The BBC is getting back into business with Mike Bartlett. BBC One has given the green-light to Life, a new six episode drama series from the writer behind Doctor Foster and Trauma.
Life explores four separate, deeply human and surprising stories to tell a larger story about what happens when we decide to step out of our own personal space and take a closer look into other people’s lives. The series unfolds in a large divided house in Manchester and 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.
The six episode drama series is set up at Black Earth Rising indie Drama Republic and was commissioned by the BBC’s Director of Content Charlotte Moore and the BBC’s Controller of Drama Commissioning Piers Wenger. Kate Crowther is the series producer. The executive producers are Roanna Benn, Jude Liknaitzky and Mike Bartlett for Drama Republic and Ben Irving for BBC One. Production is set to get underway this spring in Manchester. BBC Studios will handle global sales.
“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”, said series creator Mike Bartlett.
“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”, commented the BBC’s Piers Wenger. “Life is the perfect vessel for all of that talent.”
While Drama Republic’s Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky added: “We are so happy to be reunited with Mike and the BBC after making Doctor Foster together. Once again Mike has written a gripping, page-turning, roller-coaster ride of a drama which explores the big things in life in the most exciting and surprising of ways.”
