Leslie's imperialist stomping around with guns and suitable opaque wit is a hoot, Larry's fey artist trip just sucks you in and gets you ready for the 'Quartet', Mrs Durrell is like a real Mary Poppins and Gerry (well he, sacrilegiously, is the weak link for me, I don't really care about the animals). I usually hate this kind of family thing but with this I am a convert. So if you are not a stickler for adaptation fidelity and you want a smile on your face for an hour a week then watch this.

One thing you Brits have across the pond is some outstanding shows. Man this is such a well made series and so worth watching. The acting is perfect from every character and the story lines are just outstanding. Im done watching Hollywood TV cause it absolutely sucks compared to British shows. Bottom line is I am a United States Marine... I love my country but the TV over here sucks!!!! I am Definitely not the demographics the show was looking to reach. So If a guy like me can enjoy it, anyone can. I was totally hooked after the very 1st episode. Watch and enjoy cause this is simply one of the best shows I've ever watched... I'd fly over there on my dime just to be an extra on a show of this caliber... Well done!!! Well done!!!

I'm almost at the end of season one and enjoying it very much. While the books are written by Gerald (Gerry), the series, so far, has gone on to expand on the lives of the entire family, and from a more adult perspective (romance!). It feels like you're getting to see more of what happened behind the scenes. Highly recommend, especially if you enjoy British TV or historical settings.

This seies get better with each new season. I love the crazy characters and the scenery! I have laughed out loud so many times, I can't wait to see every new episode. I hope there are many more seasons to come! What a gem, bravo! Or as the greeks say "siharitiria".

There has been substantial criticism of this series' failure to accurately portray the source material about the Durrells. Not having read the books, I cannot use them as a comparison. So I am judging on the series itself, and comparing it to other presentations of more modern material on Masterpiece. In that light, I have thoroughly enjoyed it. The actors, especially those portraying the children bring real spirit to the four quirky kids. The photography captures the brightness of Corfu, the sky and sea are brilliant blue. The countryside captures the rustic life of the 1930's. The animals add a realistic and fun realism to the family's life. Is it the best Masterpiece ever? No, because the story doesn't lend itself to high adventure and suspense. But it is an enjoyable series that kept me interested in the family's story.

I'm so very glad I've never read the books so I'm able to watch the show and enjoy it for what it is: a touching, brilliantly produced coming of age story / mature romance / family drama.

Imagine if your father has died and your mother, in a fit, decides to move to a completely different part of the world. You have crazy, interesting siblings

The Durrells does everything right. The actors have convinced me I've travelled through time and am actually watching a real British family living in 1930s Corfu, I lose myself in the beauty of the island due to some magic the cinematographers have cast (or maybe it's just incredible skill), and the director does what a director should do, they make you forget they exist.

Like many others, I repeatedly devoured the books by Gerald Durrell as a child, especially the Corfu trilogy, and was very sad to discover that the author passed away in my late teens. I also read some of Larry Durrell's writing and watched a documentary "Gerald Durrell in Russia", however I did not see the 1987 TV show (nor the 2015 movie). I am not English, so the Durrellian universe was much smaller in my reality of a post-soviet CEE country; nevertheless I regard it a vital part of my growing up and it brightened many a day back then. So I was really happy when I stumbled upon the TV show on the Durrell's tonight, keen on being reunited with little Garry, mercurial Les, Larry the intellectualist, girly Margo and all the other strange, goofy and dear characters roaming the emerald Greek island . I understand that expectations are high when it comes to childhood favorite reads and after the first episode it's pretty safe to say the show did not overwhelm me either, but I really enjoyed the different perspective on the adventures and struggles of this eccentric family I feel I know almost like my own.

While in the books you watch the family story through the eyes of a young boy keen on nature, in this show it's the grown-up perspective of a mother trying to survive with 4 intense teenagers on a beautiful yet unfamiliar island with no electricity, little money and very basic language skills. It's not all blue skies, sparkling green see, dazzling sun and the perpetual summer holidays feeling the books enchant you with. But watching the show, it's easy to imagine the small and bigger dramas behind Gerald Durrell's lighthearted and funny family portrait, making it a more real and less funny account. The show seems to unravel in a somewhat bumpy and chaotic way, with some originally hilarious scenes becoming more awkward than funny and I can't help the feeling the actors are neither able to play to their full capacity nor do they seem to harmonize with each other particularly well. But slowly the familiar feeling seeps in and the moment you see young Gerry's (Milo Parker) bright eyes widen up in thrill with some odd wildlife, you know you will want to watch the next episode. As a sworn Durrell fan I wouldn't miss it!

