BBC One Series ‘Life’ Review

Sometimes the world isn’t always what it seems. Sometimes people aren’t always who they portray themselves to be – even those closest to you. Sometimes we have to rebuild the foundations of our lives and fight our demons. BBC One drama ‘Life’ is a raw reflection on how we all experience heartache and when we take a closer look into people’s lives, we’re not all that different.

Mike Bartlett, writer of Doctor Foster has done it again with BBC One series Life, which has proved to be a huge hit with viewers. Life is set in a large converted Victorian house in Manchester where four people live four different lives. As the four-story lines unfold in the six-part series they soon intertwine in unexpected ways, but the larger message in the series is about taking a step back and communicating. Life is about making genuine relationships and understanding weird and wonderful ways of modern life. The series touches on love, marriage, mental illness, birth, death and everything else in between.

The cast of Life includes Victoria Hamilton and Adam James from Doctor Foster, Alison Steadman from Gavin and Stacey and Peter Davison from Doctor Who. Manchester is home to thousands of students from three universities, scenes of Life are filmed in and around the historic University of Salford campus. Not forgetting some of Manchester’s iconic city centre sites like Oxford Road.

The first ground floor flat belongs to Belle a middle-aged woman who is trying to build a new life in Manchester after her recent divorce, she is sharp, witty and always immaculately dressed. As reality unfolds it becomes clear she is lonely ;suffering an alcohol addiction. Belle now lives alone but has always provided for her sister who has suffered from mental illness for years. After Belles sister gets submitted to hospital again, her teenaged niece Maya who is aggressive and vulnerable has to move in for a while. Belle is mortified at the mess and chaos Maya causes.

Across the hall is Hannah a joyful young woman who gives birth to her first child from a one-night stand nine months ago. Luckily, she met partner Liam during her pregnancy who is the ideal partner and a keen father figure for her new born baby. When the baby’s biological father Andy returns from a summer of backpacking fun, ready to provide for his new baby things become complicated as the three try to co-parent.

David, who lives upstairs, is a happily married university lecturer, who shared a moment of passion with a stranger he met whilst on holiday alone. When he returned to work to start a new term the same woman was sat in his class (classic.) It later becomes obvious why Bartlett uses this cliché TV scene, as David learns his wife Kelly isn’t the kind, religious soul he thought she was. David painfully uncovers her darkest secrets throughout the series.

Across the hall is Gail, who lives in the biggest flat with her husband Henry, the pair have been married to for decades. Gail and Henry have always lived a comfortable life, Henry is a retired Doctor and their lives now consist of leisurely brunches and huge birthday parties. As her 70th birthday approached and an unexpected conversation with an old school friend occurred Gail realised she had been complete diminished by her traditional marriage and had lost touch with herself completely. It is no secret that husband Henry constantly undermines Gail, so despite him falling ill she attempts to put herself first again in hope to find her ‘spark’ again.

Life really is the ultimate binged worthy series – perfect for the second national lockdown. The cast are unforgettable the admirable kindness of David, the lessons learnt from Belle, Hannah’s bubbly personality and Gail’s words of wisdom. You will find yourself asking ‘what would Gail say?’ A strong four stars for Life. All episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.