“Better Than Unforgotten”: Nicola Walker’s “Beyond Brilliant” BBC Drama Is Winning Viewers Over All Over Again
Romance, family secrets, devastating twists and brilliantly observed humour – more than a decade after its debut, this BBC drama is still striking a chord with viewers. And fans of Nicola Walker believe it deserves to stand alongside some of her finest work.
If you know Nicola Walker from Unforgotten or Annika, there’s another BBC series you may have overlooked. Last Tango in Halifax is a very different kind of drama, but its combination of emotional storytelling, complicated relationships and outstanding performances has helped it remain a favourite long after its original run.
First arriving more than a decade ago, the series brings together an exceptional cast, including Nicola Walker, Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid and Sarah Lancashire. What starts as an unlikely romance between two older widowers soon develops into a much bigger story about family, love, betrayal and the possibility of starting again.
And with all five series available on BBC iPlayer, there’s never been a better opportunity to discover what makes this drama so special.
A Facebook Reunion Leads To An Unexpected Love Story
At the centre of Last Tango in Halifax are Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid), two people in their 70s who have both lost their spouses but unexpectedly find themselves given another chance at love.
Their reunion happens through a surprisingly modern twist: their grandsons reconnect them on Facebook.
The premise might sound like a charming romantic comedy, but the story has a particularly personal foundation. Writer Sally Wainwright, also known for Happy Valley, Riot Women and Gentleman Jack, drew inspiration from an experience within her own family.
Her mother reconnected with a former schoolfriend through Friends Reunited when she was in her 70s. The two had not seen each other since they were 16, yet their reunion eventually led to marriage.
That real-life story provides the emotional foundation for Alan and Celia’s relationship. But Wainwright takes the premise much further, exploring what happens when a new romance disrupts the lives of everyone around it.
As the couple grow closer, their families must confront difficult feelings, old wounds and changes they never anticipated.
Nicola Walker And Sarah Lancashire Steal The Spotlight
While Alan and Celia’s romance drives the story, much of the drama comes from their daughters, Gillian and Caroline, played by Nicola Walker and Sarah Lancashire.
The two women have strikingly different personalities and circumstances.
Gillian is an unpredictable, somewhat chaotic character who runs the family farm alongside her teenage son, Raff. Caroline, on the other hand, is a successful school headmistress whose seemingly stable life begins to unravel after her academic husband, John, has an affair.
Their contrasting lives provide plenty of opportunities for sharp humour, family friction and deeply emotional confrontations.
Across its five series, Last Tango in Halifax tackles a remarkably wide range of subjects, including:
- Death and grief: The lasting impact of losing loved ones.
- Marriage and divorce: Relationships tested by betrayal and changing circumstances.
- Illness and family struggles: The difficult realities that can reshape family life.
- Secrets and revelations: Unexpected truths that threaten to change everything.
Despite the many twists and complications, Alan and Celia’s relationship remains the emotional thread holding the story together.
Anne Reid once spoke to the BBC about the effect Alan has on Celia, describing how meeting him transforms her character.
“She is reborn. She becomes the woman she should have been all her life,” Reid explained.
She also highlighted how Celia begins to flourish when she finally realises that Alan loves her just as deeply as she loves him.
For Nicola Walker, meanwhile, one of the series’ greatest strengths is Sally Wainwright’s ability to keep audiences guessing.
The actress has spoken about how the writing continually takes viewers in unexpected directions, gradually exposing different layers of the characters. It is a combination of comedy, pain, chaos and recognisable human experiences that makes the drama feel so convincing.
An Outstanding Cast Makes Every Family Conflict Count
Another major reason the BBC series continues to resonate is the strength of its ensemble cast.
Rather than relying on a single central performance, Last Tango in Halifax gives its characters room to develop, allowing even the most complicated relationships to feel believable.
The principal cast includes:
- Nicola Walker as Gillian.
- Sarah Lancashire as Caroline.
- Anne Reid as Celia.
- Derek Jacobi as Alan.
- Tony Gardner as John.
- Dean Andrews as Robbie.
- Nina Sosanya as Kate.
- Ronni Ancona as Judith Tyzack.
- Louis Greatorex as Lawrence Elliot.
With such an accomplished lineup, the series finds the balance between heartfelt romance, uncomfortable family confrontations and moments of genuine comedy.
Watch The First-Season Trailer
Haven’t watched Last Tango in Halifax yet? The first-season trailer gives a taste of what awaits: an unexpected romance, complicated family dynamics and plenty of emotional twists.
Why Last Tango In Halifax Deserves A Place On Your Watchlist
The appeal of Last Tango in Halifax lies in how naturally it moves between laughter and heartbreak.
Its characters are far from perfect. They make mistakes, struggle with difficult decisions and find themselves caught in relationships that rarely go according to plan.
One moment can be genuinely funny; the next can deliver an unexpectedly emotional blow.
Nicola Walker is a particular highlight, making this an appealing watch for anyone who has followed her performances in Unforgotten and Annika.
But the series offers much more than a showcase for its leading cast. Sally Wainwright’s writing gives the story its distinctive personality, combining romance, family conflict and sharp observations about everyday life.
For viewers who enjoy character-driven television with complicated relationships and emotionally satisfying storytelling, this is a BBC drama well worth revisiting.
All Five Series Are Available On BBC iPlayer
There’s good news for anyone ready to get started: all five series of Last Tango in Halifax are available on BBC iPlayer.
That means viewers can follow Alan and Celia’s relationship from the beginning and experience the family drama as it unfolds across the complete series.
Two More Nicola Walker Dramas Worth Watching
If Last Tango in Halifax reminds you just how good Nicola Walker is, there are two more productions worth adding to your watchlist.
1. River
For something considerably darker, River is an excellent alternative.
Starring Stellan Skarsgård as Detective Inspector John River, the crime drama follows a troubled investigator haunted by the memory of his former colleague, Detective Sergeant Jackie “Stevie” Stevenson, played by Nicola Walker.
It offers a very different side of Walker’s work and is particularly appealing to fans of psychological crime dramas.
Where to watch: ITVX.
2. Heading Out
If you would rather watch something lighter, Heading Out provides a welcome change of pace.
Walker plays Justine, a loyal friend to Sara (Sue Perkins), who is struggling to tell her parents that she is gay.
Determined to help, Justine steps in to support Sara as she faces the difficult conversation.
It’s a lighter, more comedic showcase for Walker, offering another reason to explore her work beyond crime dramas.
Where to watch: Prime Video.