Back to Life (TV series)
{{Short description|2019 British TV drama series}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Back to Life (TV series).jpg
| genre = {{Plainlist|
}}
| creator =
| writer = {{flatlist|
}}
| director = {{Plainlist|
- Christopher Sweeney
- Ella Jones
}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
- Daisy Haggard
- Geraldine James
- Richard Durden
- Adeel Akhtar
- Jo Martin
- Jamie Michie
- Christine Bottomley
- Liam Williams
}}
| composer = Solomon Grey
| country = United Kingdom
| language = English
| num_series = 2
| num_episodes = 12
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
- Sarah Hammond
- Harry Williams
- Jack Williams
}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Debbie Pisani
}}
| cinematography = Ben Wheeler
| editor = Gavin Buckley
| runtime = 23–25 minutes
| company = Two Brothers Pictures
| network = {{Plainlist|
}}
| first_aired = {{Start date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
| last_aired = {{End date|2021|08|31|df=y}}
| image_alt =
| channel =
| released =
}}
Back to Life is a British dark comedy-drama television series co-written by Laura Solon and Daisy Haggard, who also portrays the lead character, Miri. The show premiered on BBC One on 15 April 2019.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-47776187|title=Back To Life: Episodes' Daisy Haggard on playing a 'relentless optimist'|work=BBC News |date=12 April 2019|access-date=21 May 2019}} The first series received critical acclaim; many reviews highly praised Haggard’s performance and writing.
In November 2019, Back to Life was renewed for a second series; it premiered in August 2021 to similar positive reviews.{{cite web|title=Showtime(R) Orders Second Season of "Back to Life"|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/11/19/showtime-orders-second-season-of-back-to-life-292401/20191119showtime01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=19 November 2019}} In October 2023, it was announced that Haggard had decided not to proceed with a third series; she commented, "I think the story is done. I've got so many things I want to do, I've got two or three film ideas that I'm really excited about."{{cite web| last=Knox| first=David| title=Axed: Back to Life| url=https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/10/axed-back-to-life.html| website=TV Tonight| date=30 October 2023| access-date=30 October 2023}}
Plot
Miri Matteson has just returned home to Hythe, Kent, after serving an 18-year prison sentence. As Miri attempts to rebuild her life, she forms a friendship with Billy, who cares for an elderly woman next door.
Cast
- Daisy Haggard as Miri Matteson
- Geraldine James as Caroline Matteson, Miri's mother
- Richard Durden as Oscar Matteson, Miri's father
- Adeel Akhtar as Billy, Miri's budding love interest
- Jo Martin as Janice, Miri's parole officer
- Jamie Michie as Dom, Miri's now married pre-prison boyfriend and Caroline's secret affair
- Christine Bottomley as Mandy, Miri's now married pre-prison best friend
- Juliet Cowan as Tina, local policewoman who was Miri’s childhood enemy
- Imogen Gurney as Lara, Miri's former best friend
- Liam Williams as Nathan, Miri's boss at the fish and chip shop (series 1)
- Souad Adel Faress as Anna, Billy's wife (series 1)
- Frank Feys as Samuel, a private investigator (series 1)
- Ade Edmondson as John Boback, Lara’s father (series 2)
- Lizzy McInnerny as Norah Boback, Lara’s mother (series 2)
- Meera Syal as Gaia, Billy's mum (series 2)
Episodes
{{Series overview
| color1 = #000000
| link1 = #Series 1 (2019)
| episodes1 = 6
| start1 = {{Start date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
| end1 = {{End date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
| color2 = #A60000
| link2 = #Series 2 (2021)
| episodes2 = 6
| start2 = {{Start date|2021|08|31|df=y}}
| end2 = {{End date|2021|08|31|df=y}}
}}
=Series 1 (2019)=
{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall=5 |series=5 |title=13 |director=21 |writer=36 |airdate=20 |country=U.K |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Episode 1
|DirectedBy = Christopher Sweeney{{cite web |title=Back to Life (TV Series 2019–) Full Cast & Crew |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8594510/fullcredits |website=imdb.com |access-date=27 April 2019}}
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
|ShortSummary = Miri Matteson is release from prison after serving 18 years for murder and returns to her hometown where she is shunned by the entire community.
