Kira Jane Buxton

The provided text details the BBC television drama series "This Life," focusing on its production, broadcast history, locations, and plotlines across its two series and a reunion special. The show, created by Amy Jenkins, centered on a group of young law graduates sharing a house in South London. It gained popularity through word-of-mouth and critical acclaim, eventually being recognized as one of the greatest British television programs. The series explored the characters' career ambitions, personal relationships, and struggles with identity and sexuality. Notable cast members included Martin Freeman and Jodie Whittaker in early roles. The text also outlines the specific filming locations and the narrative arcs of the main characters, such as Egg, Milly, Anna, Miles, and Warren.

"This Life" was a British television drama produced by World Productions for BBC Two, airing from 1996 to 1997 with a reunion special in 2007. The series followed the lives of several law graduates in their twenties as they navigated their careers and shared a residence in South London. Unlike typical legal dramas, it deliberately avoided courtroom scenes for the most part, focusing instead on the characters' personal and professional development. The show achieved significant popularity through word-of-mouth, earning a place on the BFI's list of the 100 greatest British television programmes.

Conceived and primarily written by Amy Jenkins, "This Life" also featured contributions from other writers and was executive produced by Tony Garnett. Initially met with modest critical success, the first series's broadcast was followed by a repeat run that significantly boosted its profile, generating critical buzz and anticipation for the second series. The second series saw increased viewership, attracting around four million viewers for BBC Two and becoming a national talking point. The show has been repeated multiple times and made available on demand, with a recent repeat on BBC Four in 2020 dedicated to the late Tony Garnett.

The series centered on a core group of housemates, including Edgar "Egg" Cooke, Milly, Anna, Miles, and Warren. Egg and Milly's relationship faced tension due to their differing career ambitions, while Anna and Miles had a complex, on-again-off-again dynamic. Warren, a gay character, explored his sexuality and came out to friends and family. Miles's relationships were often turbulent, involving a drug-addicted girlfriend and later a fiancée, Francesca. The second series expanded the narrative to include supporting characters like Ferdy, Rachel, and Jo, further developing the intricate relationships and conflicts within the group, culminating in significant confrontations.

In 2006, a reunion special titled "This Life + 10" was produced, reuniting the original cast to explore the characters' lives a decade later. The special began with the housemates gathering for Ferdy's funeral and revealed updates on their relationships and careers. The cast included actors who would later achieve significant fame, such as Martin Freeman in an early role in the second series and Jodie Whittaker in the reunion special. The show's filming locations, including specific streets and buildings in South London, were integral to its depiction of urban professional life.