This is what ‘The Durrells’ cast think makes the show such a success

The cast of The Durrells have revealed the secret ingredients behind the show’s popularity.

Based upon Gerald Durrell’s classic trilogy of Corfu memoirs, the period drama series launched on ITV in April 2016 and Season 3 premieres in the USA on Sunday 30 September at 8/7c on Masterpiece on PBS.

The Durrells is shown all around the world, from Australia to Spain, and has been nominated for four BAFTA awards.

Discussing what makes the show a success, Josh O’Connor, who plays Larry, explains: “I always thought there was a gap in television scheduling. We have a lot of brilliant TV in the UK. But not necessarily a light-hearted drama with high emotion and comedy. A gap The Durrells fills.

“With everything that’s going on in the world at the moment, it is scary times politically. So to settle down on a Sunday evening and you’re looking out into summer on screen, it just lifts everyone’s spirits. The time is absolutely right for what [writer] Simon Nye says is a celebration of family life.”

Keeley Hawes, who plays Louisa, agrees: “I’ve got to the point where I don’t want to read the news anymore. The Durrells is very comforting.

“It’s like the Victoria Sponge of TV, in the loveliest way because it is comforting and you can forget about those other things just for a little while.”

Alexis Georgoulis, who plays Spiro, says: “…it’s a very interesting drama but there are no great explosions, murders or major crimes. It’s different from the majority of other dramas because it’s always positive without being boring.”

Daisy Waterstone, who plays Margo, adds: “It is escapism from today’s world and it’s beautiful to watch on screen.”

Callum Woodhouse, who plays Leslie Durrell, says the show’s popularity is also down to the characters: “One of the nicest things about the show is all of the Durrells are different and people can relate to that.

“It’s good that you have these five characters who could not be more different.”

The Durrells is available to buy on DVD now.

It was officially announced last month that The Durrells will end next year and the fourth season begins filming this month on Corfu.