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|OriginalAirDate=20 November 2012
|OriginalAirDate=20 November 2012
|Aux2= 7.034
|Aux2= 7.034
|ShortSummary= Recently widowed Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) contacts Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi) — a former romantic interest whom she has not seen in 50 years — on the social networking site [[Facebook]]. Celia's daughter Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) is surprised by the revelation, though distracted by her own romantic problems involving her adulterous husband (Tony Gardner) and her own affair with a female colleague, Kate (Nina Sosanya). Alan and Celia meet in Skipton and immediately rekindle their friendship. Celia's car is later damaged in pursuit of a young man who stole Alan's vehicle. Caroline and Alan's daughter Gillian (Nicola Walker) clash on first encounter after rushing to collect their parents; both are shocked to discover that Alan and Celia plan to marry.
|ShortSummary= Recently widowed Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) contacts Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi) — a former romantic interest whom she has not seen in 60 years — on the social networking site [[Facebook]]. Celia's daughter Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) is surprised by the revelation, though distracted by her own romantic problems involving her adulterous husband (Tony Gardner) and her own affair with a female colleague, Kate (Nina Sosanya). Alan and Celia meet in [[Skipton]] and immediately rekindle their friendship. Celia's car is later damaged in pursuit of a young man who stole Alan's vehicle. Caroline and Alan's daughter Gillian (Nicola Walker) clash on first encounter after rushing to collect their parents; both are shocked to discover that Alan and Celia plan to marry.
|LineColor= 9BA54C
|LineColor= 9BA54C
}}
}}
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|OriginalAirDate=4 December 2012
|OriginalAirDate=4 December 2012
|Aux2=7.508
|Aux2=7.508
|ShortSummary= A badly beaten Paul moves in with Gillian, whilst her son Raff moves in with his father's brother Robbie (Dean Andrews) who blames Gillian for her husband's death. Meanwhile, Caroline quarrels with John and is overheard by Alan and Celia. Caroline confesses to Kate that she finds it difficult to express her emotions honestly. Alan and Celia begin looking at wedding venues. A Church of England priest discourages them from having a church wedding as neither party has attended services in more than thirty years. Celia and Alan discuss politics and religion and the liberal Alan is surprised by Celia's conservative views. They visit a stately home as a possible wedding venue but become locked inside overnight.
|ShortSummary= A badly beaten Paul moves in with Gillian, whilst her son Raff moves in with his father's brother Robbie (Dean Andrews), who blames Gillian for her husband's death. Meanwhile, Caroline quarrels with John and is overheard by Alan and Celia. Caroline confesses to Kate that she finds it difficult to express her emotions honestly. Alan and Celia begin looking at wedding venues. A [[Church of England]] [[vicar]] discourages them from having a church wedding, as neither party has attended services in more than 30 years. Celia and Alan discuss politics and religion, and the liberal Alan is surprised by Celia's conservative views. They visit a stately home in [[Southowram]] (Southowram Hall<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sharetv.com/shows/last_tango_in_halifax_uk/episodes/709589|website=Sharetv|title=''Last Tango In Halifax'' (UK) » Season 1 » 01x03 » Episode 3 » Trivia}}</ref>) as a possible wedding venue but become locked inside overnight.
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|LineColor=9BA54C
}}
}}
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|OriginalAirDate=11 December 2012
|OriginalAirDate=11 December 2012
|Aux2=7.334
|Aux2=7.334
|ShortSummary= Alan and Celia spend a night in the stately home. Gillian and Caroline are unable to make contact with their parents, both of whom have no mobile phone signal. Gillian's worry prompts Raff and Robbie to visit and they become closer. Caroline spends the night at Gillian's whilst awaiting news of Alan and Celia and the two women bond over their fears and their respective problems with children and partners. Paul works out that Alan and Celia may have been visiting the stately home and the police eventually find them. Caroline grows frustrated with John and admits to seeing an unnamed other.
|ShortSummary= Alan and Celia spend a night in Southowram Hall. Gillian and Caroline are unable to make contact with their parents, neither of whom has a mobile phone signal. Gillian's worry prompts Raff and Robbie to visit, and they become closer. Caroline spends the night at Gillian's whilst awaiting news of Alan and Celia, and the two women bond over their fears and their respective problems with children and partners. Paul works out that Alan and Celia may have been visiting Southowram Hall, and the police eventually find them. Caroline grows frustrated with John and admits to seeing an unnamed other.
|LineColor=9BA54C
|LineColor=9BA54C
}}
}}
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|OriginalAirDate=18 December 2012
|OriginalAirDate=18 December 2012
|Aux2=7.492
|Aux2=7.492
|ShortSummary= Alan confides his darkest secret to Celia: that when Gillian's abusive husband Eddie committed suicide she refrained from calling an ambulance and that he holds himself partly responsible for the man's death. Under the influence of alcohol, Gillian sleeps with a troubled John. Caroline meanwhile, prepares to go public about her lesbian relationship with Kate. Whilst William had suspected the relationship and is happy for her, Lawrence (Louis Greatorex), her younger son, is upset and confused. Caroline's birthday evening with Kate and her two sons is ruined by the arrival of an extremely drunk Judith, who ends up in [[accident and emergency]]. John discovers that Caroline is seeing Kate, and informs Celia.
|ShortSummary= Alan confides his darkest secret to Celia: that when Gillian's less-than-ideal husband Eddie attempted suicide, he did not die immediately, and she refrained from calling an ambulance; because he did not tell that to the police, Alan holds himself partly responsible for the man's death. Under the influence of alcohol, Gillian sleeps with the troubled John. Caroline meanwhile, prepares to go public about her lesbian relationship with Kate. Whilst William had suspected the relationship and is happy for her, Lawrence (Louis Greatorex), Caroline's younger son, is upset and confused. Caroline's birthday evening with Kate and her two sons is ruined by the arrival of an extremely drunk Judith, who ends up in [[accident and emergency]]. John discovers that Caroline is seeing Kate, and informs Celia.
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}}
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|OriginalAirDate=19 December 2012
|OriginalAirDate=19 December 2012
|Aux2=7.480
|Aux2=7.480
|ShortSummary= Celia refuses to accept Caroline's relationship with Kate; her homophobic views shock Alan, who implores her to give Kate a chance. Celia agrees to meet Kate at a dinner party hosted by Caroline. However, Celia's bigotry and hostility towards Kate ruins the evening, leading Alan to call off the wedding and driving a wedge between Caroline and Kate. Caroline and Celia have a blazing row, trading insults and expletives. Celia realises that her behaviour had made her daughter unhappy and visits Kate, apologising for her own behaviour and imploring that she give Caroline another chance. Alan meanwhile, suffers a [[heart attack]]. Celia realises that she may have lost everything and rushes to his bedside. They reconcile and decide the wedding will go ahead. The first series ends with a flashback to sixty years ago, showing the teenage Alan asking Celia on a date, just as the present-day Alan regains consciousness.
|ShortSummary= Celia refuses to accept Caroline's relationship with Kate; her homophobic views shock Alan, who implores her to give Kate a chance. Celia agrees to meet Kate at a dinner party hosted by Caroline. However, Celia's bigotry and hostility towards Kate ruins the evening, leading Alan to call off the wedding and driving a wedge between Caroline and Kate. Caroline and Celia have a blazing row, trading insults and expletives. Celia realises that her behaviour had made her daughter unhappy and visits Kate, apologising for her own behaviour and imploring Kate to give Caroline another chance. Alan, meanwhile, suffers a [[heart attack]]. Celia realises that she may have lost everything and rushes to his bedside. They reconcile and decide the wedding will go ahead. The first series ends with a flashback to 60 years ago, showing the teenage Alan asking Celia on a date, just as the present-day Alan regains consciousness.


