The Durrells – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Durrells

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2016

81%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A widowed British mom drags her four kids to 1930s Corfu—cue sunshine, animals, and the kind of gentle chaos only PBS can deliver.

94%

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The Durrells

show

TV-PG, 2016

81%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

A widowed British mom drags her four kids to 1930s Corfu—cue sunshine, animals, and the kind of gentle chaos only PBS can deliver.

94%

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Screenwise Verdict

The Durrells is legitimately lovely—warm, funny, beautifully shot, and based on real memoirs that inspired generations of nature lovers. It's got heart, gorgeous scenery, and the kind of gentle family dysfunction that feels real without being toxic.

That said, let's be honest: this is slow. Like, British-period-drama slow. Kids raised on YouTube pacing or even modern Disney+ shows might struggle to stay engaged. It's dialogue-heavy, character-driven, and leisurely in a way that feels almost radical in 2025.

If your family already enjoys PBS fare, nature documentaries, or you're trying to cultivate an appreciation for slower storytelling, this is a gem. If you're hoping to hook a Fortnite-addicted 10-year-old, maybe start with something else. But for the right audience—especially tweens who like animals, history, or just cozy vibes—this is genuinely enriching television that doesn't feel like homework.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-14 who can handle slower pacing and dialogue-heavy storytelling, though younger kids (8+) with patience or British TV experience might enjoy it. Adults will appreciate the wit and production quality, making this genuine family viewing for households that value thoughtful, character-driven content over spectacle.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

British period drama based on Gerald Durrell's memoirs about a widowed mother moving her four children to Corfu in the 1930s. Strong family bonds, gentle humor, and positive relationships are central. Models resilience, cross-cultural understanding, and familial cooperation. Pacing is leisurely but not chaotic. Common Sense Media rates it 10+, suggesting age-appropriate emotional content.

Imaginative

Set in 1930s Corfu with lush Mediterranean scenery and wildlife exploration (Gerald Durrell was a famous naturalist). The premise of relocating to a Greek island invites curiosity about different cultures, nature, and adventure. However, it's a character-driven period piece rather than a fantasy or creative-building narrative, so imagination is more passive observation than active engagement.

Safe

PBS Masterpiece production with a 10+ CSM rating suggests minimal concerning content. No indicators of graphic violence, gore, or inappropriate sexual content. Period drama format means predictable, gentle storytelling without shock value. Kids mode available on streaming platforms. As a family-focused show about everyday life and relationships, unlikely to contain surprise triggers.

Enriching

Based on real memoirs of renowned naturalist Gerald Durrell. Offers exposure to 1930s history, Greek culture, wildlife/nature appreciation, and themes of adaptation and resilience. Strong character development and family dynamics provide emotional intelligence opportunities. High critical acclaim (94% RT critics, 93% audience, 8.2 IMDb) suggests meaningful storytelling. Educational value in historical and natural history contexts.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Based on beloved memoirs by naturalist Gerald Durrell—real history with heart and humor
Gorgeous Mediterranean setting that makes you want to book a flight and adopt a donkey
Strong family bonds and positive problem-solving without manufactured drama or cringe
Educational wildlife content woven naturally into the story (Gerald's obsession with animals is endearing)
High critical acclaim across the board—this is quality television that doesn't talk down to anyone

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What to Watch For

Leisurely British pacing means this isn't Bluey-level engagement—kids used to fast cuts may zone out
Period setting (1930s) means dated social norms and slower storytelling rhythms
Very dialogue-heavy and character-driven—not action-packed
Best for families who already enjoy slower, thoughtful content or British television

Conversation Starters

"Would you ever want to move to a different country like the Durrells did? What would be exciting or scary about that?"
"Gerald loves collecting animals—what animal would you want to study or keep if you could?"
"The family doesn't have much money but they make it work—what are some things that matter more than money?"
"How do you think people in the 1930s lived differently than we do now? What would you miss most?"

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