This Life at 30: Producer Jane Fallon remembers beloved drama and reveals why she doubts it would happen today

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Something special was happening with TV dramas in early 1996. Just two weeks after celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Our Friends in the North,” we’re now marking the same milestone for another equally iconic show. “This Life,” a gritty, low-budget series about young law school graduates living together in London, quickly became a cultural phenomenon and still defines the mid-90s for many.

Producer Jane Fallon was part of a young team brought together by renowned TV producer Tony Garnett to film a script by Amy Jenkins. Fallon recalls their goal: to create something fresh and original. They aimed for a realistic, unstereotypical style, and wanted the show to feel a bit unconventional. Luckily, the BBC gave them a lot of creative freedom because the budget was limited.

Finding the right actors for the lead roles was crucial. Producers wanted fresh, unknown talent – someone who hadn’t already been widely seen in shows like ‘The Bill,’ according to Fallon. Jason Hughes and Daniela Nardini were the first ones chosen, to play Warren and Anna.

It took a while to find the perfect cast! The team really went the extra mile, auditioning tons of actors before they finally decided on Jack Davenport as Miles, Amita Dhiri as Milly, and Andrew Lincoln as Egg. Once they had the five of us, they made sure we all bonded. They took us bowling and out to the pub – it was a great way to get to know each other. By the time we started filming, we genuinely felt like a group of friends, which I think really showed on screen.

The filming happened in a house on Southwark Bridge Road in London, near the River Thames. Helena Fallon remembers the set being incredibly busy, with all sorts of people – from accountants to construction workers – working in the limited space. She says it was noisy, they worked long 12-hour days, and it was stressful, but there was also a strong sense of everyone working together on something special.

Ricky Gervais, a relatively unknown name at the time and a collaborator with Fallon, helped with the show’s music. He curated playlists to match the characters and also commissioned and produced the catchy theme song by The Way Out.

Many viewers recall the realistic camerawork in This Life, alongside its compelling characters, sexual content, and strong language. Interestingly, this innovative style wasn’t a creative choice at first, but a necessity. As Fallon explains, the production team couldn’t afford multiple cameras, so they decided to use a single camera and simply focus on whoever was speaking. Ironically, having a limited budget actually led to this distinctive and memorable technique.

The show’s success wasn’t certain at first – early reviews were critical, and it wasn’t clear if it would get a second season. But positive buzz spread, and it unexpectedly became popular. By the end of the second series in 1997, around four million people were watching, eager to find out if Miles and Anna would get together, and whether Milly would choose a casual relationship with her boss or a more stable life with Egg.

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Since ‘This Life’ aired 30 years ago, many other shows with large casts have appeared – ‘This Life’ even had a reunion episode in 2007. However, Fallon believes a show like it wouldn’t be made today. She describes television at the time as a more daring and experimental environment for those making decisions about what to produce.

Now a bestselling author with fourteen books under her belt, she reflects on what she learned from her time on ‘This Life.’ Her advice is simple: create what you’re passionate about, whether it’s a book or a TV show. Don’t let others discourage you with unnecessary criticism – it stifles creativity. Stay focused on your vision.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-03-16 20:51