Life cast: who stars in the Doctor Foster spin-off drama with Victoria Hamilton - and when it’s on BBC One

Those hoping for a third series of Mike Bartlett’s gripping drama Doctor Foster will be happy to hear that his new project Life has begun on BBC One.

It may not be a direct sequel to the second series of Doctor Foster, but Life is set in the same ‘universe’ as the previous hit, and even features a couple of the same characters.

Here's everything you need to know about it.

What is Life about?

Set in a house in Manchester – which has been divided into four flats – Life tells the interweaving stories of the occupants, and touches on themes of love, parenthood, loss and self-discovery.

Each of the narratives are sparked by a disruptive arrival.

Pilates teacher Belle (Doctor Foster’s Anna, now going under a different name) finds her wayward teenage niece brought back into her previously well-ordered life when her sister is hospitalised, while neighbour Gail bumps into an old friend who makes a startling observation about her marriage ahead of her 70th birthday.

Then there's David, whose seemingly strong marriage is tested when he goes on holiday without his wife and finds himself seriously tempted by the impulsive Saira.

Finally, Hannah recently got together with safe and stable Liam, but still feels a surprising connection with the father of her baby with whom she had a one-night stand and who has been away travelling for the duration of her pregnancy.

“This show is all about a group of remarkable characters with unexpected desires and hidden secrets, in search of something beyond their everyday lives,” said Bartlett, who has also worked on Doctor Who and wrote the 2018 drama series Press.

Who stars in it?

Victoria Hamilton reprises her role as Anna from Doctor Foster, who is now going by the name Belle and trying to rebuild her life.

But leaving the past behind could be difficult as Adam James is also set to return as her onscreen husband Neil, Susannah Fielding (This Time with Alan Partridge) plays Belle’s sister Ruth, and Erin Kellyman (Raised by Wolves) plays the wayward teenage niece.

Elsewhere, the cast includes Alison Steadman as Gail, Peter Davison as her husband and Adrian Lester and Rachael Stirling as married couple David and Kelly threatend by Saira Choudhry’s temptation.

It’s a hugely impressive cast – there are also roles for Melissa Johns, Kate Ashfield, Calvin Demba, David Troughton, Joshua Johns and West End legend Elaine Paige.

"It’s just wonderful to have this fantastic cast to tell those stories,” said Bartlett.

When can I watch it?

Life began airing on Tuesday 29 September at 9pm on BBC One. New episodes debut each Tuesday night for six weeks.

If you’ve missed it so far, each episode is available on demand through BBC iPlayer following broadcast too.