It’s finally official. ITV has confirmed that the upcoming fourth season of The Durrells will be the show’s last. Production on the show’s final season is set to get underway next month in Corfu, with an eye towards a 2019 premiere.
“I’m delighted to be heading back to Corfu for a final series of The Durrells, said lead actress Keeley Hawes .”It’s been such a wonderful series to work on and I’m so pleased that viewers have taken the family to their hearts as much as we have. I have no doubt that the brilliant Simon Nye will give the family a fitting and fabulous farewell.”
“We are going to Corfu for one final sojourn with the Durrells – where they will entertain us with more emotional highs and lows, family spats, mishaps and romantic tribulations”, added ITV’s Senior Drama Commissioner Victoria Fea. “It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to have them on ITV, and this valedictory series promises to be the best yet.” The Durrells was the first successful period drama launch for ITV since Downton Abbey went off the air, with other attempts, such as Jericho, falling short.
Based on Gerald Durrell’s trilogy of books, The Durrells tells the story of Louisa and her four spirited and unruly children, Larry, Leslie, Margo and Gerry as they start a new life in Corfu in the 1930s. The drama series is produced by Sid Gentle Films Limited and stars Keeley Hawes, Josh O’Connor, Daisy Waterstone, Milo Parker, Callum Woodhouse, Alexis Georgoulis, Miles Jupp, Anna Savva and Lucy Black.
In season four, he 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, but with Basil as their only paying guest, the business is still to find its feet and customers. Meanwhile, 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 with a new owl and some lemurs joining the menagerie, and Margo seeks a new challenge, starting her own beauty salon.
The final season is being penned by series creator Simon Nye, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Keeley Hawes, Sid Gentle CEO Sally Woodward Gentle and Managing Director Lee Morris. Christopher Hall is the series producer, while Roger Golby is the director. Additionally, Steve Barron (Treasure Island), who directed the very first episode, will return to direct the series finale. “We’re going back to Corfu for one last firefly fuelled adventure of love and mishap”, added executive producer Sally Woodward Gentle. “It has been such an incredible journey following this warm and enchanting family come of age, but their adventures on the island have reached a natural conclusion. I can’t think about it without crying though…”
