The Durrells return to Corfu

Published: Mon 20 Aug 2018

The Durrells return to Corfu

ITV returns to the blue skies of Corfu for more animal antics next month as filming begins on what has been confirmed to be the final series of much-loved drama, The Durrells.

Produced by successful drama indie, Sid Gentle Films Ltd. in a co-production with Masterpiece, the new series will see acclaimed actress Keeley Hawes (The Missing, Bodyguard) reprise her role as matriarch, Louisa Durrell, for a final set of sun-soaked episodes.

She will once again be joined by young acting talents Josh O'Connor (Les Miserables), Callum Woodhouse (Cold Feet), Daisy Waterstone (And Then There Were None) and Milo Parker (Mr Holmes) who play her unruly and spirited on-screen children in the ITV drama.

Other cast set to return include Alexis Georgoulis (My Life In Ruins) as the charming Spiros, Miles Jupp (Howards End) as hapless cousin Basil, Anna Savva (Genius) as housekeeper Lugaretzia, Yorgos Karamihos (Love Is...) as Dr. Theo Stephanides and Lucy Black (Jericho) as Florence Petridis.

Based on conservationist and author Gerald Durrell's trilogy of books about his family's time in Corfu during the 1930s, the fourth series will once again be written by BAFTA award nominee Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly, Reggie Perrin) and filmed on the beautiful Greek island.

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, but with Basil as their only paying guest, the business is still to find its feet and customers.

Meanwhile, Larry (Josh O'Connor), struggling to get his risqu Black Book published, is enjoying the love of two ballet dancers, whilst heartbroken Leslie (Callum Woodhouse) has thrown himself back into his job and shooting. True to form, Gerry (Milo Parker) continues to collect animals, ambitiously planning to open a zoo with a new owl and some lemurs joining the menagerie, and Margo (Daisy Waterstone) seeks a new challenge, starting her own beauty salon.

Reflecting on this being the final series of the acclaimed drama, Executive Producer Sally Woodward Gentle says: We're going back to Corfu for one last firefly fuelled adventure of love and mishap. 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 cant think about it without crying though...

Actor and Executive Producer, Keeley Hawes added: Im delighted to be heading back to Corfu for a final series of The Durrells. Its been such a wonderful series to work on and Im 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.

ITV's Senior Drama Commissioner, Victoria Fea, also commented: 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. Its been a privilege and a pleasure to have them on ITV, and this valedictory series promises to be the best yet.

Described as pitch-perfect period escapism by The Guardian and a warm-hearted creation with a steely core and mischievous twinkle by The Times, The Durrells has received critical acclaim and proven hugely popular since its launch in 2016.

The fourth series of The Durrells will be executive produced by Sid Gentle Films Ltd.'s CEO Sally Woodward Gentle (Killing Eve) and Managing Director Lee Morris (SS-GB), together with Keeley Hawes and Simon Nye. Roger Goldby (Call The Midwife) directs and Steve Barron (Treasure Island), who directed the first episode of season one will return to direct the series finale. Christopher Hall returns as producer.

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About Sid Gentle Films Ltd.

Sally Woodward Gentle formed Sid Gentle Films Limited in September 2013 to produce original and innovative television drama and feature films. Productions to date include adaptations of Neil Gaiman's Likely Stories for Sky and Len Deighton's epic SS-GB for BBC One. The company has also recently produced Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Killing Eve for BBC America, which is coming to the BBC later this year.

Prior to setting up her own company, Sally was Creative Director of Carnival Films responsible for the production of Whitechapel, Murder on the Home Front, The Last Weekend, Any Human Heart and Enid. Lee Morris, Managing Director, has produced many high profile dramas including the BAFTA award winning Any Human Heart, Peter Morgan's The Jury, and Enid starring Helena Bonham Carter. He was also co-producer on the feature film The Damned United, as well as producing My Zinc Bed and A Number (both for HBO/BBC Films).

LINK:	https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/durrells-return-corfu...
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