The Durrells, Sunday viewing

[NoahVale]

I was an avid reader of My Family and Other Animals as a teen, I read it more than once,
Disappointed it was in the ITV slot but it was lovely, gentle viewing.
Love the penis reference , re the Gun.

i dont think i would have enjoyed it so much if I hadnt read the books tbh. But it was Good, not great.

[BreconBeBuggered]

I'm really enjoying it. When I read the books as a teenager, I always imagined Gerry's mother as a white-haired old dear. I've seen a few adaptations now and this is the first one where she seems to be a relatively young woman. I'm afraid this is about me at least as much as the casting of Keeley Hawes in the role.

[PollyPerky]

I think KH is far too young for the part. The eldest son must be in his 20s and KH is only just 40 in real life. I'm not sure if in the 1930s, sons would be so keen to tell their mothers to get into bed/ have sex/ etc. It seems to be stretching it all somewhat!

[NoahVale]

i dont remember any sex references when I read it, I remember the tortoise, and the puppies Widdle and plop, or something like that.

[Duckdeamon]

Loved the book and earlier TV adaptation as a teen too. The DC are all well cast IMO and little Gerry is lovely, although would be a PITA to parent with all the animals and whatnot!

agree that Keely H is far too young for the role, unless in RL Mrs Durrell had first DC in her teens.

If that was not the case though then it's a classic example of sexism/ageism in the TV industry, casting a younger woman that the character's age.

[cheapskatemum]

Widdle and Puke, Noah, how I can remember that after decades and not my own DCs' names on occasions is beyond me.

What I want to know is, is Max gay? Possibly even Larry's lover? He reminds me of Sacha Baron Cohen's Bruno! But is that why Margo is wasting her time fancying him? I don't remember that in the books either.

I love the artwork that leads into the ad breaks and then back into the programme again.

[Duckdeamon]

OK, so in RL Louisa Dixie Durrell had Gerald at age 39, was widowed three years later, and went to Corfu when she was 49. So Keely H is too young by ten years.

[AnneEtAramis]

I am really enjoying it, but I haven't read the books. I think the entire cast is pretty good, really enjoying Keeley Hawes too. I think they have aged her well for the 1930s.

[YesThisIsMe]

Larry is meant to be 21 I think, (Lousia says something about not thinking of herself for twenty one years) so it's not particularly implausible that Mrs Durrell could have married and had a baby aged 19 in the 1910s. However the real Louisa was about 50 when they moved to Corfu (and Larry was married, not living in the same house as the other Durrells, and had published three volumes of poetry so you're never going to match up the books with real life).

[NadiaWadia]

The actor who plays Larry looks older than 21 to me. And I agree the gorgeous Keeley Hawes is too young for the part - agree with Duckdeamon that it's probably sexism - it should have been a good opportunity for an actress of around 50 or more. The three older children all seem too old to be hers. And the girl who plays Margo doesn't seem right for the part either. I always had the impression of her being a taller, gallumping sort of girl.

It is fairly enjoyable though, I will keep watching.

[YesThisIsMe]

If fictional Larry was much older than 21 then his behaviour crosses the line from hilariously awful to unspeakably vile.

[HSMMaCM]

I'm loving the programme, but trying not to link it to my vague memories of the book.

[Allofaflumble]

The daughter is a fabulous actress.

[CeciliaMiddleton]

I'm really enjoying it - I especially like the little boy - he's a wonderful actor, and the light hearted approach of all the diologues. This is sweet summery www.culturewhisper.com/r/article/the_durrells_itv_review/6907

[cheapskatemum]

Ah, ok, so - married, therefore unlikely to be Max's lover, though not impossible. I remember much mention of Margo's spots in the book, otherwise I think Daisy Waterstone is well-cast.