Marriage release date: when does BBC One drama start, cast with Sean Bean and Nicola Walker, TV series trailer

Marriage, a new drama starring Nicola Walker and Sean Bean, is coming to BBC One on Sunday 14 August.

The series, which is written and directed by Stefan Golaszewski, charts the ups and downs of Ian and Emma’s nearly 30-year marriage.

Here’s everything you need to know about Marriage.

What is it about?

The official synopsis explains that Marriage sees Ian and Emma negotiate the ups and downs of their 30-year marriage, detailing “the insecurities, the ambiguities, the hopes and the fears that are part of all marriages”.

The synopsis goes on to say that Marriage “explores the risks and the gifts of a long-term intimate relationship. Sometimes funny, sometimes moving, always revealing.”

The series opens with Ian and Emma returning from a recent holiday to Spain, and meeting daughter Jessica’s new boyfriend for the first time.

Who stars in Marriage?

Nicola Walker plays Emma, one half of the central couple. Walker is a prolific actor, and you might know her from Channel 4 drama Unforgotten, or ITV dramas Touching Evil and The Last Train, or BBC drama River. She’s probably best known for playing Ruth Evershed in Spooks, or Hannah Defoe in The Split.

Sean Bean plays Ian, the other half of the central couple. Bean, again, is a prolific actor, having appeared in films like The Martian and Lord of the Rings, and television series like Game of Thrones, Snowpiercer, and Time.

Chantelle Alle plays Jessica, Ian and Emma’s daughter. Alle is best known for appearing in We Are Lady Parts, but she’s also recently starred in BBC Three musical drama Mood.

They’re joined by James Bolam (New Tricks, The Likely Lads) as Gerry, Emma’s father, and Henry Lloyd-Hughes (The Inbetweeners, Ragdoll) as Jamie, Emma’s boss.

Who writes and directs Marriage?

All four episodes of Marriage were written and directed by Stefan Golaszewski.

Golaszewski is probably best known as the creator of Mum, the popular comedy starring Lesley Manville as a woman putting her life back together after the unexpected death of her husband. He was also the creator of BBC Three sitcom Him & Her, which starred Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani as a young couple.

He was also part of the sketch comedy group Cowards alongside Tim Key, Tom Basden, and Lloyd Woolf.

Is there a trailer?

Yes, there is! You can watch it right here.

When and how can I watch Marriage?

Marriage will begin on BBC One on Sunday 14 August at 9pm. The second episode will air on Monday 15 August at 9pm, with the third and fourth ep

All four episodes will be available to watch as a boxset immediately on BBC iPlayer as well.

How many episodes is Marriage?

There are four episodes to Marriage, each around an hour long.

What do the reviews of Marriage say?

In NationalWorld’s review of Marriage, we praised the series for its deft observations about its central couple, and strength of Sean Bean, Nicola Walker, and Chantelle Alle’s performances.

You can read the full review here.

Why should I watch Marriage?

It’s one to watch if you’re a fan of Nicola Walker – particularly a fan who’s missing The Split, after the final series of that last year – or if you’ve enjoyed previous series from Stefan Golaszewski.

You might also enjoy it if you’ve previously liked other intimate, relationship-focused dramas – like, perhaps, HBO’s recent Scenes from a Marriage with Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain.