'Back to Life': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and everything you need to know about the comedy drama series

Miri Matteson returns home after 18 years behind bars and stumbles back into adult life in the claustrophobic coastal town she once knew in this half-hour comedy series
PUBLISHED OCT 21, 2019

When the six-part British comedy 'Back To Life' first premiered on BBC Three on April 15, 2019, it was applauded for fusing grief and comedy through the life of Miri.

Miri, who was released from prison after an 18-year sentence, returned to her parent's home in the small town where she grew up and the crime occurred.

The show was originally produced by 'Fleabag' producer Two Brothers Pictures for the BBC with the broadcaster acquiring the rights after its British run. Here is everything you need to know about the show coming to Showtime.

Release date

The series will premiere in the US on Showtime on November 10, 2019.

Plot

According to the official synopses for 'Back to Life', "Miri Matteson returns home after 18 years behind bars and stumbles back into adult life in the claustrophobic coastal town she once knew in this half-hour comedy series."

"Miri attempts to rekindle old relationships, make new ones, look for work and readjust to life outside, while desperately waiting for the world to forget about what happened on that fateful night," the synopsis adds.

Cast

Daisy Haggard as Miri

Daisy Haggard plays the role of Miri Mattson (Getty Images)

Haggard plays the role of Miri Mattson who is recently released from prison after an 18-year stint for murder. The series follows her life after getting out of prison.

"Despite being surrounded by reminders of her past, and hostility from her community, she tries to remain optimistic and forge a real adult life." The actress created and co-wrote 'Back to Life' with Laura Solon. Haggard is known for her work on BBC sitcoms 'Uncle' and 'Episodes'.

Christine Bottomley as Mandy

Christine Bottomley plays the role of Mandy, Miri’s childhood friend (Getty Images)

Bottomley plays the role of Mandy, Miri’s childhood friend who was also close to the murder victim and is the reason why she never contacted or came to visit Miri in prison. The actress is known for her work on 'Flack', 'Fearless', 'The End of the F***ing World' and 'Hard Sun'. 

Geraldine James as Caroline

Geraldine James Caroline plays Miri’s brittle and uptight mother (Getty Images)

Geraldine James as Caroline is Miri’s brittle and uptight mother who appears to care more about what the community thinks than about the well-being of her own daughter. She is an angry, sexually frustrated woman who acts out in many self-destructive ways.

The actress is nominated four times for BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress for her performance in 'Dummy', 'The Jewel in the Crown', 'Band of Gold' and 'The Sins'. She is known for her work in 'Gandhi', 'Girl with the Dragon Tattoo', '45 Years' and Netflix's 'Anne with an E'. She is currently seen as Queen Mary in the recently released 'Downtown Abbey' movie. 

Richard Durden as Oscar

Actor Richard Durden plays the role of Oscar Matteson, Miri’s reserved father (Getty Images)

Durden plays the role of Oscar Matteson, Miri’s reserved father who is conflict-averse, like most proper British men of his generation, which is why Miri's arrival back home is quite unsettling to him. "He often seems more interested in saving the planet than he is in saving his own marriage."

Creators

The comedy-drama is co-written by Laura Solon and Haggard. Solon is known for writing episodes for 'Hot in Cleveland', 'Office Christmas Party' and 'Back to Life'. 

Trailer

You can watch the trailer here:



 

Coming from the producers of 'Fleabag', the trailer shows Daisy Haggard in the role of Miri Matteson, who is out of prison after an 18-year-old stint for murder. The trailer shows that life after prison is not all that easy as her attempts for a new beginning fall flat. To add to her misery, the town is not all that glad to have her back either. 

Where to watch

'Back to Life' will premiere on Showtime November 10 onwards at 10/9c. 

If you like this, you'll love these:

'Fleabag'

'Sex Education'

'Mutual Friends'

'Episodes'

'Crashing'

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