Series synopsis
Life Begins is a British drama comedy television series that premiered on ITV1 on February 16, 2004. It ended on October 9, 2006. It was created by Mike Bullen. It stars Frank Finlay, Caroline Quentin, Danny Webb and Alexander Armstrong.
Life Begins is a British television drama first broadcast on ITV between February 2004 and October 2006, starring Caroline Quentin and Alexander Armstrong, Anne Reid and Frank Finlay.
Premise
Life Begins is a British television drama first broadcast on ITV between February 2004 and October 2006, starring Caroline Quentin and Alexander Armstrong, Anne Reid and Frank Finlay.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Frank Finlay as Eric Thornhill
- Caroline Quentin as Maggie Mee
- Danny Webb as Paul
- Alexander Armstrong as Phil Mee
- Anne Reid as Brenda Thornhill
- Michelle Holmes as Genevieve
- Stuart McQuarrie as Guy
- Claire Skinner as Clare
Supporting cast
- Finlay Robertson as Kevin
- Chloe Howman as Helen
- Elliot Henderson-Boyle as James Mee
- Ace Ryan as Becca Mee
- Ellie Haddington as Kathleen
- Alan Williams as George
Guest cast
- Rebekah Staton as Donna
- Sam Kelly as Mediator
- Tony Slattery as Linus
- Roger Barclay as Bob
- Paul Ready as Mark
- Dominic Coleman as Paramedic #1
- Terence Bayler as Jack Russell
- Stephen Boxer as Doug
- Sara Stewart as Yvonne
- Simona Roman as Natalie (as Simona Brhlikova)
- Arkie Reece as Party Animal #1
- Bennet Thorpe as Paramedic #2
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 20 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 6 | February 16, 2004 | March 22, 2004 |
| Season 2 | 8 | February 16, 2005 | April 6, 2005 |
| Season 3 | 6 | September 4, 2006 | October 9, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Maggie & Phil During a holiday with friends Clare and Guy, Phil Mee tells his wife Maggie that he's leaving her. And when he moves out and gets his own flat, finances force her to look for a job. |
February 16, 2004 |
| 2 |
Maggie, Brenda & Eric Maggie starts work at the travel agency, but finds she's no good at her job and then explodes when Phil comes in to book a romantic weekend break with Anna. Boss Jeff is prepared to let her go – but colleagues Karen and Helen launch a protest. Meanwhile, Maggie learns about her father’s serious health problems. |
February 23, 2004 |
| 3 |
Maggie, Kathleen & Sam Maggie and Phil see a mediator (Sam Kelly) to divide up the assets but Maggie discovers Phil is being less than honest about his earnings and she threatens to bring in the Child Support Agency. Later, she goes out with her colleagues – who now regard her as Mother Hen – and she wakes up with a sexy young man. |
March 1, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Things Are Changing Maggie's branch of the travel agency takes over another branch – so abrasive Genevieve and disgruntled Kevin join the staff, and Jeff has to decide who'll be his deputy. Cuts are being made in Phil's office by his ex-girlfriend Anna, Guy takes a risk by expanding his business, and Maggie goes to school with her dad who is giving a talk about his wartime experiences. |
February 16, 2005 |
| 2 |
From the Past Jeff's new deputy Maggie clashes again with Genevieve at work; old flame Frank (Roy Dotrice) re-enters her mother Brenda's life; Phil leans on Maggie for support as his redundancy looms; and Maggie disapproves of daughter Becca's boyfriend, and when the neighbours are away, Samantha has a party that gets out of hand. |
February 23, 2005 |
| 3 |
Time Goes By Guy gets the wrong end of the stick when he sees Maggie comforting Phil, Maggie learns the reasons behind Genevieve's poor timekeeping at the travel agency (and it's a very touching moment), and Maggie and Paul's plans to spend some intimate time together go awry yet again. |
March 2, 2005 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Episode 1 Maggie moves into a new house with Phil and the kids and endeavouring to make a fresh start. But not everything is back to normal - Maggie still doesn't feel ready to have sex with Phil yet. Encouraged by the girls in the travel agency, Maggie tries to re-ignite the flame, but their attempts keep getting thwarted - if it's not Brian interrupting them, it's the kids or the curtains setting on fire! Finally, it's an uncomfortable encounter with the next door neighbours that gets them laughing together again. With the barriers down, Maggie feels at ease and they rekindle their passion for one another. Things finally seem to be looking up for Maggie and Phil. |
September 4, 2006 |
| 2 |
Episode 2 Maggie decides to leave her job as Phil is working so often and she wants to spend time with the children. A startling discovery makes her consider her options and elsewhere Brian has to sleep in the garage. |
September 11, 2006 |
| 3 |
Episode 3 Maggie won't go on a day out as she has her suspicions that Phil is not being entirely faithful. Phil turns her around but further evidence leads her to believe she was right. |
September 18, 2006 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | ITV1 |
|---|---|
| First aired | February 16, 2004 |
| Last aired | October 9, 2006 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | Ended |
| Schedule | Wednesday at 21:00:00 |