Life (British TV series)

Life (British TV series)
Title	Life
Genre	Drama
Creator	Mike Bartlett
Starring	Alison Steadman, Peter Davison, Victoria Hamilton, Adrian Lester, Melanie Hill, Rachael Stirling, Calvin Demba
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Network	BBC One
First aired	29 September 2020
Last aired	3 November 2020

Life (British TV series). Created by acclaimed playwright Mike Bartlett, this six-part BBC One drama series intricately connects the residents of a subdivided Manchester Victorian house, exploring their intertwined personal crises and relationships. The narrative unfolds through an ensemble cast led by Alison Steadman and Peter Davison, weaving together stories of family conflict, hidden secrets, and unexpected connections. Premiering in autumn 2020, the series was produced by Drama Republic and directed by John Alexander.

Premise and setting

The series is set entirely within a large, converted Victorian house in the Chorlton-cum-Hardy area of Manchester, which has been split into four separate flats. This architectural setup provides the central narrative device, with the lives, secrets, and emotional struggles of the diverse inhabitants becoming unavoidably entangled through shared walls and common spaces. The confined setting amplifies the dramatic tension, as characters from different generations and backgrounds are forced into proximity, with their private dilemmas spilling into the communal stairwell and garden. The location serves as a microcosm for broader themes of community, isolation, and the unexpected impact strangers can have on each other's lives.

Characters and cast

The ensemble features Alison Steadman and Peter Davison as Gail and Henry, a long-married couple whose relationship is tested by a devastating secret. In another flat, Victoria Hamilton portrays Belle, a woman grappling with the aftermath of an affair, while Adrian Lester plays her husband, Andy, who is struggling with his own sense of identity. The ground floor is home to Melanie Hill as Margaret, a pragmatic divorcee, and her adult children, played by Rachael Stirling (Kelly) and Calvin Demba (Liam), who are each navigating fraught romantic relationships. Other key residents include Joshua James as the enigmatic David and Siena Kelly as the troubled teenager Maya, whose actions create significant ripples throughout the building.

Production and development

The series was created and written by Mike Bartlett, known for his work on *Doctor Foster* and *The Crown*, who conceived the show as a contained examination of modern relationships. It was produced by Drama Republic, the production company behind Black Earth Rising, with Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky serving as executive producers. Filming took place in Manchester and at a studio in Leeds, with John Alexander directing all six episodes. The production design meticulously recreated the subdivided house to allow for fluid movement between the separate households, emphasizing the physical and emotional connections between the characters.

Episodes

All six episodes, each running approximately 58 minutes, were directed by John Alexander and written by Mike Bartlett. The series premiered on BBC One on 29 September 2020, with subsequent episodes airing weekly. The narrative structure typically follows multiple storylines in parallel, with each episode deepening the crises within individual flats while gradually revealing how the residents' lives intersect. Key plot threads include Gail and Henry confronting a life-altering diagnosis, Belle and Andy's marital breakdown, and the escalating consequences of a secret relationship involving Kelly. The series finale, broadcast on 3 November 2020, brought several storylines to a climax while leaving others with a sense of tentative resolution.

Reception

Critical reception was generally positive, with praise directed at the strong ensemble performances, particularly from Alison Steadman and Adrian Lester, and the tightly woven, character-driven scripts. Reviewers in The Guardian and The Telegraph noted the series' effective use of its confined setting to generate suspense and emotional depth. However, some criticism focused on a perceived overabundance of melodramatic plot elements. The series performed solidly in the BARB ratings for BBC One, maintaining a consistent viewership throughout its run. It was also noted for its exploration of contemporary issues such as infidelity, aging, and familial obligation.

Home media releases

The complete series was released on DVD in the United Kingdom by BBC Studios on 9 November 2020, shortly after the television broadcast concluded. The DVD set includes all six episodes but does not contain any supplemental special features or behind-the-scenes material. Following its initial broadcast, the series also became available for digital purchase and rental on platforms such as Amazon Video and Google Play. It remains accessible for streaming to viewers in the UK via the BBC iPlayer service under standard licensing windows.

Category:2020 British television series debuts Category:BBC television dramas