{"id":837962,"date":"2026-08-01T14:47:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T14:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/837962\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T14:47:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T14:47:11","slug":"near-perfect-bbc-drama-with-sarah-lancashire-and-nicola-walker-to-binge-watch-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/837962\/","title":{"rendered":"Near-perfect BBC drama with Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker to binge-watch this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you fancy watching a throwback drama that happens to have a near-perfect rating on Rotten Tomatoes, then Last Tango in Halifax may be just the thing. Starring Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker, the entire series is streaming<\/a> in the UK.<\/p>\n

Created and written by Sally Wainwright, the Yorkshire-set comedy-drama<\/a> centres on the widowed duo of Alan Buttershaw (Derek Jacobi) and Celia Dawson (Anne Reid) as they reconnect after decades apart.<\/p>\n

In addition to Lancashire and Walker, who portray Caroline McKenzie-Dawson and Gillian Greenwood respectively, the supporting cast for the series includes Tony Gardner, Dean Andrews and Nina Sosanya.<\/p>\n

\"sarah<\/p>\n

Matt Squire\/\/UKTV<\/p>\n

Related: Diane Morgan and Sue Johnston’s Ann Droid is officially a ratings hit for the BBC<\/a><\/p>\n

The comedy-drama originally aired on BBC One between 2012 and 2020, with 24 episodes being made across five seasons (the fourth season was made up of two festive specials). They are all currently available to stream via U<\/a>, which is a free service.<\/p>\n

The series was acclaimed by critics throughout its run, with Rotten Tomatoes<\/a> currently reporting an overall approval rating of 95%. The second and third seasons have perfect 100% scores, while the first and fifth seasons have 94% and 86% respectively.<\/p>\n

“Charming and sweet, Last Tango in Halifax is a moving comedy-drama that delights as it touches hearts of all ages, boasting marvellous performances by its leading actors,” reads the site’s critical consensus<\/a> for the first season.<\/p>\n

“If you want real emotional depth and nuanced backstory – the stuff of real drama, in other words – try two pensioner protagonists,” wrote The Independent<\/a> of the second season, while Stuff NZ<\/a> called the third season a “joy”.<\/p>\n

\"nicola<\/p>\n

Matt Squire\/\/UKTV<\/p>\n

Related: James Marsden spotted back on set for new season of “addictive” thriller Paradise<\/a><\/p>\n

Paste Magazine<\/a> called the two festive specials “wonderful”, while The Sydney Morning Herald<\/a> wrote of the final season: “It’s as embracingly warm and bracingly funny as it’s always been. It’s full of beautiful small touches.”<\/p>\n

Since the romantic comedy-drama concluded in 2020, Wainwright<\/a> reunited with Lancashire on the third season of Happy Valley, while she also created and wrote both Renegade Nell and Riot Women.<\/p>\n

Last Tango in Halifax is streaming on U.<\/p>\n

Visit our Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n

The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Lettermark\"<\/p>\n

Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies<\/a> and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. \u00a0His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible<\/a> and John Wick<\/a> to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
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