Last Tango in Halifax

B OX S E T

Talk about a dream team. A multi-awardwinning screenwriter, a pair of muchloved, top-class veteran thesps plus two of the most acclaimed TV actresses of their generation; Last Tango in Halifax was bound to be a success. (And that’s even before you take into consideration the glorious Yorkshire setting).

First appearing on our screens in

2012, Sally Wainwright’s comedy-drama was inspired by the heart-warming true story of her mother and stepfather who were childhood friends, lost contact and 60 years later reconnected through social media and were married within six months. Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi play Celia Dawson and Alan Buttershaw, respectively. Both widowed and in their 70s, they are persuaded to join Facebook by their grandchilden which enables them to rediscover each other and rekindle their teenage romance.

Initially this doesn’t go down too well with Anne’s headmistress daughter Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) and Alan’s tenant farmer daughter Gillian (Nicola Walker). Their own lives are pretty complicated. Caroline is coping with the breakdown of her marriage to louche academic John (Tony Gardner) due to his affair with a student (Ronni Ancona) and her own growing attraction to her colleague Kate (Nina Sosanya). Meanwhile Gillian has financial difficulties and seems to have the knack of getting involved with the wrong man.

There is conflict and joy, laughter and tears, heartbreak and happiness and a whole lot of spot-on observations on family dynamics, love and relationships.

Treat yourself – all five series are now available on BBC iPlayer.

PICTURE: TONY JOHNSON. CO- STARS: At the Yorkshire premiere of the fifth series of Last Tango in Halifax, Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi on the red carpet at the Square Chapel in Halifax.