Between the end of the episode and the closing credits, a dedication to Alec Walker (1929–2009), who inspired the character of Alan Buttershaw, is shown.
Between the end of the episode and the closing credits, a dedication to Alec Walker (1929–2009), who inspired the character of Alan Buttershaw, is shown.

Revision as of 05:01, 16 September 2014

Last Tango in Halifax
Alt=Series title over coloured overlapping stripes
GenreRomantic drama
Written bySally Wainwright
Starring
ComposerMurray Gold
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series2
No. of episodes12
Production
Executive producerNicola Shindler
Production locationYorkshire
Running time60 minutes
Production companyRed Production Company
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release20 November 2012 (2012-11-20) –
present

Last Tango in Halifax is a British romantic drama series that started airing on BBC One on 20 November 2012. The series was written by Sally Wainwright, who was inspired by witnessing the happiness her mother's second marriage brought her late in life. Last Tango in Halifax stars Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid as widowed septuagenarians, Alan and Celia, childhood sweethearts who have been apart for 60 years. Re-united via Facebook, they meet, fall in love and plan to marry. Reid and Jacobi enjoyed having the chance to play out a love story between older people that was not ageist or stereotyped.[citation needed]

Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker star as Caroline, Celia's daughter, and Gillian, Alan's daughter, respectively. Other characters are played by Nina Sosanya, Tony Gardner, Ronni Ancona, Dean Andrews, Sacha Dhawan and Josh Bolt.

