"Life Begins" (2004) TV series 2004-????

User Rating:

7.9/10   

Creator:

Mike Bullen

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

16 February 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

Maggie and Phil are a late-30s English couple on a standard summer holiday with their two teenage children...

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

Cast

Caroline Quentin	...	Maggie Mee / ... (16 episodes, 2004-2006)
Ace Ryan	...	Becca Mee (16 episodes, 2004-2006)
Alexander Armstrong	...	Phil Mee (16 episodes, 2004-2006)
Elliot Henderson-Boyle	...	James Mee (16 episodes, 2004-2006)
Anne Reid	...	Brenda Thornhill (16 episodes, 2004-2006)
Frank Finlay	...	Eric Thornhill (16 episodes, 2004-2006)
Paul Thornley	...	Jeff (15 episodes, 2004-2006)
Claire Skinner	...	Clare (15 episodes, 2004-2006)
Stuart McQuarrie	...	Guy (15 episodes, 2004-2006)
Chloe Howman	...	Helen (15 episodes, 2004-2006)
Finlay Robertson	...	Kevin (15 episodes, 2004-2006)
Ellie Haddington	...	Kathleen (13 episodes, 2004-2005)
Danny Webb	...	Paul (12 episodes, 2004-2005)
Sarah Ozeke	...	Karen (12 episodes, 2004-2005)
Abby Ford	...	Samantha (11 episodes, 2004-2005)
Michelle Holmes	...	Genevieve (11 episodes, 2004-2006)
Beans El-Balawi	...	Freddie (10 episodes, 2004-2005)
David Westhead	...	Brian / ... (10 episodes, 2004-2006)
Suzanne Burden	...	Penny / ... (9 episodes, 2004-2006)
Roy Dotrice	...	Frank Buchanan (8 episodes, 2005-2006)
Naomi Allisstone	...	Anna (8 episodes, 2004-2005)
Alan Williams	...	George (7 episodes, 2004-2005)

Runtime:

50 min (6 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG (some episodes) | Australia:M (some episodes) | Australia:MA (some episodes) | UK:15

Company:

Granada Television

Trivia:

Sarah Lancashire turned down the role of Maggie.

Quotes:

Genevieve: I haven't congratulated you on becoming assistant manager.
Maggie Mee: Oh, thanks.
Genevieve: No, I'm not congratulating you - I'm explaining why I'm not going to.

Engaging

A tender look at the realities of separation after years of quiet togetherness and seeing things in retrospective that were not apparent at the time.

Phil and Maggie are torn apart when Phil announces he needs time to find himself and moves out, leaving Maggie with two teenage kids, whispering neighbors, an accusing mother and a broken sink. In the blink of an eye lives change and Maggie steps into a world she never dreamed she would be part of -- the single mother struggling to make ends meet.

I am not English and have never lived in Britian but I enjoy English contemporary drama. I find their shows fascinating. Another good one, check it out.