Afterlife is a British supernatural mystery drama created by Stephen Volk, broadcast on ITV across two series from 24 September 2005 to 11 November 2006.[1] Set in Bristol, the series follows Robert Bridge (Andrew Lincoln), a university lecturer whose committed scepticism toward the paranormal is challenged by his growing involvement with Alison Mundy (Lesley Sharp), a woman with a genuine and unwanted ability to see and communicate with the dead.[2]
Premise
The two leads represent opposing positions familiar to The Vault's own subject matter directly within the drama: Bridge investigates Mundy's claims from a position of academic scepticism, while Mundy experiences her ability as an involuntary, often distressing burden rather than a gift she has sought or profits from.[2] The first series builds toward a train crash whose survivors seek Mundy out to contact lost loved ones; the second series establishes that her ability manifested in childhood, beginning with the appearance of her late grandfather.[2]
Production
The series was produced by Clerkenwell Films for ITV, running to 14 episodes across its two series.[1] To prepare for playing a character built around scepticism toward paranormal claims, Andrew Lincoln consulted parapsychologist Ciarán O'Keeffe about the everyday realities of paranormal investigation.[3] Lincoln won the Golden Nymph for Best Actor in a Drama at the 2007 Monte Carlo TV Festival for his performance in the second series.[1]
The role came during the period between Lincoln's earlier work on Teachers and This Life and his later, far larger international profile playing Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead.[4]
Reception
Contemporary reviews were positive: the Radio Times praised Sharp's "masterly, understated performance" as Mundy, while The Guardian called the series "abundantly watchable," and the New York Times likened Bridge to "a hero out of an Ian McEwan novel."[1]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Afterlife S2."Stephen Volk.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Afterlife (2005)."TV Tropes.
- ↑ "Dr Ciaran O'Keeffe: "I see what the killer sees"."Goldsmiths, University of London.5 March 2019.
- ↑ "Looking back at ITV's Afterlife."Den of Geek.2015.