With most recent TV dramas being centred on sex, money and or violence it's good to watch a drama based on a simpler and more relaxing storyline.

Typically British and well set in a more relaxed time this is a breath of fresh air, not a zombie in sight, no over beautiful over sexed unbelievable characters looking to solve world problems.

Louise Durrell, still missing her late husband and in financial straits, moves her family from dismal Bournemouth to the Greek island of Corfu. It is 1935, the world unaware of the calamity over the horizon, Corfu is sunny, easygoing, and cheap. The oldest son is Larry, an as yet unpublished writer. He is tall, clever, and witty, rather like a young Jonathan Miller. The next is Leslie, a bit dim and with a fetish for firearms. Margo is a tempestuous girl impatient to grow up. The youngest is Jerry, fascinated by wildlife and liable to bring it home with him. Add to the mix Spiros, taxi driver, protector, and general fixer, Dr Theo, also a naturalist, the enigmatic Sven, and Lugaretzia the housekeeper. These contrasting characters are well drawn, and well cast, the acting is fluid and convincing. Although this is essentially a comedy, nothing is played for laughs, the viewer must pay attention to get the full flavour of events. The standout performance is that of Milo Parker as Jerry. Milo oozes character, convincing as the intense and focused future renowned naturalist and author. The episodes follow on from each other, but are mostly self-contained. While certain themes recur, each story is unique. With only the years 1935 to 1939 available, The Durrells will never become a franchise, though a second series is on the way. Many years later Gerald Durrell described these years in My Family and Other Animals and two sequels. As the foreword admits, his brothers and sister remembered things differently, and the books are not historically accurate. My Family has been twice adapted for television, under that title, but The Durrells is not a third, though obviously it borrows the characters and situation. It is many years since I read My Family, some of the stories look familiar, but the writers have mined, rather than adapted, the material. It is probable that they have referred to Lawrence and Margo's writings. What we see on the screen is not an accurate account. For instance Larry was already married to Nancy and they lived in a separate house, Margo was eighteen, here she seems much younger. Lawrence was actually noticeably short. But I'm not complaining, this is a fictional evocation, not a dramatised documentary. Lawrence is portrayed much, I suspect, as he would have liked to see himself, and Keeley Hawes does a lovely job as the harassed, hopeful, scatty Louise. Gerald went on to fame and fortune, his books must have outsold those of his upmarket big brother many times over. Leslie, I read once, became a professional big game hunter in Africa. Margo lead a more interesting life than most of us. Louise never did re-marry. But who knows what the scriptwriters have in store for her? Many of the disappointed reviewers here are fans of Gerald's books who wanted a straight dramatisation of them. I am a long time fan of Lawrence's books, if not of the man, so I don't come to the series with the same preoccupations. So forget for the moment everything you've read, and enjoy the ride. Then if you haven't already, go out and read both Gerald and Lawrence.

The real story of the Durrells and Corfu is told by Michael Haag in "The Durrells of Corfu". Haag is a writer specialising in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, and knew Larry. The series does reflect the reality, even if romanticised and simplified. The book also follows the lives of the Durrells and their friends after the departure from Corfu. As of publication in 2017, Haag was working on a biography of Larry, which is yet to appear.

This bears no resemblance to the book. 1930s Greece has had contemporary mores imposed upon it. An English family from 1930s wouldn't have been so openly intimate. This is a bad habit we picked up in the early 80s. The eldest lad uses words like "friggin'". I'm of a generation of Englishmen who wouldn't use that word (it's modern American. Even I know this!) never mind those of us from the 1930s. All that said, it is nevertheless entertaining and amusing at times, if one can also get over the patronising portrayal of the locals. The book is a far superior work. If you don't like this series, don't let that put you off the book. The book did not need modernising. Lazy, sloppy scriptwriters with no grasp of history. " Friggin'" kids educated by the Internet.

This tells the story of a 1930's typical English family moving to Corfu and trying to make a life and living.

Normally I can't stand heart warming fuzzy stuff like this. Period stuff even more. Yet this is nice to watch. They are a nice family and get on most of the time. They occasionally fall out. They don't spend their time trying to get one over each other or others. There is little swearing and sex (no nudity other than the odd bare shoulder). It is just a nice program to watch.

I have never read the books and never would. This though tugs at the heart strings and is generally a nice little program to watch with all the family.

