Last Tango in Halifax

Celia and Alan are both widowed and in their seventies. When their respective grandsons put their details on Facebook, they rediscover a passionate relationship that started over sixty years ago.

Last Tango in Halifax (2012-2020) is a British comedy drama series created by Sally Wainwright for BBC One. Celia (Anne Reid) and Alan (Derek Jacobi), both widowed in their seventies, rediscover a passionate romance that began more than sixty years earlier after their grandsons put their details on Facebook. Their desire to reconnect runs straight into the objections of their grown children and grandchildren, who scheme, meddle and bristle as the two families are pulled together. Caroline (Sarah Lancashire) and Gillian (Nicola Walker) bring their own prickly histories into the picture, and the everyday friction of a blended family fuels much of the drama. The series unfolds across five seasons of six-episode blocks and a few shorter runs, following one continuing story rather than standalone cases. Set in contemporary northern England, around Halifax and the surrounding Yorkshire towns, it blends wry humour with tender, sometimes painful emotion about grief, memory and second chances. Its warm, character-driven tone and humane writing will appeal to fans of Happy Valley, The Durrells and Grace and Frankie, and to anyone who loves gentle romance with real emotional weight.

Acclaimed by audiences for its warm, witty writing and the lead performances of Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi, with its late-life romance treated as seriously as younger love stories.

• Grace and Frankiewarm British comedy-drama about older characters finding late love, gentle tone, family complications
• Happy Valleynorthern English ensemble drama, character-led emotional comedy, Sally Wainwright style
• The Durrellsgentle late-life romance, heartfelt dramedy, wry humor with real emotional stakes
• Downton Abbeymature romance with witty dialogue and blended family tensions

Created by

Sally Wainwright

Release Date

2012-11-20

Episode runtime

60 min

Rating

8.4 / 10 (58)

What is Last Tango in Halifax about?

Two widowed septuagenarians rekindle a romance from over sixty years ago after their grandchildren set them up online.

What is Last Tango in Halifax like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Last Tango in Halifax as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Last Tango in Halifax violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Last Tango in Halifax.

What did critics think of Last Tango in Halifax?

Acclaimed by audiences for its warm, witty writing and the lead performances of Anne Reid and Derek Jacobi, with its late-life romance treated as seriously as younger love stories.

Which shows are like Last Tango in Halifax?

Shows with a similar feel include Grace and Frankie, Happy Valley, The Durrells, and Downton Abbey.

How long is Last Tango in Halifax?

Last Tango in Halifax: 5 seasons, 24 episodes.

Is Last Tango in Halifax still running?

No, Last Tango in Halifax has ended.

Where can I watch Last Tango in Halifax?

In United States, Last Tango in Halifax streams on Britbox Apple TV channel, BritBox, BritBox Amazon Channel, Kanopy, Hoopla.