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Episode 2
|DirectedBy = Christopher Sweeney
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Episode 3
|DirectedBy = Christopher Sweeney
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Episode 4
|DirectedBy = Christopher Sweeney
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Episode 5
|DirectedBy = Christopher Sweeney
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Episode 6
|DirectedBy = Christopher Sweeney
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2019|04|15|df=y}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = 000000
}}
}}
=Series 2 (2021)=
{{Episode table |background=#A60000 |overall=5 |series=5 |title=13 |director=21 |writer=36 |airdate=20 |country=U.K |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 7
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = Episode 1
|DirectedBy = Ella Jones
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|31|df=y}}{{cite web |last1=Perkins |first1=Steven |title='Back To Life' Season 2 — release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/back-to-life-season-2-release-date-plot-cast-trailer-and-everything-you-need-to-know |website=What To Watch |access-date=27 August 2021 |date=25 August 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = A60000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 8
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Episode 2
|DirectedBy = Ella Jones
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|31|df=y}}{{cite web |last1=Perkins |first1=Steven |title='Back To Life' Season 2 — release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/back-to-life-season-2-release-date-plot-cast-trailer-and-everything-you-need-to-know |website=What To Watch |access-date=27 August 2021 |date=25 August 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = A60000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 9
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = Episode 3
|DirectedBy = Ella Jones
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|31|df=y}}{{cite web |last1=Perkins |first1=Steven |title='Back To Life' Season 2 — release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/back-to-life-season-2-release-date-plot-cast-trailer-and-everything-you-need-to-know |website=What To Watch |access-date=27 August 2021 |date=25 August 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = A60000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 10
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = Episode 4
|DirectedBy = Ella Jones
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|31|df=y}}{{cite web |last1=Perkins |first1=Steven |title='Back To Life' Season 2 — release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/back-to-life-season-2-release-date-plot-cast-trailer-and-everything-you-need-to-know |website=What To Watch |access-date=27 August 2021 |date=25 August 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = A60000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 11
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Episode 5
|DirectedBy = Ella Jones
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|31|df=y}}{{cite web |last1=Perkins |first1=Steven |title='Back To Life' Season 2 — release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/back-to-life-season-2-release-date-plot-cast-trailer-and-everything-you-need-to-know |website=What To Watch |access-date=27 August 2021 |date=25 August 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = A60000
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 12
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Episode 6
|DirectedBy = Ella Jones
|WrittenBy = Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2021|08|31|df=y}}{{cite web |last1=Perkins |first1=Steven |title='Back To Life' Season 2 — release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know |url=https://www.whattowatch.com/watching-guides/back-to-life-season-2-release-date-plot-cast-trailer-and-everything-you-need-to-know |website=What To Watch |access-date=27 August 2021 |date=25 August 2021}}
|ShortSummary =
|LineColor = A60000
}}
}}
Production
Harry and Jack Williams are the executive producers of Back to Life with Sarah Hammond. They previously produced the BBC show Fleabag.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-05-20/back-to-life-air-date-time-bbc-cast-plot-daisy-haggard/amp/|title=When is Back to Life on BBC1 and BBC3? Who's in the cast and what's it about?|website=Radio Times|access-date=21 May 2019}}
Various scenes for both series were filmed in Hythe and Lydd-on-Sea in Kent. Dungeness features in Series One and Folkestone Harbour Arm doubles as the Pier and Lighthouse in Series Two. The Abbot's Cliff sound mirror in Dover, on top of the White Cliffs of Dover, features in both series.{{cite web |author=Kent Film Office |url=https://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/filmed-in-kent/2019/04/back-to-life-series-1-2019/|title=Kent Film Office Back to Life Series 1 and 2 (2019-2021)|date=12 April 2019 }}
Release
Back to Life was launched as a boxset on BBC iPlayer on 15 April 2019, and began broadcast weekly on BBC One from 15 April 2019.{{cite web| title=Back to Life: Series 1| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?filt=p0757w4d#top| website=BBC Genome Project| access-date=30 October 2023}} The complete second series was launched on BBC iPlayer on 31 August 2021 and the first episode premiered on BBC One the same night before being broadcast weekly for the remainder of the series.{{cite web| title=Back to Life: Series 2| url=https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/search/0/20?filt=p09sj1nx#top| website=BBC Genome Project| access-date=30 October 2023}}
On 10 November 2019, the series premiered in the United States on Showtime.{{cite web|title=Showtime(R) Programming Advisory|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2019/09/19/showtime-programming-advisory-338410/20190919showtime01/|work=The Futon Critic|date=19 September 2019}}
Reception
For the first series, review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.4/10, based on 26 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Driven by the marvelous Daisy Haggard, Back to Life questions what it means to be a person with humor, heart, and a genuine sense of surprise."{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=back_to_life|title=Back to Life|type=tv|season=1|access-date=December 21, 2021}}{{cbignore}} The first series was also compared positively to critically acclaimed tragicomedy Fleabag with which it shares producers. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 88 out of 100 based on 14 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".{{Cite Metacritic|id=back-to-life|title=Back to Life|type=tv|season=1|access-date=December 21, 2021}}{{cbignore}}
For the second series, Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.8/10, based on 5 critic reviews.{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=back_to_life|title=Back to Life|type=tv|season=2|access-date=December 21, 2021}}{{cbignore}} Metacritic assigned a score of 87 out of 100 based on 6 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".{{Cite Metacritic|id=back-to-life|title=Back to Life|type=tv|season=2|access-date=December 21, 2021}}{{cbignore}}
Home media
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{BBC programme}}
- {{IMDb title}}
Category:2019 British television series debuts
Category:2021 British television series endings
Category:2010s British comedy-drama television series
Category:2020s British comedy-drama television series
Category:BBC comedy-drama television shows
Category:British comedy-drama television shows
Category:British English-language television shows
Category:Television shows set in Kent