The American broadcast television network PBS picked up the first series and began airing it in September 2013. The series has been praised for its depiction of the older generation, strong acting, and believable dialogue. A critic for The Daily Telegraph summarised the series as "a triumph against TV's ageism", and it has been endorsed by an executive member of the charity Age UK. Ahead of the series' American premiere, a critic for the Los Angeles Times described it as "the best new show of the fall". Last Tango in Halifax accrued four nominations for the 2013 British Academy Television Awards and won the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series.

A second series was commissioned, and filming began in summer 2013. It was broadcast on BBC One from 19 November 2013 to 24 December 2013. A third series has been commissioned.[1]

Overview

Celia Dawson and Alan Buttershaw are both widowed and in their seventies. In the 1950s they were attracted to each other but never expressed their feelings, and Celia moved away with her parents. In the present day they are reunited after being persuaded to join Facebook by their respective grandchildren.[2] Alan has "loved Celia since he was 16 years old",[3] whilst Celia is described as a woman who is "unfulfilled" having been unhappily married to a man she grew to hate.[3] After their reunion, Alan and Celia discover that they still feel as passionately for each other as they did when they were teenagers. Their story is described as a testament of the "uplifting power of love at any age".[2]

Alan and Celia's romance is depicted alongside the troubles of their own grown-up daughters; the series' press pack describes the portrayal of family as being "as dark as it is comic".[2] Alan's daughter Gillian and Celia's daughter Caroline are complete opposites; widowed Gillian runs a farm and works part-time in a supermarket,[3] whilst Oxford-educated[3] Caroline is headmistress of a successful school.[2] Their parents' engagement affects both daughters' lives; Gillian wonders how she and her son will cope without her father around to help,[4] whilst Caroline, struggling with depression and her feelings for a female colleague, feels her mother's unconventional romance gives her "'permission' to finally admit to being who she really is."[5]

Production

Concept and writing

The series is based on lead writer Sally Wainwright's personal experiences.[6] She described it as "the most personal thing I've ever written".[7] Her mother, Dorothy, lost contact with a childhood friend, Alec Walker,[6] when she was 15, but they reconnected on the social networking website Friends Reunited 60 years later[7] and within six months were married. Wainwright said the relationship between her mother and Alec "was so beautiful and uplifting that it inspired everyone around them".[8] When she told the story to her colleague Nicola Shindler, Shindler suggested she turn her experience into a television series. Shindler became the series' executive producer and according to Wainwright, the script was sold "instantly".[8]

The character of Celia is based on Dorothy; Wainwright has noted that her mother "became so passionate and emotional" after falling in love again.[8] Some scenes in the series are based on true events. In one episode Celia and Alan are shown laughing at an argument between Caroline and her husband in the next room; Wainwright recalls discovering her mother and stepfather in the same situation after having Wainwright had had an argument with her husband Austin.[8] Caroline's discomfort with Celia's discussing her sex life is based on a conversation Wainwright had with her mother. Dorothy's husband died three years into their marriage, but according to Wainwright she was "delighted" to have their relationship dramatised; Wainwright believes Last Tango in Halifax is "a celebration of how fantastic the whole thing was".[8]

Though largely biographical, the series does contain some invented story lines. In real life, Alec and Dorothy's families had a good relationship from the start, whereas in the TV series, Caroline and Gillian initially have a feud.[8] Whilst Jacobi and Reid's storyline is predominantly uplifting, the actions of their onscreen families was intended to provide a contrast. With regard to Alan and Celia's dysfunctional families, Wainwright states that they "bring drama and chaos at every turn" and that the series aims to "get under the skin of these characters".[6]

Through Caroline, the series explores various LGBT themes. A source of contention for Celia is her daughter entering into a same sex relationship and later coming out to her. Anne Reid spoke positively of the storyline, stating that she believes a lot of people of her own generation are homophobic. She felt that her own character "might show them [and] might change them" just as Celia must become more accepting to avoid losing Alan. Jacobi concurred: Alan has "a streak of tolerance in him ... that perhaps Celia doesn't".[9]

Casting

Jacobi, renowned for his theatre work, enjoyed the chance to explore a different character.