This is true lighthearted comedy-drama at its best. Its happy, comforting and superbly well acted. Honestly this is the best thing to watch on a Sunday night with the family. Although it doesn't strictly follow the books accurately, and as a fan of the books that could of irritated me, however I thought the greater depth in which it explored the character was wonderful and made for great TV. The actors have a genuinely convincing chemistry that makes it even more enjoyable to watch. I would recommend this to everyone of all ages. I watched it every Sunday with my family and I'm gutted its come to an end. It was great news that it was renewed however and I cant wait for season 2 next year. 10/10

I only read one Durrell's book an it is not from the Corfu trilogy, so I was not familiar with it. On the first watch it was painful to see how obnoxious and stupid those children are. They started to live in the house with no water and electricity which is falling apart, with no money and most of the time without the proper food, and they are no help at all. Just concerned on their own selfish interests. I don't know if this is done for the comic effect or it is described like this in the books, but it was really annoying to watch. Fortunately series does have some charms and actors are good in portraying idiots in unusual situations in foreign country so I have stuck to it and after fourth episode I have learned to love it. As they adjusted more to the life on Corfu it became much easier to watch they predicaments and strange reactions and eventually they grow somehow on you. Some things are, I assume, better explained in the books. Like, how did they manage to feed all those animals with so little food even for themselves, but that's television for you. I think the lesson from this story is: bigger the idiot more luck you have. I am looking forward to the second season.

I've read the Corfu trilogy written by Gerry. It was a wonderful series of books. Normally I don't much like a movie or tv series "based on" on the books. They tend to lose the nuance and feeling of reading the entire narrative. In this series (I'm only on season 1), I feel like they've captured the characters AND are giving us what we missed in the books: a more adult perspective. When reading, I really wanted to know more about the mother and siblings and the series adeptly takes on the challenge. It's like being able to find out so much more of what happens to your favorite characters. Highly recommend.

As a parent, I find this series to be a horror show. I began watching it because I absolutely adore Keeley Hawes, and I have always delighted in her countless, fabulous performances. I had hoped to enjoy a faithful rendition of the books, but was horrified by the way the children were portrayed as entitled wasters who refused, in the most impolite fashion, to help their widowed mother who was willing to uproot her entire life and move to Corfu in order to save them from a life of poverty in England. Considering how disgustingly the children behave, I can only assume that she has overindulged these monsters since day one. I detest them all, and they manifest the most hated stereotypical behavior of English speaking people, expecting all cultures to adapt to the English language and customs, even when those people are in their own countries. That being said, due to the location, the cinematic quality and the outstanding performances of the supporting cast - who doesn't still love Leslie Caron (the enchanting "Gigi" of my youth) as the darling Countess Mavrodak? Anna Savaa (Lugaretzia), Alexis Georgoulis (Spiros Halikiopoulos), Yorgos Karamhios (Theo Stephanides)are outstanding actors and create adorable characters. I have now finished episode 4, and my disgust with the members of the entire Durrell family is beginning to subside. For some unknown reason, the brats have suddenly become aware that their mother would do anything in the world to bring them happiness. So, if you can make it to episode 4, the series may improve enough to be a worthwhile expenditure of your viewing time.

Another win by Masterpiece theater. I didn't expect great theater but it was a very entertaining hour every week. I liked all the characters and the stories and the scenery. Masterpiece has created some very good series which I have enjoyed watching. I would put most of them against anything on US network TV.

Congratulations to all involved in this. I've watched every one of all the three series, some episodes more than once on the ITV 4 repeats. Everything centres on Keeley Hawes and although her performance is truly memorable, going seamlessly from near farce to deep sadness, every one of the cast is excellent and obviously 'get it' which can only be because of spot-on direction. The BBC must be gnashing their teeth at not snapping up Simon Nye. There seem to be quite a few jaded individuals who hated The Durells but I'm at a loss as to work out why.

Started off quite funny, entertaining and different but unfortunately has deteriorated over this last season. The storylines are very silly and the over acting has become ridiculous, especially Keeley Hawes. What is she thinking? The books are much better and time better spent reading them.

I'm nuts about anything Greek, and I'm trying my best with this series- but I'm struggling. Firstly the 'children' are completely off-putting(apart from the youngest - Gerry- who is yet to develop an 'attitude') I can't warm to any of the others. It's the 1930's- yet the children consistently refer to their mother as not having enough sex - and other over-sexualised comments - really? Again- it's the 1930s -and almost all the islanders they talk to have a good grasp of English. Really? I go to Greece regularly- and even In 2019 it's unusual to find anyone over 50 who speaks English. The supposed humour is, well, poor and tiresome. I'm 4 episodes in and genuinely haven't laughed - the only reason I continue with it is I'm hoping it gets better. The island setting with the Greek backstory is the only reason I'm sticking with this. Please get better....