Last Tango in Halifax: TV review
Don't be fooled by the cardigans and tea, there's nowt twee about this drama
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.It wasn't so long ago that a pre-watershed lesbian kiss in the Channel 4 soap Brookside made headlines. Now, thankfully, not only is a woman's relationship with another woman considered mundane enough to feature in a cosy family drama, but Caroline'n'Kate isn't even the most radical thing about Last Tango in Halifax on BBC1.
Watching Alan (Derek Jacobi) and Celia (Anne Reid) reminisce about old times against the backdrop of the South Pennines was a gentle reminder of what audiences are missing as a consequence of TV's youth obsession.
What do the 22-year-olds on Made in Chelsea know of true love? Nowt, as Alan might say. If you want real emotional depth and nuanced backstory – the stuff of real drama, in other words – try two pensioner protagonists. In the last series, Alan and Celia's late-life romance made Last Tango in Halifax a surprise hit. In this series, Alan is recovering from a heart attack, which means the wedding is back on, even if they have to elope to make it happen.
There's a lot of grey cardigans, tutting and talk of putting "t'kettle" on, but while the drama is unapologetically domestic, it's also never less than compelling. The script is elevated above the likes Last of the Summer Wine by a surrounding family dynamic that's every bit as dark and bitter as the central romance is light and sweet. We have writer Sally Wainwright to thank for that mainly, but the character actors playing Alan and Celia's extended clan are also uniformly brilliant. If you know him as Professor Shales in Fresh Meat, you'll know how entertaining Tony Gardner is as a self-pitying slimeball and while she may always be Raquel from Corrie in our hearts, Sarah Lancashire once again demonstrates her versatility as Caroline.
When the casting was first announced, it seemed surprising that National Theatre stalwart and luvvie's luvvie Derek Jacobi would be lowering himself to appear in TV programme. By now, it's very clear he's among peers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments