A decade ago, This Life premiered on BBC TWO and changed the face of television drama, whilst gathering legions of faithful fans as well as industry acclaim and awards. To celebrate its tenth anniversary, the original cast, executive producer Tony Garnett and creator and principal writer Amy Jenkins reunite for This Life + 10, an exclusive, 90-minute, one-off episode to be broadcast on BBC TWO.
BBC TWO viewers became obsessed with the turbulent lives of a group of twenty-something lawyers who lived, loved and played hard whilst sharing a house in London.
Thirty-two episodes were broadcast over two series during 1996 and 1997 and the final explosive instalment left its devoted audience begging for more.
Fast forward a decade and This Life + 10 re-introduces Miles (Jack Davenport), Milly (Amita Dhiri ), Warren (Jason Hughes ), Egg (Andrew Lincoln ) and Anna (Daniela Nardini) in a one-off, 90-minute special.
One of the group has become a commercial success after writing a book based on their friendship and a TV production company is keen to film the group's reunion.
Viewers will discover how the group's lives have changed and whether they are friends, lovers or enemies – or all three!
Series one and two will be repeated on BBC TWO, allowing fans to reacquaint themselves with the classic episodes before being treated to the spanking new 90-minute special.
Amy Jenkins, creator and chief writer, This Life and This Life + 10, comments: "It's ten years on and there have been big changes in the characters' lives. They're no longer in the waiting room of life - but out there on centre stage. The question is - do people really change?"
Roly Keating, Controller, BBC TWO comments: "This Life brilliantly defined what it meant to be young in the Nineties and captured the imagination of a whole generation of viewers.
"It's fantastic that Tony, Amy and the original, world-class cast have agreed to reunite for what promises to be one of the drama events of the year."
Filming on This Life + 10 begins this month on location in London and Sussex.
This Life + 10 was commissioned by Jane Tranter, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning and Roly Keating, Controller, BBC TWO, and is scheduled for transmission on BBC TWO in Winter 2006.
A World Production/BBC Wales Production for BBC TWO, This Life + 10 is written by Amy Jenkins, directed by Joe Ahearne and the executive producer is Julie Gardner for BBC Wales. Tony Garnett is the sole Producer.
Notes to Editors
This Life was first broadcast on BBC TWO on 18 March 1996. The final episode of the second series was broadcast on BBC TWO on 7 August 1997.
Update - posted on 11 December 2006
This Life + 10 will be broadcast on BBC TWO on Tuesday 2 January 2007.
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I absolutely loved This Life when it first screened on the ABC, and the announcement that the BBC has commissioned a 90 minute special exploring the characters' lives 10 years on makes me, not exactly giddy with excitement but certainly intrigued to see how the new show will be handled.The last time I watched some of the original series I found it a bit dated, but I still have a soft spot for it.
What are some of your favourite TV shows from the 1990's? Or from any era, for that matter?
6 comments:
TEN YEARS?!
Shit! That flew by... lOved that show!
*faints*
I LOVED This Life.
I am very anxious about the 'reunion' show. Will they be able to do it right? I'm almost too scared to watch.
Bonnie - yeah I know, I feel old now, knowing it's been 10 years...
Elaine - yes, same, I definately share your concerns. Still, same cast, same writer and director, could be ok...
Favourite show of the 90s was THIS LIFE, no doubt, but I also was very into BUFFY, SOUTH PARK and THE NANNY. Will I ruin any street cred with my last choice?
Oh, Mister Sheffield!
I agree with all of the above. I believe that This Life was the most realistic of dramas for that time. It had people my age doing things that I was doing - sex and drugs. So, I am both excited and apprehensive as to how my favourite (fictional) group of friends will be portrayed. I never got over the only poof Warren leaving. I gasped when he returned in the final episode, after his time away in Australia, wearing a garish hawaiian shirt. Oh well. I'll wait and see.
Richard, I have also nominated you as 'best Australian weblog' at the Seventh Annual Weblog Awards.
The Nanny? Hmmmm. *watches Rick's street cred spiral earthwards in flames*
Den - shit man, thanks! :-)
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