Doctor Who News

Last Tango In Halifax dancing back on to screens

Wednesday, 30 October 2013 - Reported by John Bowman

The second series of BAFTA-winning BBC One romantic drama Last Tango In Halifax will be back on TV screens next month.

Made by Red Production Company and once again comprising six episodes written by Sally Wainwright, it will see Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid returning as the love-struck septuagenarians Alan Buttershaw and Celia Dawson, who rediscover their love for each other 60 years after they first met.

Series one, which aired between 20th November and 19th December 2012, was the BBC's highest-rating new mid-week drama of 2012, regularly attracting more than seven million viewers.

Also starring in it are Sarah Lancashire as Celia's daughter Caroline Elliot and Nicola Walker as Alan's daughter Gillian Greenwood, plus Nina Sosanya as Caroline's lover Kate and Tony Gardner and Ronnie Ancona as, respectively, Caroline's husband John and John's lover Judith.

The first episode of the new series is currently unplaced in the BBC One schedule for Saturday 16th to Friday 22nd November.

We pick up from where we left off with Alan regaining consciousness from his heart scare, much to Celia's relief and delight. She promises to never fall out with him again and, reflecting that life's too short, they decide to get married - in just a fortnight's time.

Things between Caroline and John become fractious when Caroline returns home to find John and Judith drunk and in her bed. To retaliate, she invites Kate to move in - she won't be made a gooseberry in her own home. And finding out that he slept with Gillian adds to her disdain.

Gillian and Alan's relationship takes a hit when he finds out she's slept with John. It's one disappointment after another. In the heat of the moment he reveals to Celia that Gillian had an abortion when she was 15. Two weeks later, Gillian finds the register office card with a reminder of the wedding date and it's today! Why hasn't she been invited? Gillian grabs her keys, but can she get there in time?

Directed by Euros Lyn, filming took place over the summer across the north of England, and Wainwright said:

The inspiration for Last Tango in Halifax was deeply personal so I am delighted that it also resonated with so many viewers – both young and old. The second series will bring even more dramatic twists, trials, and tribulations for the characters, with Alan and Celia's love story continuing to be the beating heart of the series.

Nicola Shindler, the executive producer and founder of Red Production Company, commented;

When we started developing Last Tango in Halifax we wanted to make a love story first and foremost. The audience instantly warmed to the simple and sincere affection between Alan and Celia, which endured despite the dramatic events that transpired around them. Series two promises even more ups and downs, putting even the strongest bonds to the test.

The first series won the Best Drama Series award at this year's TV BAFTAs, and Wainwright was named Best Drama Writer at the 2013 British Academy Television Craft Awards.

UPDATE - 11th NOVEMBER: The new series will start on Tuesday 19th November at 9pm, the BBC has confirmed.

Last Tango In Halifax Recommissioned

Wednesday, 12 December 2012 - Reported by John Bowman

The BBC One drama Last Tango In Halifax has been commissioned for a second series while the first one is still airing.

Written and created by Sally Wainwright and made by Red Production Company, the series - which sees would-be childhood sweethearts Alan Buttershaw, played by Derek Jacobi, and Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) reunited after 60 years - has been the biggest new mid-week drama on any channel this year, with the programme attracting an average consolidated audience of 7.1 million.

With episodes directed by Euros Lyn and with music by Murray Gold, it also stars Sarah Lancashire as Caroline Elliot, Nicola Walker as Gillian Greenwood, and Nina Sosanya as Kate McKenzie.

As with the first series, the second one is understood to be of six episodes, and a Red Production Company spokeswoman told News In Time And Space that filming was likely to start next June. The transmission date is yet to be fixed.

This recommission becomes the fifth successful new returning drama series to be launched on BBC One this year, with the others being The Syndicate, Prisoners' Wives, The Paradise, and Call The Midwife.

BBC One Controller Danny Cohen said:

Last Tango In Halifax tops off a fantastic year for new returning drama series on BBC One, making it five hits to celebrate. Sally Wainwright's scripts and the outstanding cast have unearthed an absolute gem that is captivating audiences of all ages, making it the biggest mid-week drama launch on any channel in 2012.

Sally Wainwright said:

I'm thrilled by the amazing response we've had to Last Tango. People seem to have really engaged with it, and with the wonderful performances of the actors, and I couldn't be happier about being given the chance to take the story further.

Ben Stephenson, Controller of BBC Drama Commissioning, said:

The brilliant scripts, characters, and stories told in Last Tango In Halifax have been so affectionately received by the British public that we couldn't resist a second series. The wonderful cast bring Sally's extraordinary evocation of family life together with real originality and warmth, and I for one can't wait to see what happens in series two!

Co-executive producer Nicola Shindler added:

We're simply delighted! I've been overwhelmed by the audience's reaction to Last Tango In Halifax. With such great characters and fantastic scripts there are so many stories still to tell and we can't wait to get started in series two.

The final two episodes of the current series will air on Tuesday 18th December and Wednesday 19th December on BBC One at 9pm on both days.

Last Tango In Halifax dancing back on to screens

Last Tango In Halifax Recommissioned

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