‘The Durrells’ writer explains why Season 4 will be the show’s last

The Durrells returns this weekend, but the series is sadly coming to an end.

Based upon Gerald Durrell’s classic trilogy of Corfu memoirs, the 1930s family period drama launched in 2016 and it was announced last summer that the upcoming six episodes will be the show’s final season.

The Durrells is written by BAFTA award nominee Simon Nye (Men Behaving Badly) and he’s revealed why they decided not to make another season.

Nye commented: “So we embark on the Durrells’ final year in Corfu, and our last series. To quote Douglas Adams: ‘So long, and thanks for all the fish.’ And the pelicans, otters, lizards, dogs, walls of insects, donkeys, flamingos, and Theo’s beloved copepods…”

He explained: “I’ve loved writing the show so all my instincts would normally be to try to keep it going, but it is the right time to stop.

“The family were in Corfu for four years, from March 1935 to June 1939, so who are we to outlive them?”

Reflecting on the past four years and the show’s legacy, Nye said: “I don’t want to overstretch the epic journey metaphor but that is what the Corfu years represented for the Durrells.

“And I hope it has inspired some timid families throughout the world – thank you, PBS and Netflix – to take the plunge and set off for foreign parts to discover something about themselves.

“It doesn’t have to be expensive – take a big tent! And remember to offset your carbon footprint.”

He added: “I also hope the show has encouraged more people to visit Jersey Zoo, presided over by the fantastic Lee Durrell, who is carrying on late husband Gerald’s obsessive work.”

Season 4 begins in the UK this Sunday at 8pm on ITV and will air in the USA this autumn on Masterpiece on PBS.

The Durrells is available on DVD on Amazon.