The Durrells

The Durrells (itv)
Series titles over painting of house and trees
Genre Drama
Based on The Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell
Written by Simon Nye
Theme music composer Ruth Barrett
No. of series 1
No. of episodes 6
Production
Executive producer(s) Lee Morris
Sally Woodward Gentle
Simon Nye
Producer(s) Christopher Hall
Cinematography Julian Court. Jams Aspinall
Running time 46-47 minutes
Production company(s) Sid Gentle Films
Masterpiece
co-production
Release
Original network ITV
Original release 3 April 2016 (2016-04-03) – present
External links
Website

The Durrells is a six-part ITV drama television series based on Gerald Durrell's three autobiographical books about his family's four years on Corfu 1935-1939,[1] which began airing on 3 April 2016.[2] The series is written by Simon Nye, directed by Steve Barron and Roger Goldby, produced by Christopher Hall and Executive Production is by Lee Morris and Sally Woodward Gentle.[3]

Story

The series begins in 1935, when Louisa Durrell suddenly announces that she and her four children will move from Bournemouth to the Greek island of Corfu. Her husband has died some years earlier and the family is experiencing financial problems. A Homeric battle ensues as the family adapts to life on the island which, despite a lack of electricity, is cheap and an earthly paradise.

Main characters

Episodes
No. in
series		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date UK viewers
(millions)
1"Episode 1"Steve BarronSimon Nye3 April 2016 (2016-04-03)8.81[4]
The island of Corfu's distinct contrast with England is what enthrals Bournemouth mother Louisa Durrell to uproot her disenchanted family from a life of no prospects and venture into one with a lessened need for conformity, however, the appeal becomes ever distant to see upon their arrival. An austere life involves her attempting to withstand her three sons' and daughter's lack of regard for anything other than their own interests, with Gerry befriending an animal lover and forming an exponentially growing menagerie, Leslie's penchant for using firearms, until an incident compels him to give it up and search for love, Margo discovering the less than favourable attitudes to women and Larry's attempts to quell his mother proving this beyond a doubt, all begins with the welcoming from a local man, Spiros, whose unintentional gift of a housemaid is somewhat fleetingly relieving for Louisa, until her children inevitably get in the way.
2"Episode 2"Steve BarronSimon Nye10 April 2016 (2016-04-10)7.24[nb 1]
As Louisa deals with a despondent Margo, suffering from unrequited love and the middling advice from her siblings, Gerry's continuing disregard for education and his animal collection gaining more than first hoped and Spiros' attempts to take her mind off her money troubles (involving disappointing results from foraging, both for food and saleable items) and disintegrating house, Larry ends up requiring some rudimentary medical care from an unexpected source.
3"Episode 3"Steve BarronSimon Nye17 April 2016 (2016-04-17)7.13[nb 2]
Louisa, alongside trying to avoid Sven following an argument, begins to worry over Gerry's burgeoning relationship with a convict and attempting to investigate the cause of his imprisonment finds the two stealing from the Countess' goldfish pond, whom, after finding she is not cut out for working at the surgery, Margo strikes up a friendship with. Leslie laments over finding his girlfriend with her ex-boyfriend and later rues his actions after spotting the two on an alcohol-fuelled night out with Larry.
4"Episode 4"Roger GoldbySimon Nye24 April 2016 (2016-04-24)TBD
Louisa finds herself torn between two men when throwing Leslie outs leads him into a life of crime after being taken in by two local thugs, and using a supposedly rejuvenated Captain Creech to make Sven jealous. Leslie soon ends up in court following a string of accusations from a local turkey farmer culminating in the addition of an armed robbery charge. Failing to furtively try on one of the Countess' dresses to impress the gardener leads Margo to worry for her job, until the Countess surprises her by gifting both her and Louisa two of her unused frocks. Meanwhile, Gerry mourns the death of one of his bats and is encouraged to set up a Centre for Scientific Learning with the rest of his animals.
5"Episode 5"Roger GoldbySimon Nye1 May 2016 (2016-05-01)TBD
A visit from some priggish relatives seems to deem the family's immigration to Corfu more temporary than first thought, and Louisa's aunt's insistence that they must return to England is made even more demanding by the revelation of her relationship with Sven. Larry, despondent at the rejection of his novel by publishers, subdues himself into a life of labour - soon discovering his lack of adeptness in the skill. Margo tries to balance her devotion to the Countess and her growing adoration for her gardener, and Gerry's plans to embark into the world of conservation are thrown into disarray by his attempts to feed his adopted baby owls.
6"Episode 6"Roger GoldbySimon Nye8 May 2016 (2016-05-08)TBD
With Louisa and Sven's plans to marry going full speed ahead, the family interrogate her suitor and his intentions. Also, much to Larry's dismay, his girlfriend wants them to move into their own place.

Reception

Reception to the first episode was positive, with The Telegraph's Gerard O'Donovan calling it "a series that's not only sun-drenched and liberating, but also catches its source material's high good humour without labouring it and weaves an authentic sense of the innocent exoticism of the original,' before awarding it four stars.[7] The Daily Mail's Christoper Stevens hailed even more praise, gifting it five stars and focussing moreso on the cast's performance, naming Keeley Hawes "magnificent as the indomitable, gin-sozzled widow Louisa Durrell" and Milo Parker's performance as Gerry "excellent", before commenting on the show's "cascade of Carry On humour."[8]

The opening episode averaged just under 6.4 million people and watched by 29% of the audience over the hour, including those watching on ITV's +1 channel and was the biggest drama launch of any channel so far in 2016[9] and the most-watched show of the day (including +1).[10] Following a seven-day catch-up period, the figure aggregated to just under 8.2 million people.[11] Citing the show being "ITV's best rating new drama of the year and its highest rating new show since September 2014", ITV recommissioned the show for a second series on April 15, 2016.[12]

The show attained a high 8.2/10 rating on IMDb, with the ratings for individual episodes increasing from episode one to two.[13]

References

  1. ↑ "Early life of Gerald Durrell comes to TV screens soon". Jersey Evening Post.com. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "ITV commissions new six-part drama The Durrells". ITV Press Centre. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "The Durrells (TV Series 2016–)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 1 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Based on 28 day data
  5. ↑ "BARB - Weekly Top 10 Programmes (w/e 10th April 2016)". BARB - Weekly Top 10 Programmes. Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "BARB - Weekly Top 10 Programmes (w/e 17th April 2016)". BARB - Weekly Top 10 Programmes. Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 25 April 2016.
  7. ↑ O'Donovan, Gerard. "The Telegraph - Keeley Hawes is a ray of sunshine in The Durrells - review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  8. ↑ Stevens, Christopher. "The Daily Mail - "A gin-soaked mum and mischief in the sun - it's perfect Sunday telly: CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews last weekend's TV"". The Daily Mail. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "Twitter - ITV Media". Twitter. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  10. ↑ "Digital Spy - Forums - The Ratings Thread (Part 67)". Digital Spy Forums. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "BARB - Weekly Top 10 Programmes (w/e 3rd April 2016)". BARB - Weekly Top 10 Programmes. Broadcasters' Audience Research Board. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "ITV Media - Press Releases - "ITV recommissions hit drama The Durrells"". ITV Media. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "IMDb - The Durrells". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 11 April 2016.
  1. ↑ 5,741,000 on ITV, 1,175,000 on ITV HD and 324,000 on ITV +1[5]
  2. ↑ 5,643,000 on ITV, 1,160,000 on ITV HD and 323,000 on ITV +1[6]

External links

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