The Durrells

I really wanted to give all those selfish little Durrell brats a good shake.

Light entertainment for a Sunday evening viewing. Have to record it though, because we enjoy BBC1 on Sundays.

Can someone tell me if you can watch the first episode on catch-up? I find the ITV catch-up service confusing. Is it updated weekly? I wanted to see The Durrells from the beginning, having missed the first one, but only the second episode was available.

I'm with you there Anya spoilt brats indeed.
I haven't watched episode 2 yet and am not sure about the series yet.

If you have sky go it is on that .I noticed it when I was skimmimng through looking for something else. That was on the tablet and last evening.

We caught up with The Durrells last night, and out of interest, Googled Lawrence Durrell. Apparently, when they all moved to Corfu, Lawrence's first wife Nancy lived with the family in the villa. When Gerald Durrell wrote the books, he omitted this.
We are enjoying the series, too.

Watched the first episode, and was pleasantly surprised. Seems as though it will be good. I read all the books years ago and laughed out loud, not good when you are on a train. I watched a TV drama of The Thorn Birds, also. a long time ago, and that was awful. So here's hoping this one keeps up the good work.

Can those children really have been so ignorant and appalling?

I am enjoying The Durrells I love their eccentricity and although not a fan of Keeley Hawes I think she's very good in this.

Love this series! last night watched the first two episodes we recorded, and even DH liked it, which he didn't expect to.
enjoyed the books years ago. The children and Mother were all a bit eccentric, don't agree they were ignorant and appalling.
The acting and dialogue was first rate.

We love this series. Goes to show that it is possible to make a good drama without violence, swearing and corruption. Those last three seem to be the core of most other dramas at the moment.

HildajenniJ the first episode can be watched on line. here You may have to disable any ad blocker you have, as they make you include the adverts.

Loved the books but not thrilled with this series

Am enjoying it, although I don't recall there being much about the mother in the book at all, she was just vaguely flapping about in the background.And I'm sure Margot was 18 and had terrible spots...

Still, I suppose they couldn't have had it all about Gerry and his animals...

Hi Hilda I see that Shysal has kindly given you the first episode to watch, however for future use you just go on the ITV Hub find the series click on the last episode and it should show you all the other episodes available. That's how I found it.

Really enjoying it but fell asleep in the final 15 minutes and woke up to a bombing raid which I couldn't understand why was Corfu being bombed in the 1930s until I realised The Durrells had finished and Home Fires had begun!

It is rare that any film or TV drama lives up to the original book.

The adaptation in the 80's was definitely more about Gerry + his animals (+ had the brilliant Brian Blessed as Spiro) This one is more about the whole family and has been ' re- imagined' as many of the scenes are not in the book. It's different but I really like it. Relaxing Sunday evening viewing

We're enjoying this a lot. As AjayF says, it's been reimagined so as long as you're not expecting a faithful rendition of My Family, I think it's fine. I have four children and my youngest thinks the depiction of the four Durrell siblings is hilarious!

Regarding Lawrence Durrell, I've been trying to read his Alexandria Quartet. It's very hard going. Is he much read nowadays? I think I got the book for 99p on Amazon Kindle.

I love the title sequence but the Durrells, as portrayed in this programme, are a pretty painful lot! Pleasant viewing for a Sunday night though. Nice to see the sun even if it is only on the TV!

Yes - a pleasant interlude on a Sunday evening.

I think the Home Help is playing a great cameo role. I hope we get more of her.

Will watch episode 2 tonight.

I agree Jane10, I haven't read the book but I looked the family up on wiki and it is the stuff of tragedy. I don't want to do*spoilers*but how they will 'reimagine'as comedy is hard to figure out

I don't remember there being any tragedy in the book the series is based on...