‘Life After Life’ preview: Kate Atkinson novel adaptation confirms start date

It’s been announced when Life After Life will begin!

The BBC’s new four-part fantasy period drama is based on Kate Atkinson’s acclaimed novel.

Adapted by award-winning playwright Bash Doran (Traitors) and Brooklyn director John Crowley, Life After Life began filming last spring.

Watch the trailer here:

BBC Two’s upcoming mini-series boasts a great cast, including Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit), Sian Clifford (Fleabag), Sean Delaney (Killing Eve), James McArdle (Man In An Orange Shirt), and Jessica Hynes (Up the Women).

They’re also joined by Downton Abbey star Jessica Brown Findlay, who played Lady Sybil Crawley in ITV’s hit period drama.

The official synopsis reads: “In 1941, Ursula (Thomasin McKenzie) says goodbye to her brother Teddy (Sean Delaney) as he heads off to war. What if? She asks him. What if you could live your life over again?

“In 1910, Ursula is born for the first time to Sylvie (Sian Clifford) and Hugh Todd (James McArdle). She dies at birth. Ursula is then born for the second time. This time, she survives.

“Ursula’s birth sparks a thrilling journey as she dies and is reborn, time and time again, living through tumultuous change and two world wars… trying, each time, to get it right.”

Life After Life premieres at 9pm on Tuesday 19th April on BBC Two, with subsequent episodes airing weekly.

All four parts will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer after the first episode airs.

We’re not yet sure when or where the series will be broadcast in the US, but we’ll let you know as soon as we find out.

English actress Sian Clifford, currently appearing in 1960s drama The Duke, revealed how Life After Life differs from other period dramas, saying: “I love period drama but this feels very contemporary to me.”

The Fleabag star explained: “The concept of a multi-universe, of reincarnation, of an infinite number of lives. Even the way we’re filming feels very contemporary; a lot of it is on a handheld camera and the bits I have seen of it on the monitors has a dynamic energy which I think is rare in a period drama.”

Clifford added: “It feels very youthful and exuberant. I think it asks very philosophical questions.”

Kate Atkinson’s novel Life After Life is available on Amazon.