The Sun Sets on The Durrells

Running across the smooth, golden sand of Corfu beach, Louisa Durrell (Keeley Hawes) reaches Greek taxi driver Spiros (Alexis Georgoulis) and bounds into his arms; pressing her lips to his.
This romantic and heart-stopping scene is played in the final ever episode of ITV's The Durrells. After four glorious seasons, the sun-drenched drama and mischievous palaver of the Durrell clan comes to a bittersweet and tearful farewell.

In the last episode of season four, Larry (Josh O'Connor) returns from Paris to rejoin the lovable rabble; of which he decides to put on a play with the rest of his family and Greek friends; a sad and enjoyable farewell to Corfu.
Meanwhile, Margo (Daisy Waterstone) contemplates 'becoming a woman' and losing her virginity to Nikos, Leslie (Callum Woodhouse) becomes nostalgic and Gerry (Milo Parker), sadly releases the animals that he has so lovingly collected throughout the four years with Greek friend, Theo (Giorgios Karamichos) - a poignant and mournful moment. An even sadder moment was when Louisa received a telegram informing her of the death of Cousin Basil in Albania - situated two miles across the sea from Corfu, a tragic turn of events that highlights the dark times ahead as war looms on the horizon. 

The light-hearted fun and humour of the episode was overshadowed by the growing aspect of war as a local policeman attempted to confiscate the family's wireless (who continued to state that they did not own one), and briskly confiscated Larry's typewriter in an attempt to halt propaganda. This served as the only reminder of the growing tensions and writer Simon Nye did not hesitate to give the Durrells a warm and heartfelt goodbye - although Larry announced to his Mother that he would be staying in Corfu.

In reality, both Larry and Margo stayed in Corfu until late 1939, in which they both witnessed the outbreak of the war. Little would it be known that Corfu would later become occupied by the Italians, followed by the Nazi's.
In his book, 'The Durrells of Corfu,' Michael Haag wrote how the Germans, 'bombed the Pension Suisse where the Durrells had first stayed and they killed many people including Gerry's tutor Mr Kralefsky. Corfu town burnt for three days.' A sad devastation to a peaceful island that the Durrells came to love.
However, the history of the Durrells will be explored further in a one-off documentary; 'What The Durrells Did Next,' will air at 7pm on Sunday 19th May and will be available on ITV - one last farewell to the family that have made us laugh, cry and love.