A quirky family’s true story: ‘What the Durrells Did Next’

For four seasons, “Masterpiece” audiences have been charmed by “The Durrells in Corfu,” the story of a hilariously quirky family who decamps from dreary England to a sun-dappled Greek island. In the final season the Durrells’ idyllic island life is cut short by the outbreak of World War II – but is that really where the story ends? Find out in the one-hour documentary “What the Durrells Did Next,” A “Masterpiece” Special. An encore airing of the documentary will be on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

WATCH: “What the Durrells Did Next”

Hosted by “The Durrells in Corfu’s” leading lady, Keeley Hawes, “What the Durrells Did Next” is the definitive true story behind one of the best-loved families in TV drama. Lifting the lid on every family secret, heartbreak and triumph, it reveals how Corfu shaped the personalities and ambitions of each family member. It’s an outlandish story of African expeditions, global fame, heartbreak and the establishment of a zoo dedicated to saving endangered species.

The film describes how young Gerry Durrell grew up to be a world-famous zoologist whose ideas on conservation revolutionized the roles of zoos forever, how Larry Durrell nearly won the Nobel Prize for literature – but was deemed to have too much sex in his books – and how flirtatious Margo stayed forever young on cruise ships across the world.

With exclusive testimony from HRH Princess Anne, family members, experts and the actors who brought these beloved characters to life, the show is packed with revelations and personal insights.

MORE: Support the programs you love on Arizona PBS and get the full DVD set of “The Durrells in Corfu.”