Life After Life: release date of BBC Two drama, trailer, cast including Sian Clifford, is it based on a book?

Life After Life, a four-part drama about the many lives of Ursula Todd, is set to begin on BBC Two at 9pm on Tuesday 19 April.

Adapted from Kate Atkinson’s novel of the same name, the series is set to star Thomasin McKenzie and Sian Clifford amongst others.

Here’s everything you need to know about Life After Life.

What is Life After Life about?

The series begins with the birth – and, very shortly after, the death – of Ursula Todd in 1910. Soon after on the same night, though, Ursula is born again – and this time, she survives, getting another chance at life.

As Life After Life unfolds, Ursula lives many lives over, growing up and dying and growing up again during the interwar years. Seemingly, she has an infinite number of lives, and an infinite number of chances to change things to perfect her own life – whether you can truly lead the perfect life is one of the key themes of the series.

The official logline asks “If you could live your life time and again, would you ever get it right? Ursula dies and is reborn, living through turbulent times - but what is it she needs to stay alive for?”

Is Life After Life based on a book?

Yes, it is. Life After Life is an adaptation of the bestselling novel of the same name by author Kate Atkinson.

Atkinson – who published Life After Life in 2013 – is best known for the Jackson Brodie series of detective novels, previously adapted by the BBC into the series Case Histories.

Who is in the cast of Life After Life?

Thomasin McKenzie stars as Ursula Todd. She’s probably best known for playing Elsa in Jojo Rabbit, but has more recently appeared in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho, and Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog.

Sian Clifford, meanwhile, plays Ursula’s mother Sylvie Todd. Clifford is best known for playing Claire, Fleabag’s sister, but you might also know her from Who Wants to be a Millionaire? drama Quiz, period drama Vanity Fair, or an appearance in Inside Number 9.

They’re joined by James McArdle (Man in an Orange Shirt, Mare of Easttown), Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Black Mirror), and Jessica Hynes (Years and Years, Spaced, Bob and Rose).

Who writes and directs Life After Life?

Bash Doran has written all four episodes of Life After Life, and John Crowley has directed all four episodes also.

Doran is a playwright whose previous television credits include the Channel 4 series Traitors and episodes of 9/11 drama The Looming Tower, while Crowley has previously directed films Brooklyn and The Goldfinch.

Is there a trailer?

Yes, there is, and you can see it right here.

How can I watch Life After Life?

Life After Life is set to air on BBC Two on Tuesday nights at 9pm, starting on Tuesday 19 April.

The full series will also be available to stream as a box set on BBC iPlayer.

Why should I watch Life After Life?

Because an acclaimed novel with an intriguing premise is being brought to life by talented actors.