Club Benefits
Few British dramas capture an era quite like "This Life". First shown in 1996, Amy Jenkins' series follows a group of young lawyers sharing a house in South London — but its reputation comes from everything happening around the job rather than inside the courtroom: messy relationships, workplace politics and a very specific slice of 1990s British life.
You can watch "This Life" online from anywhere with a VPN (try risk-free) – and potentially for free.
All episodes of "This Life" landed on BBC iPlayer on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The collection includes series 1, series 2 and the "This Life +10" reunion special.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
Now the BBC is bringing it back into focus for its 30th anniversary. As of Wednesday, March 18, 2026, BBC iPlayer is streaming both original series alongside the "This Life +10" reunion special, giving viewers one place to watch the full run. BBC Four also started a repeat run of series 1 the same night, with star Daniela Nardini introducing the first episode.
If you're in the U.K., watching is straightforward, though you will need a valid TV Licence for iPlayer. If you're traveling overseas, you can still watch from anywhere with a VPN. Here's how to watch "This Life" online, plus what the picture looks like in the U.S., Canada and Australia.
Watch 'This Life' from anywhere
If you’re away from home and your usual streaming apps are blocked, a VPN (virtual private network) can make it look as though your device is back in your home country, so you can carry on using your existing subscriptions while you travel.
We’ve tested numerous services, and NordVPN stands out as a strong all-round option thanks to its fast speeds, reliable connections and broad device support. You can also try it with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Using a VPN is simple.
1. Install the VPN app on the device you’ll watch on. NordVPN is our pick.
2. Connect to a server in your home country. For example, choose a UK server to access BBC iPlayer while abroad.
3. Open your streaming app and play as normal.
Watch 'This Life' in the U.K.
In the U.K., "This Life" is streaming now on BBC iPlayer, with all 11 episodes of series 1, all 21 episodes of series 2 and the "This Life +10" reunion special available in one place. You'll need a valid TV Licence to watch on iPlayer. If you'd rather watch it on a channel schedule, BBC Four began a repeat run of series 1 on March 18, with the first episode introduced by Daniela Nardini.
If you’re temporarily outside the U.K., you’ll likely need a VPN to access BBC iPlayer just as you would at home. For this setup, we recommend NordVPN.
Watch 'This Life' in the U.S.
"This Life" is not available on a major U.S. streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu or BritBox. The most realistic alternatives are checking Apple TV or Amazon for digital purchase options, or using BBC iPlayer if you're a U.K. viewer traveling abroad.
If you’re a Brit in the States for work or on holiday and would rather stick with your usual U.K. streaming setup, you can still watch via BBC iPlayer by using a VPN such as NordVPN. Just connect to a U.K. server, then open BBC iPlayer as you normally would.
Watch 'This Life' in Canada
"This Life" does not currently appear to be available on a major Canadian streaming service. Apple TV and Amazon may offer digital purchase options. It’s also worth noting that this is not the same show as the 2015 Canadian series "This Life", which is available separately on CBC Gem.
If you’re a Brit in the Great White North for work or on holiday and would prefer to stick with your usual U.K. streaming setup, you can watch via your normal services by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Watch 'This Life' in Australia
Australian viewers are in a similar position. The 1990s BBC drama is not currently listed on major local streaming platforms such as Netflix, Stan or Binge. Digital purchase options may appear on Apple TV, but the clearest current home for the full collection is BBC iPlayer for viewers with U.K. access.
If you’re a Brit working or on holiday Down Under and want to keep using your usual U.K. streaming services, you can still catch the show with a VPN like NordVPN.
'This Life' cast
The main cast of "This Life" is led by Jack Davenport as Miles Stewart, Amita Dhiri as Djamila "Milly" Nassim, Andrew Lincoln as Edgar "Egg" Cook, Daniela Nardini as Anna Forbes and Jason Hughes as Warren Jones. Ramon Tikaram also plays Ferdy Garcia, who becomes an important part of the wider ensemble.
- Jack Davenport as Miles Stewart
- Amita Dhiri as Djamila "Milly" Nassim
- Andrew Lincoln as Edgar "Egg" Cook
- Daniela Nardini as Anna Forbes
- Jason Hughes as Warren Jones
- Ramon Tikaram as Ferdy Garcia
- Luisa Bradshaw-White as Kira
'This Life' episode guide
"This Life" originally ran for two series and 32 episodes on BBC Two between March 18, 1996, and August 7, 1997, before returning for the one-off special "This Life +10" on January 2, 2007. For its 30th anniversary, BBC iPlayer now has all 11 episodes of series 1, all 21 episodes of series 2 and the reunion special available in one place.
Series 1 introduces the South London house-share and the group's early days working in law, while series 2 is the longer run at 21 episodes, widening the focus as work pressure and personal fallout start to collide.
- Series 1: 11 episodes
- Series 2: 21 episodes
- "This Life +10": one-off reunion special
How many episodes of 'This Life' are there?
There are 32 regular episodes in total, split between 11 in series 1 and 21 in series 2. There is also one 80-minute reunion special, "This Life +10".
What is 'This Life +10'?
"This Life +10" is a one-off reunion special that originally aired on January 2, 2007. It catches up with the characters a decade later when they reunite for Ferdy's funeral.
Is there a series 3 of 'This Life'?
No. A third series was discussed, but it never happened. The show returned instead with the aforementioned one-off reunion special.
More from Tom's Guide
- How to watch Premier League live streams from anywhere
- How to watch 'Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere'
- How to watch NFL online
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
