Life After Life ★★★★
BBC2, TUESDAY 19 APRIL, 9PM
Kate Atkinson’s 2013 novel Life After Life was her most ambitious and acclaimed yet, getting showered with awards as well as becoming a big bestseller. The narrative follows character Ursula, as she experiences various contrasting versions of her life, dying and getting born time and again, with vastly different consequences for her and taking in the little matter of two world wars. This bold premise has been turned into a four-part drama, written by Bash Doran and directed by John Crowley, with Thomasin Mckenzie, from Last Night In Soho, in the lead role of Ursula. She initially says goodbye to her brother Teddy (Sean Delaney) as he heads off to war, and asks him, “What if you could live your life over again?” Sure enough, it seems Ursula can. Also starring Sian Clifford, Jessica Brown Findlay, James Mcardle and Jessica Hynes, it’s utterly intriguing stuff.