New ITV drama tells story of Gerald Durrell's childhood

The third episode of The Durrells airs on ITV at 8pm tonight.

It's already ITV’s best rating new drama of the year; a second series was confirmed this week.

It follows a young Gerald Durrell, who later set up Durrell Wildlife Conservation Park in Jersey.

Watch the trailer for tonight's episode below.

ITV have confirmed a second series of The Durrells has been commissioned.

After just two episodes it's already ITV’s best rating new drama of the year and its highest rating new show since September 2014.

Filming is set to commence on Corfu this summer; the story follows the Durrell family after they moved there from the UK.

The show portrays a young Gerald Durrell, who later set up Durrell Wildlife Conservation Park in Jersey.

6.4 million people watched it on its opening night nearly three weeks ago.

ITV's new drama The Durrells is set to air tonight.

Set in Corfu, it tells the story of Gerald Durrell's childhood - decades before he opened his conservation park in Jersey.

Bosses at the attraction hope the show will provide fresh awareness of the Durrell name, leading more people to pay them a visit.

You can catch the programme at 8pm tonight on ITV.

ITV's new series The Durrells, based on the founder of Jersey's wildlife park, is set to air on the 3rd April.

The date has just been officially announced.

The series focuses on a young Gerald Durrell as he grows up in Corfu.

He went on to create Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust in the island, with a mission to save species from extinction.

A brand new six part ITV series called 'The Durrells' will be coming to your television soon.

Set in 1935, the series is based upon Gerald Durrell’s classic trilogy of Corfu memoirs including the much loved novel ‘My Family and Other Animals’.

The story focuses upon Louisa Durrell (played by Keeley Hawes) and her four unruly children - Larry, Leslie, Margo, and the youngest, Gerry.

Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, of which Lee Durrell is the Honorary Director, is delighted that her late husband's work is being adapted for the small screen.

Durrell has announced the cast that will be in the six-part ITV series about Gerald Durrell.

The series is being filmed in Corfu this autumn and broadcast next year. It will be based on Gerald Durrell's three books about his childhood on the Greek island in the 1930s.

Here is the synposis that ITV released earlier this year about the series:

Louisa will be played by Keeley Hawes (Line of Duty, Ashes to Ashes), Larry by Josh O’Connor (Ripper Street, Peaky Blinders), Leslie by newcomer Callum Woodhouse, Margo by Daisy Waterstone (Silent Witness, Testament of Youth) and Gerry by Milo Parker (Mr Holmes, Ghosthunters). Leslie Caron (best known for starring in musical films of the 50s, such as An American in Paris and Gigi) will play the Countess who befriends Margo and well-known Greek actors have been cast as the Durrell family’s Greek friends – Spiro, Theo and Kosti.