Discussing the casting of Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid, Wainwright stated: "we went for the best and we got them".[6] The Guardian felt that one of the series' successes was the unlikely casting of a "theatrical knight" (Jacobi) and a "TV Stalwart" (Reid).[10] Reid was Wainwright's personal choice for the role of Celia, describing the actress as "so down to earth and compelling to watch".[8] Reid had tired of playing older characters for whom their age was a defining characteristic, stating that she had been sent lots of scripts wherin "where the minute anyone's over 65, they turn into a doddering old idiot".[11] She hoped that Last Tango in Halifax would "give hope to older people",[12] opining that the relationship between Celia and Alan was free from ageism.[11] Reid identified herself with Celia's personality — believing herself to be quite reckless and outgoing [13]— though stated that unlike her character she has no desire to enter another relationship.[12] She enjoyed working with her friend Sarah Lancashire, who previously played her onscreen daughter in Rose and Maloney, suggesting that the two share similar looks.[11] Reid described filming the series as "one of the best times in my career" and stated that she was proud of the work put in.[3] Amelia Young plays a teenage Celia during a flashback sequence in episode six.[14]

Wainwright had not anticipated being able to secure an actor of Jacobi's calibre for the role of Alan, stating that she "never imagined getting someone like him in one of my dramas", believing him to be in "a different stratosphere".[8] Upon casting Jacobi, Wainright felt that in addition to looking similar to Alec Walker, Jacobi embodied his personality perfectly, particularly his sense of humour.[8] Jacobi enjoyed having the chance to play a character completely different from those he usually plays. He also felt the series provided a chance to depict a "love story between two older characters that isn't patronising or stereotyped in any way".[3] Wainwright felt that the two lead actors had a palpable chemistry that reflected her mother's second marriage.[6][8] Reid and Jacobi also influenced the creative process — after Reid discovered Jacobi could jive, they implored Wainright to include a dance scene in an episode.[6][13] Jacobi also inspired a scene in which two of Alan's friends (played by Roy Barraclough and Paul Copley)[15] vie to be his best man.[8] A teenage version of Alan is portrayed in flashback by Nico Mirallegro.[14]

Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker star as Caroline and Gillian, the respective daughters of Celia and Alan. Each saw similarities between herself and her character. Lancashire identified with Caroline's being "a working woman trying to keep everything under control", whilst Walker identified with Gillian's tendency to speak before thinking things through and her deep love for her father.[3]

Nina Sosanya plays Caroline's lover Kate, and Tony Gardner and Ronni Ancona appear as Caroline's husband, John, and John's lover, Judith, respectively. Gillian's brother-in-law, Robbie, is played by Dean Andrews. Josh Bolt plays Caroline's son Raff. Sacha Dhawan plays Paul Jatri, a youth with whom Gillian has been having a sexual relationship. Edward Ashley and Louis Greatorex play Caroline's teenage sons William and Lawrence, respectively.[14][15][16][17][18][19]

Filming

The first series was filmed in Yorkshire and in Altrincham between January and April 2012. Altrincham was used to represent scenes set in Harrogate, such as those set at Caroline's house.[20] The second series began filming in July 2013.[21] Filming also took place at Hoghton Tower, a fortified manor house in Lancashire, in August 2013. This resulted in the Tower's being closed to the public between 19 and 28 August.[22] In September the University of York supplied ten students from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television to work as extras on the series.[23]

Filming of the second series clashed with filming of the second series of the BBC One period drama The Paradise, which also starred Sarah Lancashire. This necessitated her having to leave her role in The Paradise halfway through the second series in order to reprise her role as Caroline in Last Tango in Halifax.[24]

Episode list

Series 1 (2012)

