Life Begins

Infobox television
show_name = Life Begins


country= UK
caption =
format = Drama
picture_format =
runtime = 60 minutes
creator = Mike Bullen
executive_producer = Andy Harries
starring = Caroline Quentin
Alexander Armstrong
Elliot Henderson Boyle
Ace Destiny Ryan
Anne Reid
Frank Finlay
channel = ITV
first_aired = February 16 2004
last_aired = October 9 2006
num_series = 3
num_episodes = 19
producer = ITV Productions
related =
imdb_id = 0398504

"Life Begins" is a British television drama broadcast on ITV, starring Caroline Quentin and Alexander Armstrong, Anne Reid and Frank Finlay.

History

The first season of "Life Begins" began on February 16, 2004. The first series was a success. The show managed viewing figures ranging from 9.51 to 10.45 million winning all of its timeslots. [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500.] The series has been aired on Channel Seven in Australia and TV ONE in New Zealand.

As the first "Life Begins" was so popular a second series was launched which began on February 16, 2005. Series two received strong ratings of 6.38 to 8.62 million. [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500] A third season started on September 4, 2006 on ITV. Again the viewing figures were still high managing to win half of its timeslots with figures of 5.79 to 6.32 million. [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/weekreports.cfm?report=weeklyterrestrial&RequestTimeout=500]

It was always intended by the writers that the third series would be the last. A fourth series is unlikely, though possible.

Basic plot

The story focuses intensely on Phil and Maggie Thornhill, and their two children James and Rebecca. It also features various friends and relatives of the couple. The series depicts typical family life and presents the struggles of friends and family members, such as Maggie's parents.

Episode list

eries One (2004)

*"Maggie and Phil" - while Maggie and Phil Mee are on holiday with friends Clare and Guy, Maggie’s husband Phil decides that he wants to leave her. Soon after, he moves out and finds a flat of his own. Now Maggie must cope on her own with her two children.

*"Maggie, Brenda & Eric" - Maggie finds a job at a travel agency. To Maggie’s displeasure, her husband Phil arrives to book a holiday for him and his new girlfriend Anna. Meanwhile Maggie learns that her father has some serious problems with his memory.

*"Maggie, Kathleen & Sam" - Phil and Maggie are forced to see a mediator to sort out their assets. But Phil is being less than honest about his earnings, so Maggie threatens to contact the Child Support Agency. She also goes out with her work friends, waking up the next morning with a young man.

*"Maggie, Clare & Guy" - As a result of the previous night, Maggie is embarrassed about asking for the morning-after pill. Her work friends decide to send her on a blind date. She starts to spend a lot of time with friend Guy which causes Clare to become suspicious. Meanwhile Anna has moved in with Maggie's husband Phil, causing Maggie to become extremely angry.

*"Maggie and Helen" - Maggie decides to go speed dating with work colleague Helen which ends in a total catastrophe. But Phil didn't like the idea of Maggie going speed dating, consequently he becomes frustrated. But soon after, her son James's history teacher; Paul Winston, takes an unexpected interest in Maggie.

*"Maggie and Paul" - Maggie begins a relationship with Paul. A situation arises where things become very awkward as Phil turns up with the children after having a row with girlfriend Anna, causing them to split up. Now Maggie must decide which man she wants to be with, her husband who left her with two children, or her new boyfriend.

eries Two (2005)

*"Things Are Changing" - The travel agency Maggie works for takes over another branch. As a result, Genevieve and Kevin join the staff. At Phil's work however, on the contrary, cuts are being made by his ex-girlfriend Anna. Friend to Maggie and Phil: Guy decides to expand his business. Meanwhile Maggie’s dad gives a talk at a local school on his wartime memories.

*"From the Past" - Maggie has been made the deputy at the travel agency, however, she doesn’t seem to be getting along with colleague Genevieve. Brenda, Maggie’s mum has an old flame re-enter her life and Rebecca’s new boyfriend is not approved of. Phil starts depending on Maggie in fear that his redundancy is looming.

*"Time Goes By" - When Maggie comforts Phil, their friend Guy gets the wrong idea and misunderstands their situation. Maggie also discovers why Genevieve is constantly late for work, she reveals to Maggie that she is the single mum to an autistic child. Meanwhile Maggie and Paul can’t seem to get any time alone with each other.
*"Under Pressure" - Even though Maggie is separated from her husband, he seems to be spending more time at home than ever, although, boyfriend Paul doesn’t seem to notice or get irritated at all. Oddly Maggie shows empathy towards Phil’s circumstances. However, to resolve the situation, Phil is now moving into Paul’s old flat while Paul moves in with Maggie in order to spend more time with her.

*"Break for Love" - Maggie becomes aware of the strain her mother Brenda is under while trying to cope with her husband Eric who has Alzheimer’s. Maggie suggests that he comes to stay while Brenda goes away for a weekend. But Brenda doesn't go away with friend Nancy like Maggie thinks. She’s away with old flame Frank. Clare consults Maggie about her spending so much time with Phil.

*"Hidden Pain" - With Rebecca feeling annoyed with her mum and breaking up with her boyfriend, she feels a huge strain and decides to go next door to talk with Samantha. But while Rebecca is there, she takes some pills and is rushed to hospital. Her dad Phil is furious and takes it out on Paul who was meant to look after her.

