Nicola Walker and Sarah Lancashire’s ‘Brilliant’ BBC Drama Is Being Hailed as Better Than Unforgotten — And All Five Seasons Are Ready to Binge Tonight

If you thought Nicola Walker’s performances in Unforgotten and Annika were impossible to top, there’s another acclaimed British drama that deserves your attention.

Last Tango in Halifax, the beloved BBC series starring Walker alongside Sarah Lancashire, Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi, has been praised for its exceptional performances, emotional storytelling and wonderfully realistic characters.

Created by Sally Wainwright, the celebrated writer behind Happy Valley and Gentleman Jack, the series follows two people who unexpectedly rediscover love in their seventies.

But beneath its heartwarming premise lies a much richer story about complicated families, difficult relationships and the unpredictable nature of life.

And with all five seasons available on BBC iPlayer, the entire drama is ready to watch from beginning to end.

A Love Story That Begins More Than 50 Years Later

At the centre of Last Tango in Halifax are Alan Buttershaw, played by Derek Jacobi, and Celia Dawson, portrayed by Anne Reid.

Both are in their seventies and have lost their previous partners.

They knew each other as teenagers but went their separate ways, never imagining that their paths would cross again decades later.

Then an unexpected development changes everything.

Their grandsons introduce them to Facebook, allowing the former acquaintances to reconnect after years apart.

What begins as a reunion gradually develops into a deeply meaningful romance.

However, their renewed relationship has consequences for the families they have built during their years apart.

As Alan and Celia grow closer, their adult daughters must navigate the challenges of bringing two very different households together.

The result is a drama that moves effortlessly between romance, comedy and heartbreaking family conflict.

Nicola Walker and Sarah Lancashire Are Extraordinary Together

While Alan and Celia’s relationship provides the emotional foundation, much of the series’ drama comes from their daughters.

Nicola Walker plays Gillian, Alan’s daughter, who runs the family farm with her teenage son, Raff.

Gillian’s life is often chaotic, and she struggles with complicated personal relationships and the responsibilities of keeping the farm running.

Sarah Lancashire portrays Caroline, Celia’s daughter, a successful headteacher whose apparently comfortable life is falling apart.

Caroline is dealing with the consequences of her husband John’s affair while confronting significant changes in her personal life.

The two women could hardly be more different.

Yet their contrasting personalities create some of the show’s funniest, most uncomfortable and most moving moments.

Walker brings emotional vulnerability and sharp humour to Gillian, while Lancashire delivers a layered performance as the outwardly composed but deeply troubled Caroline.

Together, they give the series a powerful emotional dimension that extends far beyond its central romance.

The Extraordinary Real-Life Story Behind the BBC Drama

One of the most remarkable aspects of Last Tango in Halifax is that its central love story was inspired by events in Sally Wainwright’s own family.

The writer’s mother reconnected with a former schoolfriend through Friends Reunited when both were in their seventies.

They had not seen each other since they were approximately 16 years old.

Despite spending decades apart, the pair rediscovered their connection and eventually married.

That real-life reunion provided the inspiration for Alan and Celia’s relationship.

Wainwright then developed the premise into a broader exploration of family life, combining the joy of finding love later in life with the complications that arise when two established families come together.

The result is a story that feels both extraordinary and surprisingly relatable.

Five Seasons of Love, Heartbreak and Unexpected Twists

Across its five seasons, Last Tango in Halifax explores far more than the romance between its two central characters.

The families confront divorce, illness, bereavement, changing relationships and difficult personal decisions.

Yet even during its most emotional moments, the series maintains a distinctive sense of humour.

That balance is one of the reasons the drama has remained so memorable.

Speaking to the BBC about Celia’s relationship with Alan, Anne Reid explained that finding love again transforms her character.

“She is reborn. She becomes the woman she should have been all her life,” the actress said.

Walker also praised Wainwright’s ability to take characters in unexpected directions.

“Sally Wainwright takes you on a fantastic journey with these people,” she explained.

The actress added that the writer continually reveals new layers of the characters’ lives, creating stories that are funny, painful and emotionally truthful.

That unpredictability is central to the show’s appeal.

Just when viewers believe they understand a character or know where a storyline is heading, Wainwright introduces another development that changes everything.

An Outstanding Cast of British Television Talent

Alongside Walker, Lancashire, Reid and Jacobi, Last Tango in Halifax features an impressive supporting cast.

Tony Gardner plays John, Caroline’s husband, whose infidelity contributes to the breakdown of their marriage.

Dean Andrews appears as Robbie, while Nina Sosanya portrays Kate.

The ensemble also includes Ronni Ancona as Judith Tyzack and Louis Greatorex as Lawrence Elliot.

Many of the performers are familiar faces from other acclaimed British dramas.

Walker has appeared in Unforgotten, Annika and Line of Duty, while Lancashire is particularly celebrated for her leading role in Happy Valley.

Their performances in Last Tango in Halifax demonstrate their ability to bring warmth, humour and complexity to characters facing recognisable everyday struggles.

Why Last Tango in Halifax Is Still Worth Watching

More than a decade after its original premiere in 2012, Last Tango in Halifax remains an outstanding example of character-driven British television.

Unlike conventional romantic dramas, it does not present love as a simple solution to life’s problems.

Instead, the series explores how relationships evolve, how families adapt to unexpected changes and how people continue searching for happiness at every stage of life.

Its combination of believable characters, sharp dialogue and emotional storytelling makes it particularly rewarding to revisit.

The central romance is uplifting, but the complicated lives of Gillian and Caroline provide much of the show’s dramatic depth.

For viewers who enjoyed Happy Valley, the series also offers another opportunity to experience Sally Wainwright’s distinctive writing style, although with a warmer and more comedic tone.

Where Can You Watch Last Tango in Halifax?

All five seasons of Last Tango in Halifax are available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the UK.

The complete series makes an ideal choice for anyone searching for a heartfelt British drama with memorable performances and a story that develops across multiple seasons.

Whether you’re discovering it for the first time or returning for another watch, the characters and their complicated relationships offer plenty to enjoy.

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