No. Title Directed by Written by Ratings (in millions)[25]
Sourced by BARB; figures show consolidated audience of first showing. 		Original airdate
1"Episode 1"Euros LynSally Wainwright7.03420 November 2012
Recently widowed Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) contacts Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi) — a former romantic interest whom she has not seen in 60 years — on the social networking site Facebook. Celia's daughter Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) is surprised by the revelation, though distracted by her own romantic problems involving her adulterous husband (Tony Gardner) and her own affair with a female colleague, Kate (Nina Sosanya). Alan and Celia meet in Skipton and immediately rekindle their friendship. Celia's car is later damaged in pursuit of a young man who stole Alan's vehicle. Caroline and Alan's daughter Gillian (Nicola Walker) clash on first encounter after rushing to collect their parents; both are shocked to discover that Alan and Celia plan to marry.
2"Episode 2"Euros LynSally Wainwright6.77927 November 2012
Caroline is worried her affair with Kate may become public knowledge as she considers taking back her adulterous husband John. Widowed Gillian, meanwhile, continues a reckless sexual relationship with Paul (Sacha Dhawan), a man half her age. Alan and Celia enjoy the new lease on life they have discovered and decide to buy a new sports car as an engagement present to each other. As the families come together to celebrate the Alan and Celia's engagement, Gillian's son Raff (Josh Bolt) is arrested for assaulting Paul, whilst Caroline's son William (Edward Ashley) reveals that John is still in contact with his lover Judith (Ronni Ancona).
3"Episode 3"Euros LynSally Wainwright7.5084 December 2012
A badly beaten Paul moves in with Gillian, whilst her son Raff moves in with his father's brother Robbie (Dean Andrews), who blames Gillian for her husband's death. Meanwhile, Caroline quarrels with John and is overheard by Alan and Celia. Caroline confesses to Kate that she finds it difficult to express her emotions honestly. Alan and Celia begin looking at wedding venues. A Church of England vicar discourages them from having a church wedding, as neither party has attended services in more than 30 years. Celia and Alan discuss politics and religion, and the liberal Alan is surprised by Celia's conservative views. They visit a stately home in Southowram (Southowram Hall[26]) as a possible wedding venue but become locked inside overnight.
4"Episode 4"Sam DonovanSally Wainwright7.33411 December 2012
Alan and Celia spend a night in Southowram Hall. Gillian and Caroline are unable to make contact with their parents, neither of whom has a mobile phone signal. Gillian's worry prompts Raff and Robbie to visit, and they become closer. Caroline spends the night at Gillian's whilst awaiting news of Alan and Celia, and the two women bond over their fears and their respective problems with children and partners. Paul works out that Alan and Celia may have been visiting Southowram Hall, and the police eventually find them. Caroline grows frustrated with John and admits to seeing an unnamed other.
5"Episode 5"Sam DonovanSally Wainwright7.49218 December 2012
Alan confides his darkest secret to Celia: that when Gillian's less-than-ideal husband Eddie attempted suicide, he did not die immediately, and she refrained from calling an ambulance; because he did not tell that to the police, Alan holds himself partly responsible for the man's death. Under the influence of alcohol, Gillian sleeps with the troubled John. Caroline meanwhile, prepares to go public about her lesbian relationship with Kate. Whilst William had suspected the relationship and is happy for her, Lawrence (Louis Greatorex), Caroline's younger son, is upset and confused. Caroline's birthday evening with Kate and her two sons is ruined by the arrival of an extremely drunk Judith, who ends up in accident and emergency. John discovers that Caroline is seeing Kate, and informs Celia.
6"Episode 6"Sam DonovanSally Wainwright7.48019 December 2012

Celia refuses to accept Caroline's relationship with Kate; her homophobic views shock Alan, who implores her to give Kate a chance. Celia agrees to meet Kate at a dinner party hosted by Caroline. However, Celia's bigotry and hostility towards Kate ruins the evening, leading Alan to call off the wedding and driving a wedge between Caroline and Kate. Caroline and Celia have a blazing row, trading insults and expletives. Celia realises that her behaviour had made her daughter unhappy and visits Kate, apologising for her own behaviour and imploring Kate to give Caroline another chance. Alan, meanwhile, suffers a heart attack. Celia realises that she may have lost everything and rushes to his bedside. They reconcile and decide the wedding will go ahead. The first series ends with a flashback to 60 years ago, showing the teenage Alan asking Celia on a date, just as the present-day Alan regains consciousness.

Between the end of the episode and the closing credits, a dedication to Alec Walker (1929–2009), who inspired the character of Alan Buttershaw, is shown.

Series 2 (2013)

