Daisy Haggard has started shooting series two of hit comedy Back to Life, with Meera Syal (The Split, The Kumars at No.42) and Adrian Edmondson (War & Peace, The Young Ones) added to the cast. The series will air on BBC Three and SHOWTIME later this year.
Created by and starring Daisy Haggard and co-written by Haggard (Breeders) and Perrier Award winner Laura Solon (Office Christmas Party, Let it Snow), Back to Life is one of the break-out shows of recent years. It premiered on BBC Three in 2019 and garnered rave reviews before its BBC One and SHOWTIME premieres, culminating in an International Emmy® nomination. Back to Life follows Miri Matteson returning to life in her quiet hometown after 18 years in prison.
Returning cast includes Adeel Akhtar (Murdered by My Father, Four Lions) as Billy. Geraldine James (Sherlock Holmes, Calendar Girls) as Miri’s mum Caroline. Christine Bottomley (The End of the F****ing World, Fearless) as Mandy. Plus Jo Martin (Batman Begins, Doctor Who) as Miri’s parole officer Janice. Richard Durden (Harlots, Silent Witness) as Oscar. Jamie Michie (Game of Thrones, Shetland) as Dom. Juliet Cowan (The End of the F****ing World, Killed by My Debt) as Tina.
Series two was commissioned by Shane Allen, Director of Comedy Commissioning and Fiona Campbell, Controller for BBC Three, and by Gary Levine and Jana Winograde, Presidents of Entertainment, Showtime Networks Inc.
Daisy Haggard said: “Laura and I are thrilled to finally start shooting the second series of Back to Life. We were blown away by the reception to the first series, so it was both nerve wracking and exciting to write season 2! We can’t wait for you all to see the next chapter…”
Shane Allen, Director of Comedy Commissioning at the BBC, said: “The clever and twisted storytelling delves even deeper in this propulsive mystery peppered with playful black humour. This is a golden age for UK comedy talent to reach audiences across the world with the BBC kickstarting the journey.”
The series is produced by Two Brothers Pictures. Laura Solon will also executive produce. Series two is directed by Ella Jones and produced by Catherine Gosling Fuller. Kate Daughton will be handing over BBC Commissioning Editor duties to Tanya Qureshi for series two.
Picture of Daisy Haggard: Luke Varley
