Series synopsis
A Life on Screen is a documentary reality television series that premiered on BBC Two on December 24, 2014. It stars Michael Palin, John Cleese, David Jason and Connie Booth.
Documentary series that celebrates the incredible careers of the best of British talent.
Premise
Documentary series that celebrates the incredible careers of the best of British talent.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Michael Palin as Self
- John Cleese as Self
- David Jason as Self
- Connie Booth as Self
- Armando Iannucci as Self
- Clem Vallance as Self
- Lenny Henry as Self
- Richard Curtis as Self
Supporting cast
- Kim Fuller as Self
- Michael Grade as Self
- Trevor McDonald as Self
- Stephen Fry as Self
- Michael Sheen as Self
- Hugh Laurie as Self
- Alan Davies as Self
- Julie Walters as Self
- Victoria Wood as Self
- Celia Imrie as Self
- Rupert Grint as Self
- Alan Bleasdale as Self
Guest cast
- Michael Palin as Self
- John Cleese as Self
- David Jason as Self
- Connie Booth as Self
- Armando Iannucci as Self
- Clem Vallance as Self
- Lenny Henry as Self
- Richard Curtis as Self
- Kim Fuller as Self
- Michael Grade as Self
- Trevor McDonald as Self
- Stephen Fry as Self
Episodes
This series spans 9 seasons with 9 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 1 | December 24, 2014 | December 24, 2014 |
| Season 2 | 1 | December 29, 2015 | December 29, 2015 |
| Season 3 | 1 | December 19, 2016 | December 19, 2016 |
| Season 4 | 1 | January 7, 2018 | January 7, 2018 |
| Season 2014 | 1 | December 24, 2014 | December 24, 2014 |
| Season 2015 | 1 | December 29, 2015 | December 29, 2015 |
| Season 2016 | 1 | December 19, 2016 | December 19, 2016 |
| Season 2018 | 1 | January 7, 2018 | January 7, 2018 |
| Season 2019 | 1 | December 23, 2019 | December 23, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Julie Walters Documentary telling the story behind the success of Julie Walters. Includes interviews with Victoria Wood, Celia Imrie, Rupert Grint, Alan Bleasdale, Willy Russell, Gary Lewis and Hugh Bonneville. |
December 24, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Stephen Fry In this documentary, Stephen Fry tells the story behind his success, after presenting the BAFTAs for more than ten years. With an outstanding career in film and television which began with a chance meeting with comedy partner Hugh Laurie at Cambridge, he went on to create the outrageous Melchett in Blackadder and has become a firm favourite on BBC2 with the quite interesting quiz QI. Featuring a supporting cast of friends, including interviews with Michael Sheen, Hugh Laurie and Alan Davies. |
December 29, 2015 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Sir Lenny Henry Sir Lenny Henry tells the story behind his success, after being honoured with a special award at 2016's BAFTAs. Celebrating Lenny's outstanding career in television, this one-off special delves into the archives to showcase some of his incredible work. Featuring an in-depth interview with the man himself, the special looks at everything from his big break aged 16 on New Faces through his instrumental roles in Tiswas and Comic Relief to the present day. Including interviews from people who helped shape Lenny's glittering career, such as Richard Curtis OBE, Kim Fuller, Lord Michael Grade, Sir Trevor McDonald and Chris Tarrant. |
December 19, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Michael Palin In this documentary, Michael Palin tells the story behind his success, after being honoured with a special award at the BAFTAs in 2013. With an outstanding career in television and film, this special delves into the archives to showcase some of Michael's incredible work, with an in-depth interview with the man himself. From his early days with writing partner Terry Jones to changing the face of British comedy with Monty Python, Michael Palin has gone from strength to strength. His career encompasses award-winning drama such as Alan Bleasdale GBH, the hugely successful feature film A Fish Called Wanda and critically acclaimed travelogues, which attracted unprecedented TV audiences. Including interviews from people who helped shape Michael's glittering career, such as John Cleese, David Jason, Connie Booth, Armando Iannucci and Clem Vallance (Producer of Travelogues). |
January 7, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Julie Walters Documentary telling the story behind the success of Julie Walters. Includes interviews with Victoria Wood, Celia Imrie, Rupert Grint, Alan Bleasdale, Willy Russell, Gary Lewis and Hugh Bonneville. |
December 24, 2014 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Stephen Fry In this documentary, Stephen Fry tells the story behind his success, after presenting the Baftas for more than ten years. Featuring interviews with Hugh Laurie and Alan Davies. |
December 29, 2015 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Lenny Henry The story behind Sir Lenny Henry's success. This film delves into the archives to showcase some of his incredible work and includes an in-depth interview with the man himself. |
December 19, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Michael Palin Michael Palin tells the story behind his success. Including interviews from John Cleese, David Jason, Connie Booth, Armando Iannucci and Clem Vallance. |
January 7, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hugh Grant Hugh Grant tells the story behind his success, after being honoured with the Best Actor award at the Baftas for his performance in Four Weddings and a Funeral. |
December 23, 2019 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | BBC Two |
|---|---|
| First aired | December 24, 2014 |
| Last aired | January 7, 2018 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Monday at 21:00:00 |