No. Title Directed by Written by Ratings (in millions)[25]
Sourced by BARB; figures show consolidated audience of first showing. 		Original airdate
7"Episode 1"Euros LynSally Wainwright7.4219 November 2013[27]
Alan recuperates in hospital from a heart attack at the end of the previous series. Meanwhile, Gillian is contacted by John who claims to be falling in love with her. Unsettled, she confesses to Caroline that she had a one night stand with John. Alan and Celia decide to get married as quickly as possible with minimum fuss, and book an appointment at the register office. After finding out about Gillian's sexual encounter with John Alan tells her that both he and his late wife were ashamed of her morals, mentioning an abortion she had at age fifteen. At the end of the episode Gillian discovers Alan and Celia's appointment card for the register office on the morning of their wedding.
8"Episode 2"Euros LynSally Wainwright7.6026 November 2013[28]
Alan and Celia get married, persuading two passersby to act as witnesses. Gillian turns up at the register office and expresses her feelings of hurt and rejection at not being invited to the ceremony. She is convinced that Alan and Celia think less of her than Caroline's family because of their differing social class. Caroline seeks to secure funds to buy John out of their house. To achieve this she needs financial support from both Celia and Kate, and asks Kate to move in with her. Kate tells Caroline that, because she is nearing her 42nd birthday, she wants a baby of her own before it is too late. Gillian discovers that Raff's girlfriend Ellie is eight months pregnant. Alan and Celia arrive to provide support, and after Ellie goes into labour, Alan welcomes a great-granddaughter.
9"Episode 3"Euros LynSally Wainwright5.963 December 2013[29]
Maurice (Roy Barraclough) is hurt at Alan marrying on the quiet and not inviting his friends. Later, Celia relays to Robbie that Gillian had an abortion at the age of fifteen; he realizes it was his own child she aborted, causing fractures in their relationship. Meanwhile, Kate tells Caroline she has chosen her friend Greg as a sperm-donor, while Alan and Celia plan to buy a bungalow. With Robbie absent, and Raff and Ellie neglecting the baby, Gillian is left to look after her granddaughter. John arrives to support her and she tells him of her doubts of Robbie's suitability for her, given the fact she did not take the necessary action to prevent Eddie's death. Alan tells Celia that Gillian had actually killed Eddie with a block of wood following his apparent suicide attempt.
10"Episode 4"Jill RobertsonSally Wainwright7.1510 December 2013[30]
Alan muses on whether the coroner's verdict of suicide regarding Eddie was correct. On her birthday weekend hotel break, Kate is angered by Caroline having booked two single rooms due to her insecurities about her sexuality. Kate and Greg reminisce about their university days, excluding Caroline. Kate tells her the next morning that she believes Caroline is too old to change and that their relationship is over, having never properly started. Judith arrives at Gillian's and accuses John of plagiarism, as both of them have chosen to write a novel based on Celia and Alan's romance. John's infatuation and one night stand with Gillian is revealed in front of Robbie, causing him to punch John and walk out again. At Caroline's, Celia and Alan deal with a drunken Lawrence and a shaken William, who has been assaulted at a cashpoint. Alan is devastated by the news of Maurice's sudden death. At the wake, he and Celia decide to marry a second time so that this time they can share the day with family and friends.
11"Episode 5"Jill RobertsonSally Wainwright7.0617 December 2013[31]
Three months after the previous episode, William leaves for university and Lawrence tells his mother he wants to live with his dad, now co-habituating with a pregnant Judith. Gillian is jealous of Robbie's new partner, Cheryl. Kate reveals she is twelve weeks pregnant; though Caroline is restrained in her presence, she is later overcome with emotion. As a distraction from their personal lives, Gillian and Caroline become wedding planners for Alan and Celia's second wedding. Alan and Celia visit Celia's estranged sister Muriel, who Celia fell out with over their shared feelings for Muriel's husband. After a day out together researching the wedding, a drunken Gillian tells Caroline she deliberately killed her husband and staged his suicide, as she could take no more of his abuse.
12"Episode 6"Jill RobertsonSally Wainwright7.3924 December 2013[32]
Caroline promises Gillian she will keep her secret. She implores Kate to give her another chance and let her learn from her mistakes, but the latter refuses. When Kate is rushed to hospital, Caroline drops everything to check that she and the baby are safe and well. Alan visits his first wife's grave, and talks about Celia, seeking her blessing. In the days before the wedding, Alan's brother Ted makes a surprise appearance from New Zealand. At Alan's stag party, Alan and Raff encourage Robbie to pursue Gillian, as they believe him to be right for her. Meanwhile, Celia puts her differences with Muriel behind her and tells her of her own unhappy first marriage. The wedding takes place on Christmas Eve with Kate playing piano upon Celia's request, and Caroline taking on the traditional duties of the bride's father. At the wedding dance, Robbie flirts with Gillian, whilst Kate returns to the party and asks Caroline to dance. Caroline accepts, and the two women commit to each other before kissing passionately on the dance floor. The episode ends with Kate and Caroline and Alan and Celia happy together, whilst John sits miserably in Judith's squalid flat and Gillian curses herself after waking up with Robbie.

Broadcast and reception

Consolidated viewing figures

The series premièred to overnight ratings of 6.160 million viewers, 25.6% of the available audience, as the highest rated show at 9 pm on 20 November.[33] The series finale, airing 19 December 2012, also won its time-slot, achieving an overnight series high of 6.290 million viewers, 26.6% of the available audience.[34] Consolidated figures released by the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (BARB) revealed that the series première achieved a consolidated rating of 7.034 million viewers,[25] whilst the finale had 7.480 million.[25] The overall series average in terms of viewing figures was 7.210 million viewers.[nb 1] The Independent reported that the early consolidated ratings received by the programme made it the highest rated new mid-week television drama of 2012.[35] In September 2013, the series began airing on the American broadcast television network PBS.[36]

