‘Life After Life’ trailer: First look at ‘Downton’ star in new BBC period drama
A trailer has been released for the BBC’s adaption of Life After Life.
The new fantasy period drama tells the story of Ursula Todd, who has an infinite number of chances to live her life.
Based on Kate Atkinson’s acclaimed novel, the four-part mini-series has been adapted by award-winning playwright Bash Doran (Traitors) and Brooklyn director John Crowley.
Life After Life was filmed in England last spring, with a brilliant cast that includes Jessica Brown Findlay, best known as Lady Sybil Crawley in Downton Abbey.
She’s joined by Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit), Sian Clifford (Fleabag), Sean Delaney (Killing Eve), James McArdle (Man In An Orange Shirt), and Jessica Hynes (Up the Women).
Life After Life airs on Tuesday nights at 9pm on BBC Two from today, and subsequent instalments will be shown weekly.
If you can’t wait to watch the whole thing, don’t worry, as all four episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer after the first episode premieres on TV tonight!
A broadcaster in the US hasn’t yet been announced, but we’ll keep you updated.
Watch the trailer here:
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.”
Discussing what makes the story so appealing, Life After Life star Thomasin McKenzie explained: “I think it’s the idea of reincarnation in general as it’s interesting – the idea that it opens up the possibility of reliving or fixing past mistakes or living your happiest moments again.”
She added: “The reason I responded to it so strongly is that I’m always someone who lives in the past, constantly regretting things and cringing at things I’ve done and wish I hadn’t!”
Kate Atkinson’s novel Life After Life is available on Amazon.