Original title
The Durrells
Released
4/3/2016
Origin country
GB
Genre
Comedy, Drama, Family
Production companies
Masterpiece, Sid Gentle Films
Status
Ended
Number of seasons
4
Number of episodes
26
In 1935, financially strapped widow Louisa Durrell, whose life has fallen apart, decides to move from England, with her four children (three sons, one daughter), to the island of Corfu, Greece. Once there, the family moves into a dilapidated old house that has no electricity and that is crumbling apart. But life on Corfu is cheap, it's an earthly paradise, and the Durrells proceed to forge their new existence, with all its challenges, adventures, and forming relationships.
In 1935, beleaguered Bournemouth mother Louisa Durrell decides to uproot her family and build a new life on the sun-drenched island of Corfu. However, with money problems and four unruly children to care for, even a new start might not be enough to banish her troubles.
Larry falls dangerously ill, and it falls to Theo and his neighbour Sven to put their rudimentary medical skills to the task of saving his life. The family's money worries continue, but Spiros brings them good news from a surprising source. Gerry adds to his growing menagerie, while Margo is emotionally wounded - but gets little sympathy from Leslie.
Margo takes great pride in her new job at the surgery, but after a chance encounter with a recluse, she begins to realise where her greatest talent lies. Louisa grows closer to Sven, but as Gerry befriends a convict and Leslie begins spending all his time in the local bars, she begins to suspect she has made a mistake bringing her children to Corfu.
Leslie falls in with a bad crowd and ends up being falsely accused of armed robbery, prompting Louisa to take desperate measures to save him. Margo takes a shine to a gardener at the Villa Mavrodaki, Captain Creech returns, and the family realises the extent of Gerry's passion for animals when he turns his bedroom into a centre for scientific learning.
The family faces the unwanted arrival of a domineering aunt, while Larry's girlfriend also pays a visit - giving the unwelcome relative an opportunity to voice her disapproval of the whole family. Sven makes an offer that helps Louisa cope with adversity and Margo falls in love - but Gerry is more concerned with his newly acquired owlets.
The family prepares for a celebration, and Margo is determined to persuade the reclusive Countess Mavrodaki to attend. Sven is put to the test by his potential family, but seems to make a good impression. Gerry begins to question whether keeping animals in his personal zoo is fair, and considers releasing them into the wild.
In series two, Larry continues to pursue his passion for writing despite a new romance getting in the way; Leslie decides to explore his entrepreneurial spirit; Margo remains boy crazy and makes a play for someone thoroughly unsuitable; and Gerry, who prefers animals to people, is delighted when he discovers an otter is living close to home.
Louisa tries to raise some money by selling homemade food, which attracts the attention of another Englishman. However, a former lover threatens the family's idyllic existence. Gerry comes up with a plan to breed otters, Leslie accidentally shoots Roger, and Margo considers becoming a nun.
Larry's latest novel is being published in England - but his siblings do not seem to be very impressed, his mother is more concerned with baking food to sell at the market, and even his attempts to show off in a local bar go unnoticed. Louisa attempts to make it up to him by organising a public reading. Leslie overhears Pavlos explaining to Margo how he makes liquor out of kumquats, and decides to launch a business venture brewing his own - but his sister does not approve of stealing the monk's recipe.
Celebrating her birthday motivates Louisa to adopt a more youthful look. Gerry has a bewildering time with Kralefsky.
Aunt Hermione arrives with her friend who claims to be a medium, and so they hold a seance to see if Louisa can be reunited with her late husband.
Sparring for Louisa's attention, Hugh and Spiros decide to hold a cricket match between the Greeks and the Brits.
Hugh poses a life-changing question to Louisa, only to find himself a victim of Vasilia's jealousy.
When the family learn that Leslie has three girlfriends, Louisa decides to help him choose which one to pick.
Louisa and Larry are both devastated to find that a dear relative has died.
Larry travels with Louisa to Aunt Hermione's Bournemouth home.
The family receives a telegram from Larry, who is in Athens for a short trip, announcing that he has a friend coming to stay – Prince Jeejeebuoy. Concerned about Gerry's education, Louisa also seeks advice from Theo.
Spiros spends time with a glamorous Italian family who have recently arrived on the island. Louisa is jealous of the attention he is paying their new neighbors and invites the new neighbors over to learn more about them. She ends up convinced they are hiding something, while Margo feels threatened by their eldest daughter. Larry joins the fire service, and Gerry falls in love.
It's Gerry’s birthday and Louisa wants to have a party and make a fuss, even though he doesn’t want to. She fails to realize that Gerry is growing up.
Writer Henry Miller visits Larry on Corfu, and Sven is under scrutiny from the police for being gay. Leslie is forced to arrest him, causing conflict in the Durrell household.
In the Series 3 finale, Leslie and Margo have news about their relationships, and as Louisa and Spiro grow closer, a circus comes to town.
Following the events of the last series, the future is looking bright for the Durrells, with all of the family channelling their heartbreak in different ways. Choosing to keep herself busy, Louisa has opened the doors of the family villa as a guest house. Larry, struggling to get his risqué Black Book published, is enjoying the love of two ballet dancers, whilst heartbroken Leslie has thrown himself back into his job and shooting. True to form, Gerry continues to collect animals, ambitiously planning to open a zoo, and Margo seeks a new challenge, starting her own beauty salon.
Louisa throws herself into running her boarding house, but mysterious guest Lazaros Vangelatos places the villa under police scrutiny.
Louisa finds herself fending off unexpected romantic advances. Leslie's arranged hunt for new guest, Colonel Ribbindane, doesn't quite go to plan when his past revisits him.
Louisa's plan for a family picnic to Kalami goes awry when she inadvertently invites Spiros's wife. The Durrells are surprised to discover Captain Creech's new business venture.
With the house guests getting ever more rowdy, Louisa worries about the villa's reputation. Margo finds a surprising way to bond with Maud, while Gerry realises he has feelings for Galini.
The residents of Corfu are excited at the prospect of an imminent official visit from the King of Greece, and the Durrells are keen to get themselves involved with the welcoming committee. Leslie takes over leadership of a scout troop. Love may also be in the air for Margo as she makes her return home to the island.
With storm clouds gathering, the islanders realise they can no longer ignore the rumblings of war, just as it looks as though the Durrells - particularly Louisa and Spiros - may have found their happy ending. Larry marks his return by throwing an audacious play for the locals, but there are surprises for every member of the family. Series finale.
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