The BBC period drama Life After Life has been praised by viewers as a 'refreshing change' from typical offerings in the genre, with one fan likening it to 'Ground Hog Day mixed with Downton Abbey'.
The series follows Ursula Todd, who dies on the night of her birth in 1910, only to be born again on that same night and survive. Each subsequent life sees her live a little longer, as the story follows her through the World Wars, including the London Blitz.
Star-studded cast and critical acclaim
Starring Sian Clifford (known for Fleabag) and Thomasin McKenzie, the series is adapted from Kate Atkinson's 2013 novel of the same name. Audiences have been impressed by the performances of both leads, as well as the series' cinematography.
The BAFTA-nominated series, directed by John Crowley, drew comparisons to the beloved Downton Abbey and the film Groundhog Day. One IMDb reviewer wrote: "A refreshing change to the run-of-the-mill period drama."
Viewer reactions to the story
Another viewer described it as a "quality drama", adding: "What a pleasure it is to watch something that is intelligent and meaningful and beautifully written and brilliantly acted." They noted the story deals with "life and death and loss and love and everything that makes up a single life," but for Ursula, that single life is lived many times.
One fan of the novel said they were initially nervous about the adaptation but were not disappointed, writing: "I have loved the book for some years - re-read it several times - so was a little nervous about the TV series. But it was perfect." They added that having the author involved "obviously helped," and that the series "tied it all together better than the book did."
Life After Life is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
