Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|British television series}} {{Use British English|date=February 2020}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox television | show_name = Last Tango in Halifax | image = Last Tango in Halifax.png | alt=Series title over coloured overlapping stripes | caption = | genre = [[Comedy-drama]] | creator = | developer = | writer = [[Sally Wainwright]] | director = | creative_director = | starring = {{Plainlist| *[[Derek Jacobi]] *[[Anne Reid]] *[[Sarah Lancashire]] *[[Nicola Walker]] }} | theme_music_composer = | opentheme = | endtheme = | composer = [[Murray Gold]] | country = United Kingdom | language = English | num_series = 5 | num_episodes = 24 | list_episodes = List of Last Tango in Halifax episodes | executive_producer = [[Nicola Shindler]] | producer = | editor = | location = [[Yorkshire]] | cinematography = | camera = | runtime = 60 minutes | company = [[Red Production Company]] | distributor = | channel = [[BBC One]] | picture_format = | audio_format = | first_run = | first_aired = {{start date|df=yes|2012|11|20}} | last_aired = present | status = | preceded_by = | followed_by = | related = | website = https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03h4107 | production_website = http://www.redproductioncompany.com/ }} '''''Last Tango in Halifax''''' is a [[Television in the United Kingdom|British]] [[comedy-drama]] series that began broadcasting on [[BBC One]] on 20 November 2012.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[Digital Spy]]| url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a842237/derek-jacobi-says-last-tango-in-halifax-ending/|title=Derek Jacobi says ''Last Tango in Halifax'' 'is finished'|last=Harp|first= Justin |date= 4 November 2017 |accessdate=29 March 2018}}</ref> Screenwriter [[Sally Wainwright]] loosely adapted the story of her mother's second marriage.<ref name=WainwrightPR>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/tango/writer.html|title=Interview with writer, Sally Wainwright|work=BBC Press Office|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|date=13 August 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> The series stars [[Derek Jacobi]] and [[Anne Reid]] as Alan and Celia.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/10440648/Last-Tango-in-Halifax-Anne-Reid-interview.html|title=Last Tango in Halifax: Anne Reid interview|date=19 November 2013|work=The Telegraph|accessdate=8 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/anne-reids-slowburn-success-the-our-zoo-star-on-the-surgeons-knife-bedding-daniel-craig-and-having-a-lateblooming-career-9709445.html|title=Anne Reid's slow-burn success: The Our Zoo star on the surgeon's knife, bedding Daniel Craig and having a late-blooming career|work=The Independent|date=6 September 2014|accessdate=8 January 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/Tango-Halifax-BBC1-tonight-Sarah-Lancashire-Derek/story-25803546-detail/story.html|title=Last Tango in Halifax on BBC1 tonight with Sarah Lancashire, Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid and Nicola Walker|work=Scunthorpe Telegraph|date=4 January 2015|accessdate=8 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105012447/http://www.scunthorpetelegraph.co.uk/Tango-Halifax-BBC1-tonight-Sarah-Lancashire-Derek/story-25803546-detail/story.html|archive-date=5 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> The series has been praised for its depiction of the older generation, strong acting, and believable dialogue. A critic for ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' summarised the series as "a triumph against TV's ageism", and it has been endorsed by an executive member of the charity [[Age UK]]. Ahead of the American premiere, a critic for the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described it as "the best new show of the fall". ''Last Tango in Halifax'' accrued four nominations for the [[2013 British Academy Television Awards]] and won the [[British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series]]. ==Overview== Celia Dawson and Alan Buttershaw are both widowed and in their seventies. They were attracted to each other in the 1950s, but never expressed their feelings, and Celia moved away with her parents. In the present day, they are reunited after being persuaded to join [[Facebook]] by their respective grandchildren.<ref name=Introduction>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/tango/|title=Last Tango In Halifax- Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid lead cast in a new drama series for BBC One|work=BBC Press Office|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|date=13 August 2012|accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref> Alan has loved Celia since he was 16 years old,<ref name=CastInterviews/> whilst Celia is described as a woman who is "unfulfilled" and was unhappily married to a man she grew to hate.