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Writer Michael Haag tells the story of the real-life Durrells and explains what took the family to Corfu and what happened to them after they left.

The recent television series, The Durrells, was based on Lawrence Durrell’s Corfu trilogy of books, including My Family and Other Animals. The books were loosely based on actual events. Haag, who knew Lawrence and Gerald Durrell, explains the family’s background in India, what took them to Corfu, and looks at some of the characters they met, including the biologist and poet Theodore Stephanides and taxi driver Spiros Halikiopoulos. And he explains what became of the Durrells after they left Corfu, including Margo’s return to join the Greek resistance and Leslie’s romance with the family’s maid and friend Maria Kondos.

Haag has written extensively on Egyptian, Classical and Medieval worlds. He is currently writing a biography of Lawrence Durrell.

Here he talks to journalist and LBC radio presenter Matthew Stadlen, a former BBC producer who is a regular interviewer for the Daily Telegraph and has interviewed for the BBC.