Back to Life

Name: Back to Life
Genre: Comedy
Released: November 10, 2019
Rating: 88

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 20 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

See All

7.8

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 11 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Series Details & Credits

SHOWTIME | Release Date: November 10, 2019

Summary: The BBC comedy series written by Daisy Haggard and Laura Solon finds Miri Matteson (Daisy Haggard) returning to her hometown after 18 years in prison and trying to start over again.

Genre(s): Comedy

Watch Now

Stream On

Recent Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Nov 8, 2019

Season 1 Review: Haggard’s performance (she’s also a co-writer) is a marvel, whether she’s exuding vulnerability or dishing the sass. Used and abused but never quite de-fused, she propels Back to Life to the top tier of this season’s newcomers, with ample help from a crackerjack ensemble. Read full review

100

Glenn Garvin

Aug 9, 2021

Season 1 Review: Bouncing unpredictably between somber dejection and daffy dark humor, Back to Life shouldn't work at all. Yet it does, wonderfully. Read full review

100

The Guardian Lucy Mangan

Aug 31, 2021

Season 2 Review: The show has lost none of its delicacy or nuance, nor have its makers disturbed its heart and soul – in fact, they have only added to it. All this, and extra Janice too. Quality pum-pum all round. Read full review

IndieWire Steve Greene

Sep 13, 2021

Season 2 Review: In most cases, the only thing that these characters can do is reach for a joke as a blade to cut through that haze. “Back to Life” manages to make room for more laughs than that, and its ability to let all of this live side by side helps make it unlike pretty much anything else on TV. Read full review

The Times Carol Midgley

Jan 7, 2020

Season 1 Review: It is growing on me largely because it is well written and multi-layered, managing to be sweet, tragic and a little bit sick. Oh, and quietly funny, which is not easily done in these circs. Read full review

John Anderson

Nov 8, 2019

Season 1 Review: “Back to Life,” at least on paper, shouldn’t work at all. But it does. And though matters seem to wrap up tidily with episode 6, a viewer will be hoping there’s more to come. Read full review

Lily Moayeri

Sep 8, 2021

Season 2 Review: While the humor of Back to Life’s second season is still razor-sharp, the sinister elements and the characters’ excruciating pain override the laughs, tipping the series into highly sensitive human interactions and dangerous, heightened feelings much more so than comedy. ... Six episodes per season is simply not enough of this charming. if disturbing, series. Read full review

SEE ALL 20 REVIEWS

User Score

Write a Review

7.8

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

User Reviews

AshenWon

Jul 20, 2022

Pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this. Not my typical watch, and I frequently avoid, or at minimum, consciously skeptical on BBC productions, but this was rather good. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a female lead that has character, personality, imperfections and isn’t a modern femalePleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this. Not my typical watch, and I frequently avoid, or at minimum, consciously skeptical on BBC productions, but this was rather good. It’s a breath of fresh air to see a female lead that has character, personality, imperfections and isn’t a modern female messiah.

The format of 6x25 minute episodes makes this easy to consume in a couple of sittings. The core story and branching plots are engaging and grounded. The casting is top notch, and the actors and actresses delivery is exceptional, particularly Daisy Haggard. The show also has the ability to expertly balance both comedy and tragedy.

Touching moments on second chances and forgiveness and a dark insight into the publics lack of empathy and harsh nature to judge people on what they see in the news, rumours, social media and simply that which they do not understand or cannot sympathise with.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JonathanCash

Feb 6, 2021

Poor writing and poor acting. Doesn't seem like it was written by a human and the characters don't behave or talk like humans would in real life. They are like poor caricatures of types of people who don't even exist. The plot is quite self-indulgent toward the main character which wasPoor writing and poor acting. Doesn't seem like it was written by a human and the characters don't behave or talk like humans would in real life. They are like poor caricatures of types of people who don't even exist. The plot is quite self-indulgent toward the main character which was disappointing. The viewer is expected to believe that her friends and ex-boyfriend still care about her and haven't moved on with their lives entirely in the 18 years she spent in prison... Not likely.

Cinematography and color grading are typical for the time period, using similar techniques found in other BBC dramas (they love their teal and orange). Some awkward shots here and there, and occasionally the footage is cut in a way that messes with the pacing of the already unusual dialogue. The show does make good use of panned shots to indicate key plot elements.

However, the basic plot and premise of the show was interesting and entertaining enough to keep me watching even if I found the other content of the show to be mediocre. Overall the show could have been done a lot better, but it's a pretty cheap BBC drama. The 6 episode run-length and 20 minutes per episode makes it easily digestable without having to make much commitment to the series. I'd only recommend watching it if you're bored and stuck for something to do with nothing else to watch.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Seasons & Episodes

88

Series Overview
Season 2

87
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 13, 2021
- No episode information is currently available for this season
Season 1

88
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: November 10, 2019