Critical reception

The series has attracted mostly positive reviews, largely focused on the depiction of its two septuagenarian lead characters. Jane Shilling of The Daily Telegraph labelled the series "a triumph against TV's ageism" in an examination of the portrayal of elderly people in the media.[37] Shilling singled out Jacobi and Reid's performances, stating that they provide a "mixture of gravity and levity" that "brings a transcendent quality to their characters' resolute ordinariness". Lucy Harmer, an executive member of the charity Age UK, also praised the series for portraying two "normal, healthy and sane" older characters, citing the depiction of Internet use by the elderly as something ordinary. She compared the treatment of older characters in the series to Hilary Boyd's novel Thursdays in the Park and the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly & Beautiful (2012).[38] The Huffington Post's Caroline Frost thought the series was reminiscent of the dialogue and sensibility of the playwright Alan Bennett. She wrote the story was poignant and praised a central theme underlining "how many people make do with their day-to-day business and responsibilities, while still holding on to their private dreams",[39] Andrew Anthony of The Guardian had his "low expectations ... squarely confounded", giving particular praise to the dialogue and the central performances.[10] Jane Simon of the Daily Mirror felt that Last Tango in Halifax experienced a mid-series dip, though she praised what she felt was a triumphant finale. She also praised Wainwright's script and the lead quartet of Jacobi, Reid, Lancashire, and Walker for creating "characters you can believe in even when they're behaving appallingly".[40] The series was reviewed favourably by the American website AfterEllen, which reports on the depiction of gay and bisexual women in the media. Correspondent Jill Guccini stated that she "started off watching this series thinking it was a cute little show about some oldies falling in love", but at the end of the series believed it was "some of the finest television I've seen, anywhere, ever".[41]

Critical reception in the United States was also largely positive following PBS' acquisition of the show. Mary McNamara of the Los Angeles Times labelled the series as "the best new show of the fall" describing it as "a rapturous mix of absurdly fairy-tale-romance and frantic modern complications, set in the picturesque drear of Yorkshire and brought to life by masterfully shaded performances." She opined that Reid and Jacobi "are capable of doing more with a startled look or careful smile ... than most actors can do in seven pages of dialogue".[42] Matthew Gilbert of The Boston Globe acknowledged that the public might not find the series appealing based on its title and premise alone, stating that PBS' description of the programme made it sound "as saccharine and hackneyed as a Geritol commercial". Upon viewing the series however, he praised the added dimensions of the series and wrote that it was "so much more interesting" than the central premise suggested. He also felt that Walker and Lancashire played an important part; "both add[ing] a necessary amount of bitter to the sweet".[43] Mike Hale of The New York Times was more cynical about the series, describing it as a "warm comforter of a series" and "treacle". However he felt that series also distinguished itself from this category of media by its "relatively dry style and careful modulation of tone and volume" in addition to "a crackerjack cast".[44]

Accolades

The first series of Last Tango in Halifax was nominated for four awards at the 2013 British Academy Television Awards, which took place on 12 May 2013. Actors Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid, and Sarah Lancashire earned respective nominations in the Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress categories. The series itself was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series, and ultimately won.[45] Additionally, Wainwright was named best Drama Writer at the 2013 British Academy Television Craft Awards for her writing of the series.[46] The series was nominated for Best Drama Series at the 2013 Broadcasting Press Guild Awards whilst Sally Wainwright was nominated for the writer's award for her contribution to both Last Tango in Halifax and Scott & Bailey.[47] In 2014, Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker were both nominated for a British Academy Television Award in the category for "Best Supporting Actress" for their roles in Last Tango in Halifax. Lancashire won the award for her role as Caroline.[citation needed]

Possible adaptations

In October 2013, it was reported in news outlets that American actress, screenwriter, and producer Diane Keaton had acquired the rights to remake Last Tango in Halifax for American audiences on the subscription cable channel HBO.[48] Sally Wainwright mentioned this development at a Broadcasting Press Guild event and stated that though she did not expect to be closely involved in the remake, she would have an associate producer role.[48] However, the following day Red Production Company released a statement stating that a remake would likely be delayed since the original series was still airing on American channel PBS.[49] In April 2014, it was reported that the series would be remade for French television by BBC Worldwide France and the production company NEWEN.[50]

Notes

  1. ^ Calculated by combining the individual viewing figures for each episode, sourced from the Broadcasters' Audience Research Board (7.034 million, 6.779 million, 7.508 million, 7.334 million, 7.492 million, 7.480 million)[25] and dividing by six.

