What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedThe Durrells
Simon Nye · Series · 2016
If you loved The Durrells, start with My Family and Other Animals (Gerald Durrell, 2019) — a book from the same story. Below: 1 book, 4 films and 1 podcast, each matched to The Durrells across media.
If you loved The Durrells, you likely crave stories where eccentric characters navigate major life transitions through the lens of community.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
My Family and Other Animals
Gerald Durrell · Book · 2019
Explores: Family, Childhood, Nature.
As the original memoir inspiring The Durrells, this book offers a deeper look at the family's eccentric expatriate life and the natural wonders of Corfu that defined their unforgettable adventure.
Films on the same thread
The Holdovers
Alexander Payne · Film · 2023
Explores: Unlikely Friendships, Finding Connection, Grief and Loss.
Just as The Durrells highlights the warmth found in unlikely family dynamics, this film explores how disparate, lonely people create an essential, unconventional bond during a challenging period of isolation.
Brooklyn
John Crowley · Film · 2015
Explores: Nostalgia, Cultural Identity, Homesickness.
Fans of The Durrells will recognize the poignant struggle of navigating a new culture and identity, mirroring the family's own journey of finding a place to call home abroad.
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society
Film · 2018
Explores: found family, wartime resilience, literary obsession.
This film captures the same spirit of discovery found in The Durrells, focusing on how a group of eccentric, resilient individuals forms a profound found family in unexpected circumstances.
The Chorus
Christophe Barratier · Film · 2004
Shares 2 threads with The Durrells: Coming-of-age, Period Drama.
Like The Durrells, this story celebrates the power of mentorship and human connection to transform lives, showing how a compassionate guide can change the trajectory of a struggling group.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Archers
Podcast
Explores: family life, community, farming.
Those who enjoyed the daily trials and triumphs of the family in The Durrells will appreciate this long-running series for its immersive focus on rural community and complex relationships.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is The Durrells based on a book?
Yes, The Durrells is based on the autobiographical work titled My Family and Other Animals. The series follows the narrative established in this book, focusing on the family's 1935 relocation from England to the island of Corfu in Greece.
What is the primary setting of The Durrells?
The Durrells is set on the island of Corfu in Greece. After leaving England in 1935, the family settles into a dilapidated, crumbling house on the island that lacks electricity, which serves as their home while they adjust to their new life.
How many children does Louisa have in The Durrells?
In The Durrells, the protagonist Louisa Durrell is a financially strapped widow who moves to Corfu with her four children. The family consists of three sons and one daughter who navigate their new life together in a crumbling house on the island.
When does The Durrells take place?
The Durrells begins in 1935. The story follows the family as they leave England to seek a more affordable life in an earthly paradise on the island of Corfu, where they move into an old, crumbling house without electricity.