Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey), Peter Davison (Doctor Who), Adrian Lester (Trauma), Victoria Hamilton (Doctor Foster), Rachael Stirling (The Bletchley Circle) have been cast in Life, BBC One’s upcoming six episode drama series from Doctor Foster and Trauma scribe Mike Bartlett.
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.
Alison Steadman has been cast as Gail, who is about to celebrate her 70th birthday when a chance encounter throws her whole life into question; Peter Davison as Henry, Gail’s husband; Adrian Lester as David, a happily married man is conflicted by temptation when he meets another woman on holiday; Victoria Hamilton as Belle, a pilates teacher whose neatly ordered life is disrupted by the unexpected arrival of her chaotic 15 year old niece; and Rachael Stirling as Kelly, David’s wife. Saira Choudhry, Erin Kellyman, Melissa Johns, Calvin Demba, Elaine Paige and Susannah Fielding also star.
The six episode drama series is being produced by 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 back in March. Kate Crowther is the series producer, while Iain Forsyth, Jane Pollard and Kate Hewitt are attached to direct. The executive producers are Roanna Benn, Jude Liknaitzky and Mike Bartlett for Drama Republic and Ben Irving for BBC One. Production is now underway in Manchester. BBC Studios will handle global sales.
