David Farnor | On 14, Aug 2020

Mike Bartlett returns to BBC One this autumn to continue the tale of Doctor Foster – and we’ve got our first look at the new drama.

Called Life, the six-part series is set in Manchester and follows the stories of the residents of a large house divided into four flats. As each of the four stories unfold and intertwine in surprising ways, they tell a larger story about what happens when we step out of our personal space and take a closer look into other people’s lives. Life explores love, loss, birth, death, the ordinary, the extraordinary and everything in between.

Victoria Hamilton will reprise her role from Doctor Foster – now going by the name of Belle, rather than Anna – and seeking to rebuild her life anew. Adam James will appear later on in the series, reprising his Doctor Foster role as Belle’s now ex-husband Neil.

Life also features Elaine Paige and Susannah Fielding in key roles, with other cast members including Alison Steadman, Peter Davison, Adrian Lester, Melissa Johns, Rachael Stirling, Saira Choudhry, Erin Kellyman, Calvin Demba and Joshua James.

Gail (Alison Steadman), married to Henry (Peter Davison), is about to celebrate her 70th birthday when a chance encounter throws her whole life into question. David (Adrian Lester) is happily married to Kelly (Rachael Stirling), but is conflicted by temptation when he meets the impulsive Saira (Saira Choudhry) on holiday.

Pilates teacher Belle’s neatly ordered life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of her chaotic 15 year-old niece Maya (Erin Kellyman). Heavily pregnant Hannah (Melissa Johns) – who is happily coupled up with safe and stable Liam (Joshua James) – has her plans upended by the return of Andy (Calvin Demba), with whom she had a passionate one-night stand nine months previously…

 

Mike Bartlett to chronicle Life in new BBC One drama

29th March 2020

Doctor Foster creator Mike Bartlett is heading back to the Beeb for his latest series, Life. The multi-stranded drama brings together four separate, surprising strands to tell a larger story about what happens when humans decide to step out of their own personal space and take a closer look into other people’s lives. An epic saga that will unfold in a large divided house in Manchester, Life will take a look into each of the flats and at the belief in the human capacity to connect, to care, to love and to change.

Produced by the multi-award winning production company Drama Republic (Doctor Foster, Wanderlust, Black Earth Rising), the six-part series is commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama and Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content. It is executive produced by Roanna Benn, Jude Liknaitzky and Mike Bartlett for Drama Republic and Ben Irving for BBC One. It will be produced by Kate Crowther. 

Mike Bartlett says: “It’s hugely exciting to be working with Drama Republic and the BBC again, to tell a brand new, epic story about seemingly ‘ordinary’ people who turn out to be anything but.”

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says: “Mike’s talent for creating extraordinary characters and recognising powerful truths in ordinary life singles him out as one of the most popular compelling writers of our age. LIFE is the perfect vessel for all of that talent.”

Filming begins this spring in Manchester.

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