Last Updated on October 24, 2019
For three lovely seasons, PBS MASTERPIECE audiences have been charmed by the period drama “The Durrells in Corfu,” the story of a hilariously quirky family who decamps from dreary England to a sun-dappled Greek island.
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In the fourth and final season, the Durrells’ idyllic island life is cut short by the outbreak of World War II — but that’s not where the story ends.
Hosted by “The Durrells in Corfu’s” leading lady, Keeley Hawes, the one-hour documentary “What the Durrells Did Next” is the definitive true story behind one of the best-loved families in TV drama.
Lifting the lid on every family secret, heartbreak and triumph, it reveals how Corfu shaped the personalities and ambitions of each family member. It’s an outlandish story of African expeditions, global fame, heartbreak and the establishment of a zoo dedicated to saving endangered species.
The TV special describes how young Gerry Durrell grew up to be a world-famous zoologist whose ideas on conservation revolutionized the roles of zoos forever, how Larry Durrell nearly won the Nobel Prize for literature–but was deemed to have too much sex in his books–and how flirtatious Margo stayed forever young on cruise ships across the world. (Read more about Gerald Durrell’s books here.)
With exclusive testimony from HRH Princess Anne, family members, experts, and the actors who brought these beloved characters to life, the show is packed with revelations and personal insights.
When is What the Durrells Did Next on PBS?
Watch “What the Durrells Did Next,” a PBS MASTERPIECE Special, on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at 8pm ET. Watch the trailer below.
If you enjoyed this post, be sure to see The Period Films List, with the best historical and costume dramas sorted by era. You’ll also want to see the 2019-2020 PBS Masterpiece Period Drama Schedule. 
Beth
November 12, 2019 at 7:47 am (4 years ago)I Loved the pbs special” What the Durrells did next” and also loved the blue dress Keeley Hawes wore, blue with gold birds in that special… Any ideas on where to find the dress, or websites I can go to to find the dress???
Myriam Mackey
December 31, 2020 at 2:35 am (3 years ago)Did anyone ever respond to you regarding the dress you are asking about (blue with gold birds). I’m interested as well
Frances Smith
October 15, 2019 at 12:27 am (5 years ago)I love The Durrells and many other masterpiece theater selections.
Diane Guerrero
October 14, 2019 at 8:52 pm (5 years ago)I’m very disappointed that it’s ending. There’s so few shows for me that I can see myself there, enjoying the island and the family, being immersed in the story. I hope you’ll find some more along this line instead of all the war, theres enough of that on the news. Thank you
Mona Longley
October 14, 2019 at 1:40 pm (5 years ago)Took a while to warm up to the characters. The children were very rude to the mother and there was no discipline, but as their characters developed the story became believable.
Linda F HARRIS
October 13, 2019 at 10:15 pm (5 years ago)Absolutely love these Period Dramas! More Please!