'Masterpiece' BBC series based on book is 'top drawer classic drama'

Fans of book-to-screen adaptations may not have heard of this hidden gem that has been dubbed a "masterpiece". The series has an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is streaming on BBC iPlayer. Life After Life is a 2022 British television miniseries created and written by playwright Bash Doran. It is an adaptation of the 2013 novel Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, and directed by John Crowley.

The drama's synopsis states: "It follows the story of Ursula Todd, a woman in the first half of the 20th century who experiences an endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The protagonist, Ursula Todd, dies one night in 1910 before she can draw her first breath. On that same night, she is reborn and survives. Living and dying in different circumstances, time and again, Ursula is reborn into new and alternative lives. The story follows Ursula as she navigates each life through a critical era that spans two world wars."

The series has a perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with fans and critics hailing it. One critic said: "It's such a fully realised world, beautifully written and directed (by Brooklyn's John Crowley), that Life After Life's lack of traditional storytelling is, despite so much suffering and death, rather life-affirming."

On Google reviews, one user expressed: "I think this is the Best Show I've ever seen! It's so amazing to see life and the different roads it takes you through. This was a pleasant surprise. I've never heard of this masterpiece. So happy I found it."

On IMDb, a reviewer described the series as a "top drawer classic period drama". They added: "Adapted for TV from a popular novel with an intriguing premise - a protagonist continually being reborn with a chance to live her life again with different outcomes. This was a quality drama with high production values, beautiful direction and cinematography and a fine classical score by Volker Bertelmann. The script by Bash Doran was well-crafted with lovely, crisp dialogue and a well-paced structure. The cast was strong in depth from the children right up to the protagonist, Ursula."

Life After Life is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.