--- title: "The Durrells: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/tv/the-durrells/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/tv/the-durrells" critics_score: 78 critics_reviews: 7 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Durrells (2016): what the critics said Critics' score 78 from 7 reviews: 7 positive, 0 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics welcome The Durrells as gentle, funny family television, with all seven reviews positive. Praise centres on Keeley Hawes as Louisa, whose handling of the frazzled, spirited mother gives the family’s quarrels and adventures a dependable centre. The Corfu locations, animals and convivial supporting characters contribute to its appeal, while the warmer notices find emotional depth beneath the light escapism. Humour and charm are the consistent points of agreement across reviews of both the opening and final series. The differences are chiefly in enthusiasm, with little substantial dissent. The Times acknowledges an initially uninspired feel but finds that the one-liners and Hawes’s performance supply the necessary charm. Digital Spy describes the family story as twee but appealing, whereas Paste places greater emphasis on its emotional depth and low-stakes pleasures. The spread runs from qualified approval to wholehearted affection, rather than any dispute about what the programme offers. ## The Guardian — Julia Raeside Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 3 April 2016. The critic finds it a charming TV adaptation of Gerald Durrell’s Corfu trilogy starring Keeley Hawes as a widow relocating her unruly family to a sunny island. The spirited children, convivial locals and Hawes’s capable performance make it an absolute sunny delight. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/apr/03/sundays-best-tv-undercover-the-durrells-life-in-the-air) ## The i Paper — Jeff Robson Rating ★★★★. 8 April 2019. The fourth and final series delivers classic warm-bath television with humour, charm and pathos amid the darkening shadow of 1930s European politics. Nye expands skilfully on the source memoirs while retaining their elegiac yet earthy tone, with the Louisa-Spiro relationship providing a solid dramatic thread. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/the-durrells-itv-review-series-four-final-series-keeley-hawes-277050) ## The Telegraph — Gerry O’Donovan Rating 4/5. 4 April 2016. The critic calls the adaptation a gem that improves on prior versions by centering the spirited matriarch Louisa Durrell played by Keeley Hawes and embracing a more adult tone with humor and exoticism. Sumptuous Corfu scenery, authentic casting and feelgood family fare make it tip-top Sunday night viewing. [Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/04/03/keeley-hawes-is-a-ray-of-sunshine-in-the-durrells---review/) ## Radio Times — Mark Jefferies Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 April 2016. The series offers a gentle mix of family feuds and adventures in beautiful Corfu locations with lots of animals, providing feelgood Sunday night viewing reminiscent of The Darling Buds of May. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/itvs-new-drama-the-durrells-could-bring-a-gentler-feel-to-sunday-nights/) ## The Times — James Jackson Rating ★★★★☆. 4 April 2016. The critic notes that despite seeming uninspired, the series matches the charm of the beloved 1987 adaptation with one-liners, buckets of charm and Keeley Hawes as the frazzled mother. The sapphire Aegean, Venetian villa and buzzing cicadas create a wonderfully inviting Greek Eden. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/undercover-the-durrells-dgpfqt0q2) ## Paste — Allison Keene Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 27 September 2019. The critic praises the series as one of TV’s brightest gems, highlighting its humor, quirky family dynamics, and emotional depth. They single out Keeley Hawes’ portrayal of Louisa and the show’s whimsical, low-stakes charm for particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/tv/the-durrells-in-corfu/the-durrells-in-corfu-season-4-review) ## Digital Spy — Tom Eames Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 24 March 2016. The critic positions the series as a relaxing, charming ITV drama perfect as light escapism after heavier crime shows. It highlights the twee but appealing family story set in 1930s Corfu with potential to become a major hit. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a787590/new-itv-drama-the-durrells-might-just-be-the-ultimate-laid-back-tv-treat/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/the-durrells.md