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NEW BBC drama Life has already got fans talking.

The Doctor Foster spin-off brings has delighted viewers with its impressive cast and great writing.

Fans are loving BBC's drama Life
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Fans are loving BBC's drama LifeCredit: BBC

Who's in the cast of new BBC drama Life?

Life is set in a fictional house that's been divided into four flats and follows those that reside there.

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.

The series has an incredible cast of high profile actors.

Here's who they are:

Alison Steadman as Gail

National treasure Alison Steadman plays Gail
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National treasure Alison Steadman plays GailCredit: bbc

These days Alison is best known for playing the hilarious Pam Shipman in Gavin & Stacey.

But the actress has also had many other prestiguious roles.

He credits include Edith in Hold the Sunset, Mrs Bennet in Pride & Prejudice, Barbara in Butterfly, Kendall Malone in Orphan Black, Rose in The Syndicate, Betty Simpson in Fat Friends, Mrs Barlow in The Singing Detective, and Pauline Mole in Adrian Mole The Cappuccino Years.

And of course she starred as Beverly in classic comedy Abigail's Party.

In Life she plays Gail who is about to celebrate her 70th birthday “when a chance encounter throws her whole life into question”.

Victoria Hamilton as Belle

Victoria Hamilton plays Belle in Life
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Victoria Hamilton plays Belle in LifeCredit: BBC

Victoria reprises her role as Anna in Doctor Foster, although in Life she has changed her name to Belle.

Over the years Victoria has starred in many big TV dramas.

She played the Queen Mother in the first two seasons of The Crown, Anna Marshall in Cobra, and Senator Meaghan Sullivan in Deep State.

Adrian Lester as David

Adrian Lester plays David in the drama
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Adrian Lester plays David in the dramaCredit: BBC

Adrian is also a well known face on the box.

He played Simon in The Day After Tomorrow, Mickey Stone in Hustle, and himself in an episode of David Tennant and Michael Sheen’s lockdown drama Staged.

In Life he plays David, a university academic who has a deep Christian faith.

He married childhood sweetheart Kelly when they were both young and is “conflicted by temptation” when he goes on holiday by himself and meets Saira.

Melissa Johns as Hannah

Former Corrie star Melissa Johns plays Hannah
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Former Corrie star Melissa Johns plays HannahCredit: BBC

Melissa shot to fame playing Imogen Pascoe in Coronation Street.

The actress also had roles In the Long Run, I Hate Suzie, and Flack.

In Life, Melissa plays a heavily-pregnant young woman.

The baby is the result of a passionate one-night stand with a man called Andy.

But since becoming pregnant Hannah has got a new boyfriend called Liam.

Peter Davison as Henry

Veteran actor Peter Davison plays Henry
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Veteran actor Peter Davison plays HenryCredit: BBC

Another famous face on the show has to be Peter.

In the early 80s he was famous for being the fifth Doctor Who.

He also played Tristan Farnon in the original BBC series of All Creatures Great And Small.

In 2018 he played William Priestley in Gentleman Jack, and James Burge in The Trial of Christine Keeler.

Peter also had roles in Liar, Toast Of London, The Last Detective, At Home With The Braithwaites, and A Very Peculiar Practice

In Life he plays Gail’s husband Henry, who has a tendency to belittle and patronise her.

Rachael Stirling as Kelly

Rachael Stirling seen here playing Kelly
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Rachael Stirling seen here playing KellyCredit: BBC

Rachael has seen her career soar over the last decade.

You may recognise her as Becky from Detectorists, Millie Harcourt from The Bletchley Circle and Mary Harborough from Wild Bill.

She is also famous for being the daughter of the late Diana Rigg.

In Life she plays David’s wife, Kelly.

Saira Choudhry plays Saira

Saira Choudhry plays the tempting Saira in the show
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Saira Choudhry plays the tempting Saira in the showCredit: BBC

Rising star Saira spent the first three years of her career playing Anita Roy in Hollyoaks.

Since then, she’s been in shows including Cold Feet, No Offence and Coronation Street.

In Life, her character, also called Saira, is described as “impulsive”.

She is on holiday with her friends when she meets David.

Calvin Demba as Andy

Former Hollyoaks star Calvin Demba plays Andy
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Former Hollyoaks star Calvin Demba plays AndyCredit: BBC

Calvin also shot to fame in Hollyoaks playing Scott Sabeke.

He left the teen soap in 2012 and has had roles on Youngers and Sherlock.

The actor even starred in Kingsman: The Golden Circle.

In Life, he plays the biological father of Hannah’s baby.

Elaine Paige as Helen

West End legend Elaine Paige plays Helen
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West End legend Elaine Paige plays HelenCredit: Getty - Contributor

Viewers may be shocked when they meet Helen in the series and realise they already know her, as she’s played by musical legend Elaine Paige.

The singer and actress has starred in any number of musical hits including Cats and The King And I.

She also hosts her own show on Radio 2 – Elaine Paige On Sunday.

David Troughton as Robert

David Troughton takes on the role of Robert
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David Troughton takes on the role of Robert

Veteran actor David has a small role in the series.

He plays Henry's best friend, and doctor, Robert.

The English actor is best known for his Shakespearean roles on the stage.

On TV, David played Dr Bob Buzzard in A Very Peculiar Practice and Ricky Hansen in New Tricks.

Erin Kellyman as Maya

Young actress Erin Kellyman plays Maya
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Young actress Erin Kellyman plays MayaCredit: BBC

Actress Erin is perhaps best known for playing Enfys Nest in Solo: A Star Wars Story and for starring as Éponine in the 2019 BBC version of Les Misérables.

In Life she plays 15-year-old Maya whose mother Ruth is mentally ill and can’t cope with her.

She is sent to live with her Aunt Belle who doesn’t want to look after her either.

Joshua James as Liam

Joshua James plays Liam who is prepared to take on another man's baby
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Joshua James plays Liam who is prepared to take on another man's babyCredit: BBC

Joshua James has already been on our screens in 2020 in I Hate Suzie, as Hal.

He starred as Tyler Brandon Mills in Absentia, Gordy in Black Mirror and Tobe Miller in McMafia.

Joshua also has film credits including Darkest Hour and Criminal.

Joshua plays Hannah's boyfriend Liam in Life, who is prepared to bring up her baby, from a one-night stand with Andy, as his own.

When is BBC's Life next on TV?

The next episode will air TONIGHT (October 27, 2020).

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You can catch it at 9pm on BBC One.

But if you can't wait until then, all six episodes are available NOW on the .

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