This Life : Coming Together (1996)

Genres - Drama  |   Run Time - 45 min.  |   Countries - United Kingdom  |  
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Synopsis by Brian J. Dillard

A group of young lawyers moves into a South London flat together in the inaugural episode of This Life, a cult-favorite, late-'90s British drama series. Anna (Daniela Nardini), a witty, off-the-cuff Scottish barrister, interviews at a prestigious firm. Her inquisitors include Hooperman (Geoffrey Bateman), a senior partner who likes her fire; Graham (Cyril Nri), who thinks she's too unpredictable; and Miles (Jack Davenport), an old college friend with whom she once shared a one-night stand. Although Miles recommends her, Anna doesn't get the job, and she jumps to the conclusion that her old flame sabotaged her. She does, however, secure the chance to "squat" -- remain on hand at the office to do legal odds and ends, mostly scut work. Meanwhile, Egg (Andrew Lincoln) and Warren (Jason Hughes), two more prospective trainees, interview for positions at another firm: Moore, Spencer, Wright Solicitors, which is run by ex-hippie Michael O'Donnell (David Mallinson). Warren, an analytical, therapy-addicted gay man who grew up in a working-class family in Wales, impresses O'Donnell with his poise and candor; Egg, who's more whimsical and definitely more laddish, also gets the job. On hand to congratulate Egg is Milly (Amita Dhiri), his longtime girlfriend, who is already working at Moore, Spencer, Wright. Warren, however, has nobody to share with except his therapist (Gillian McCutcheon); he's stuck living on his ex-boyfriend's couch and doesn't really know the others very well. Milly, Egg, and Miles, however, are moving into a new flat together. When the others invite Anna to take one of two remaining vacant rooms, Miles goes through the roof. This Life: Coming Together first aired on BBC 2 on March 18, 1996. Amy Jenkins, who created the series and wrote the first three episodes, shares something in common with her protagonists: She received training as a lawyer.