Controversial cult drama This Life the latest 90s TV classic to be revived
FROM Cold Feet to Sex And The City, Nineties TV classics seem to be making quite a comeback.
Now producers are about to revive another favourite — cult drama This Life, which launched amid controversy 25 years ago.
Work has started on revisiting the BBC2 show that followed five twenty-something law students having sex and taking drugs as they shared a large London house together.
A TV insider said: “This Life was one of those shows that was short-lived but created a huge stir when it first aired.
“It tackled issues which were still relatively taboo in the mid-Nineties.
“Development of the reboot is still in its very early stages.
“It’s not clear whether it will feature a new line-up of twentysomethings, or star the original cast.
“It could be a combination of both. At this stage it hasn’t been commissioned by the Beeb, which would be the new series’ natural home.
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“That means if it does get revived, it could spark a bidding war to air the finished product.”
This Life helped launch the careers of Andrew Lincoln, who played Egg and later starred in The Walking Dead, and Jack Davenport, who was Miles and appeared in Pirates Of The Caribbean.
The series was famous for reflecting the hedonistic new era around the time of Britpop.
As well as sex and drugs it blazed a trail by having a gay man — Warren, played by Midsomer Murders star Jason Hughes — as one of its five main characters. Other central roles included Anna (Daniela Nardini) and Milly (Amita Dhiri).
The drama was made by World Productions, which is now better known for bringing us high-octane cop shows including Line Of Duty, Bodyguard and current BBC1 hit Vigil, starring Suranne Jones.
But the company has also been behind an eclectic mix of projects over the past three decades, including vampire thriller Ultraviolet and medical drama No Angels, which were both screened on Channel 4.
I am all for bringing back more popular shows from the Nineties — as long as the list does not include Dawson’s Creek or Bad Girls.
Kelvin is back on the farm
KELVIN FLETCHER hoped to launch his career in a different direction when he won Strictly two years ago, after becoming a household name on farming soap Emmerdale.
But the actor is now returning to primetime BBC1 with a brand-new show . . . all about farming.
The as-yet-untitled programme will follow Kelvin, his actress wife Liz Marsland and their two young children as they start a fresh life in the countryside.
Kelvin, who won Strictly’s Glitterball trophy with pro dancer Oti Mabuse in 2019, spent two decades playing Andy Sugden on Emmerdale from 1996.
But despite being in the soap, which is set in the Yorkshire Dales, for that length of time, Kelvin later admitted he knew barely anything about agriculture.
If he wants to see what gruelling work is involved, he had better watch Channel 5’s reboot of All Creatures Great And Small – and roll his sleeves up.
Miriam’s wealth of tales
MIRIAM MARGOLYES is now something of a regular on The Graham Norton Show, and I don’t blame her.
She revealed she gets paid a fortune each time.
Miriam said: “You know, when you go on Graham Norton, you get £10,000?”
During her appearances, she has sat alongside Bruno Mars, Will.I.Am and Lily Allen and recounted anecdotes on everything from drug busts to self-pleasure.
But Graham says that they have to try hard not to invite the outrageous actress on too often.
Of her first appearance on the BBC1 chat show in 2003, Graham said: “She told a brilliant story, unprovoked, about getting a parking ticket in Covent Garden and ending up stripping herself completely naked in Bow Street police station.
“We have to resist the temptation to have her on every week. We use her sparingly – it’s almost a case of ‘break glass in case of emergency’.’”
Janine hitting the bar
EASTENDERS baddie Janine Butcher will be even more of a fixture after returning to Albert Square – by getting a job in the Queen Vic.
I can reveal that she will persuade Frankie Lewis to give her shifts behind the bar pulling pints after running low on cash.
The popular character, played by Charlie Brooks, has only been back on the soap for a few weeks but she is already making waves.
Fans have seen her flirt with fellow Walford newcomer Zack Hudson and get trapped in Phil Mitchell’s burning house while tracking down her nine-year-old daughter Scarlett.
Despite Janine often having dark story lines, Charlie recently admitted she hopes the character will bring some joy to the show.
She said: “I would like to see Janine running a club with loads of drag queens and have little Scarlett in there with us. You know, like RuPaul.”
Bill: I’ll Corrie on going
CORONATION Street legend Bill Roache has vowed to remain in the soap for the rest of his life.
The actor, 89, who plays Ken Barlow, has been a key part of the show since it started in 1960.
He said: “I am happy to stay until they write me out – or carry me out. I like being a part of the Coronation Street family and success story, so I have no plans to call it a day.
“Wouldn’t it be good if one day the scriptwriters could add in a piece about Ken Barlow receiving his 100th birthday telegram from The Queen?”