*"When Lives Collide" - Maggie plans a big Christmas holiday for her family and friends, including Paul, her children, her parents, and friends Clare and Guy. But Phil thinks that he and Maggie still have a chance together. Meanwhile Paul gets a visit from his ex-wife Paula.

eries Three (2006)

*Episode one - Maggie makes a fresh start with Phil in a new house. However, Maggie still doesn’t feel comfortable with her current relationship with Phil. Phil’s boss Brian arrives unexpectedly to stay with them as his wife Penny has thrown him out of their home. Meanwhile Maggie and Phil have an awkward misunderstanding with their new next door neighbours, Mia and Nick the swingers, mistake Maggie and Phil for being swingers as well. The misunderstanding gets them laughing again.

*Episode two - Phil wants Maggie to give up her job at the travel agents in order to help James with his schoolwork, as they fear that James may fail his GCSE exams again. To the surprise of her colleagues Maggie hands in her notice, but she has second thoughts when Penny reveals that Phil and Brian were seen at a lap-dancing club. Meanwhile Penny invites Brian home, but to sleep in the garage and not in the house like Brian had previously thought.

*Episode three - Maggie grows more concerned about her relationship with Phil. She thinks that he’s having an affair with a new client. Maggie has second thoughts about going away for her work weekend as her main priority is trying to resolve her current situation. Finally she decides to go on the weekend but rings home to check-up on Phil. His new client answers making Maggie livid and reinforcing her thoughts that Phil is betraying her again. Phil arrives at Maggie's hotel, but was not having an affair. They now realize that they have serious issues to deal with.
*Episode four - Mia, Maggie’s next door neighbour suggest that Maggie and Phil try something different. Maggie starts Spanish classes and goes out for a meal with them. But Phil wasn't interested in doing either showing no support towards Maggie. while out, she gets talking to an ex-cancer patient Will, which prompts her to think about travelling. Later on Maggie ends up looking after her colleagues baby which gives Phil the idea that having a baby would save his and Maggie’s marriage. Maggie isn't convinced however.

*Episode five - Maggie finds out that she is actually pregnant. She goes to the abortion clinic but she can’t go through with the termination or break the news about the baby to Phil. Later on she collapses at work and is rushed to hospital where she loses the baby. Meanwhile, Phil is sacked from his job by his boss Brian. Having talked to next door neighbour Nick, Phil sets up his own business at home, taking on Penny as his first customer. while at the travel agency, Jeff introduces the new regional manager whom was the father of Genevieve's child, that left them fend for themselves.

*Episode six - With Maggie having decided to go travelling with friend Will, it turns out he cannot go. Mia and Nick have more disagreements, as a result, Nick moves out and their house is put up for sale. Meanwhile Maggie’s parents cannot find a suitable house in which to move, so Phil has an idea for Brenda and Eric to move into the house next door. It is decided that Phil will go travelling with Maggie to South America instead of Will, while Mia looks after James and Rebecca.

Cast

*Caroline Quentin - Maggie Mee
*Alexander Armstrong - Phil Mee
*Elliot Henderson-Boyle - James Mee
*Ace Ryan - Rebecca Mee
*Anne Reid - Brenda Thornhill
*Frank Finlay - Eric Thornhill
*Claire Skinner - Clare
*Stuart McQuarrie - Guy
*Ellie Haddington - Kathleen
*Sarah Ozeke - Karen
*Beans El-Balawi - Freddie
*Roy Dotrice - Frank
*Alan Williams - George
*Naomi Allis stone - Anna
*Chloe Howman - Helen
*Paul Thornley - Jeff
*Danny Webb - Paul
*Abby Ford - Samantha
*Michelle Holmes - Genevieve
*Finlay Robertson - Kevin
*David Westhead - Brian
*Suzanne Burden - Penny
*Alexandra Gilbreath - Mia
*Matthew Cottle - Nick
*Jon Newman - Simon
*Lewis Rose - Tom

Air Dates

UK air dates

*Series One - February 16, 2004 to March 22, 2004
*Series Two - February 16, 2005 to March 30, 2005
*Series Three - September 4, 2006 to October 9, 2006

International air dates

Ratings in Australia: The first episode of the first series aired over Australia's non ratings period, and the opening episode rated 1.1 million mainland capital city viewerscite web | title=SMH: Stay In Touch | work=Sydney Morning Herald | url=http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/2006/12/first_day_of_th.html | accessdate=31 July | accessyear=2007] , which was the 12th most watched show for the week. Ratings continued around the one million viewers mark throughout series one. The first episode of series two moved to 9:30pm and rated 998,000 viewers, ranking first in its time slot. The second episode rated 853,000 viewers. [cite web | title=SMH: Stay In Touch | work=Sydney Morning Herald | url=http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/2007/08/ratings_race_next.html| accessdate=8 August | accessyear=2007]

References

Further reading

*cite news|author=Staff writer|title= Life begins at 6.00am|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/threecounties/content/articles/2004/10/26/life_begins_filming_feature.shtml|work= bbc.co.uk|publisher= BBC|date= 2004-10-26|accessdate= 2008-07-13

External links

*imdb title|id=0398504|title=Life Begins