New drama reveals the twists and turns of ‘Life’

Mike Bartlett, the writer behind the new series Life, has a very impressive CV. He’s worked on Doctor Who, wrote the 2018 drama series Press and adapted his own play King Charles III into an acclaimed, if controversial, small-screen film.

But arguably his biggest TV hit is Doctor Foster, starring Suranne Jones as the titular GP who suspects her husband is cheating on her.

The first series was one of the most talked-about shows of 2015, winning two National Television Awards and a Bafta for Jones. The second series proved to be just as gripping, and ended with one very big loose end left dangling, leaving many viewers hoping that a third run might be in the offing.

That idea has been played down by both Bartlett and Jones, but the good news is that while Life may not be a sequel, it is set in the same universe as his previous hit – and even features a couple of the same characters.

Victoria Hamilton reprises her role as Anna from Doctor Foster, who is now going by the name Belle and trying to rebuild her life – although leaving the past behind could be difficult as Adam James is also set to return as her onscreen husband Neil.

However, Life is more than just a Doctor Foster spin-off. It’s set in a house in Manchester, which has been divided into four flats, and the interweaving stories of the occupants’ touch on themes of love, parenthood, loss and self-discovery – and they are all sparked by a disruptive arrival.

For Pilates teacher Belle, the trouble starts when her sister Ruth (Susannah Fielding) is hospitalised, which brings her wayward teenage niece Maya (Erin Kellyman) into her previously well-ordered life.

Meanwhile, her neighbour Gail (Alison Steadman) is about to celebrate her 70th birthday, when she bumps into an old friend – who makes a startling observation about Gail’s marriage to Henry (Peter Davison).

David’s (Adrian Lester) marriage to Kelly (Rachael Stirling) seems pretty solid – or at least it does until he goes on holiday without her and finds himself seriously tempted by the impulsive Saira (Saira Choudhry).

Finally, Hannah (Melissa Johns) is heavily pregnant and has recently got together with Liam (Joshua Johns). He’s safe and stable – so why does she feel such a surprising connection with Andy (Calvin Demba), the father of her baby with whom she had a one-night stand and who has been away travelling for the duration of her pregnancy?

It’s a hugely impressive cast – there are also roles for Kate Ashfield, David Troughton and West End legend Elaine Paige – as the writer acknowledges. Bartlett says: “This show is all about a group of remarkable characters with unexpected desires and hidden secrets, in search of something beyond their everyday lives. It’s just wonderful to have this fantastic cast to tell those stories.”

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