Alison Steadman lead a cast including former Doctor Who star Peter Davison, Adrian Lester, Victoria Hamilton and Rachael Stirling in new BBC drama Life.

The series has been written by Doctor Foster creator Mike Bartlett.

Life just begun filming in Manchester and follows the stories of the residents in a large house in Manchester divided into flats. As each of the four separate strands unfold, they tell a larger story about what happens when we decide to step out of our own personal space and take a closer look into other people’s lives.

Gail, played by Steadman, who is married to Henry, played by Davison, is about to celebrate her 70th birthday when a chance encounter throws her whole life into question.

David, played by Lester, is happily married to Kelly, played by Stirling, but is conflicted by temptation when he meets the impulsive Saira, played by Saira Choudhry, on holiday.

The cast also includes Elaine Paige and Susannah Fielding.

Steadman said, “Mike Bartlett is a brilliant writer and has created an extraordinary character in Gail. I’m delighted to be playing her in Life.”

Bartlett said, “This show is all about a group of remarkable characters with unexpected desires and hidden secrets, in search of something beyond their everyday lives. It’s just wonderful to have this fantastic cast to tell those stories.”