References

  1. ^ "BBC One commissions third series of Last Tango In Halifax". BBC Media Centre. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d "Last Tango In Halifax- Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid lead cast in a new drama series for BBC One". BBC Press Office. BBC Online. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Cast interviews". BBC Press Office. BBC Online. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  4. ^ "Gillian". BBC. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  5. ^ "Caroline". BBC. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Interview with writer, Sally Wainwright". BBC Press Office. BBC Online. 13 August 2012. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  7. ^ a b Williamson, Charlotte (22 December 2013). "My mother's late-life love is charming the nation". The Telegraph. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Wainwright, Sally (9 November 2012). "Can you fall in love at 75? Screenwriter Sally Wainwright on how her mother's sweet late-life romance inspired her new drama". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  9. ^ Halterman, J. (9 September 2013). ""Last Tango in Halifax" stars talk about its lesbian component". AfterEllen. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  10. ^ a b Anthony, Andrew (25 November 2012). "Rewind TV: Last Tango in Halifax; Homeland; The Aristocrats: Blenheim Palace; Gadget Man; Supersized Earth – review". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  11. ^ a b c Brent, Katy (20 November 2012). "Two to tango". The Sun. News International. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  12. ^ a b Duncan, Andrew (20 November 2012). "Anne Reid: "I hope Last Tango in Halifax gives hope to older people"". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  13. ^ a b Fiaca, Nick (13 November 2012). "Anne Reid". What's on TV. IPC Media. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  14. ^ a b c "Last Tango in Halifax — episode six". BBC Online. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  15. ^ a b "Last Tango in Halifax — episode five". BBC Online. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  16. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax — episode one". BBC Online. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  17. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax — episode two". BBC Online. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  18. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax — episode three". BBC Online. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  19. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax — episode four". BBC Online. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  20. ^ Lancashire, Sarah (2 December 2012). "Last Tango in Halifax? Let's try Venice next time, says BBC star Sarah Lancashire". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  21. ^ "Filming starts on Last Tango in Halifax 2". What's on TV. IPC Media. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  22. ^ "Last Tango at the Tower this Autumn". Lancashire Evening Post. Johnston Press. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  23. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax". The University of York. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  24. ^ Hastings, Chris (29 September 2013). "It's trouble in Paradise after star Sarah Lancashire quits in the middle of series, blaming clash with other BBC show". Daily Mail. DMG Media. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  25. ^ a b c d e "Viewing Data — Top Tens". BARB. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  26. ^ "Last Tango In Halifax (UK) » Season 1 » 01x03 » Episode 3 » Trivia". Sharetv.
  27. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax: Episode 1". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  28. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax: Episode 2". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  29. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax: Episode 3". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  30. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax: Episode 4". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  31. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax: Episode 5". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  32. ^ "Last Tango in Halifax: Episode 6". BBC Media Centre. Retrieved 4 December 2013.
  33. ^ Millar, Paul (21 November 2012). "Cheryl Cole's ITV2 show attracts more than 800,000 viewers". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  34. ^ Millar, Paul (20 December 2012). "'Last Tango in Halifax' ends on high note for BBC One". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  35. ^ Wyatt, Daisy (11 December 2012). "BBC One drama Last Tango in Halifax re-commissioned for second series". The Independent. Independent Print Limited. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  36. ^ "PBS Premieres New 6-Part Drama Last Tango In Halifax Tonight". BroadwayWorld.com. 8 September 2013. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  37. ^ Shilling, Jane (11 December 2012). "Last Tango in Halifax: a triumph against TV's ageism". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  38. ^ Bennett, Laura (28 November 2012). "Last Tango in Halifax: an Age UK executive's view". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  39. ^ Frost, Caroline (21 November 2012). "TV Review: Last Tango In Halifax — A Love That Blooms Late And Twice As Sweet". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  40. ^ Simon, Jane (19 December 2012). "Wednesday's must-see TV: Family in a spin in Last Tango In Halifax plus The Town and Snow Babies". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  41. ^ Guccini, Gill (26 March 2013). ""Last Tango in Halifax" recap: Infected with Lesbian Spores (Ep. 6)". AfterEllen. Archived from the original on 28 June 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2013.
  42. ^ NcNamara, Mary (7 September 2013). "Review: 'Last Tango in Halifax' on PBS is the fall's best new show". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  43. ^ Gilbert, Matthew (5 September 2013). "The dimensions of 'Last Tango in Halifax'". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  44. ^ Hale, Mike (6 September 2013). "After 60 Years, Weak-Kneed and Starry-Eyed". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  45. ^ Plunkett, John; Halliday, Josh (12 May 2013). "Last Tango dances off with Bafta prize for 'love story about people over 35'". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  46. ^ Plunkett, John (29 April 2013). "Bafta TV craft awards: BBC London Olympics coverage takes two". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  47. ^ Torin, Douglas (7 February 2013). "Parade's End leads TV nominations for 39th Broadcasting Press Guild Awards". Broadcasting Press Guild. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  48. ^ a b Brown, Maggie (28 October 2013). "Diane Keaton plans US remake of BBC's Last Tango in Halifax". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  49. ^ Dowell, Ben (29 October 2013). "Diane Keaton's Last Tango in Halifax US remake delayed". Radio Times. Immediate Media Company. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  50. ^ Jeffrey, Morgan (9 April 2014). "Last Tango in Halifax to get remake on French television". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
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