<ref name=CastInterviews/> After their reunion, Alan and Celia discover that they still feel as passionately for each other as they did when they were teenagers. Their story is described as a "testament of the uplifting power of love at any age".<ref name=Introduction/> Alan and Celia's romance is depicted alongside the troubles of their own grown-up daughters, and the series' official description says that its portrayal of family is "as dark as it is comic".<ref name=Introduction/> Alan's daughter Gillian and Celia's daughter Caroline are complete opposites: widowed Gillian runs a farm and works part-time in a supermarket,<ref name=CastInterviews/> whilst [[Oxford University|Oxford]]-educated<ref name=CastInterviews/> Caroline is the headmistress of a successful school.<ref name=Introduction/> Their parents' engagement affects both daughters' lives. Gillian wonders how she and her son will cope without her father around to help,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p1q6x/profiles/gillian|title=Gillian|publisher=BBC|accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref> whilst Caroline, struggling with [[depression (mood)|depression]] and her feelings for a female colleague, feels that her mother's unconventional romance gives her "permission to finally admit to being who she really is".<ref name=Caroline>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p1q6x/profiles/caroline|title=Caroline|publisher=BBC|accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref> The show's creators have confirmed that Alan and Celia have both tested positive for Covid-19 and are not in a good way. ==Production== ===Concept and writing=== The series is based on lead writer [[Sally Wainwright]]'s personal experiences.<ref name=WainwrightPR>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/tango/writer.html|title=Interview with writer, Sally Wainwright|work=BBC Press Office|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|date=13 August 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> She described it as "the most personal thing I've ever written".<ref name="WainwrightTT">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/features/10531953/last-tango-in-halifax-wedding-sally-wainwright-love-bbc-derek-jacobi-anne-reid.html|title=My mother's late-life love is charming the nation|first=Charlotte|last=Williamson|date=22 December 2013|work=The Telegraph|accessdate=6 March 2014}}</ref> Her mother, Dorothy, lost contact with a childhood friend, Alec Walker,<ref name=WainwrightPR/> when she was 15, but they reconnected on the [[social networking]] website [[Friends Reunited]] 60 years later<ref name="WainwrightTT"/> and within six months were married. When she told the story to her colleague [[Nicola Shindler]], Shindler suggested she turn her experience into a television series. Shindler became the series' [[executive producer]]. Through Caroline, the series explores various [[LGBT]] themes. A source of contention for Celia is her daughter entering into a [[same sex relationship]] and later [[coming out]] to her. Anne Reid spoke positively of the storyline, stating that she believes a lot of people of her own generation are homophobic. She felt that her own character "might show them [and] might change them" just as Celia must become more accepting to avoid losing Alan. Jacobi concurred: Alan has "a streak of tolerance in him&nbsp;... that perhaps Celia doesn't".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afterellen.com/last-tango-in-halifax-stars-talk-about-its-lesbian-component/09/2013/|title="Last Tango in Halifax" stars talk about its lesbian component|last=Halterman|first=J.|publisher=[[AfterEllen]]|date=9 September 2013|accessdate=19 September 2013}}</ref> In series three, the division between Celia and Caroline widens after Celia refuses to attend Caroline's wedding to another woman. Wainwright felt that [[killing off]] Caroline's partner Kate would be the most effective way to propel the drama onwards and to develop the emotional lives of the remaining characters going forward. She was conflicted over this decision, having grown attached to the character of Kate, and actress Nina Sosanya, and wrote two versions of the fourth episode; the unaired one would have seen Kate survive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.divamag.co.uk/category/arts-entertainment/last-tango-writer-why-i-killed-off-lesbian-character.aspx|title=Last Tango writer: Why I killed off lesbian character|last=Lyell|first=Carrie|work=[[Diva (magazine)|Diva]]|date=16 January 2015|accessdate=20 January 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120213547/http://www.divamag.co.uk/category/arts-entertainment/last-tango-writer-why-i-killed-off-lesbian-character.aspx|archivedate=20 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ===Characters and casting=== [[File:Derek Jacobi.jpg|thumb|200px|right|upright|Derek Jacobi is renowned for his theatre work.]] Discussing the casting of Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid, Wainwright stated: "we went for the best and we got them".<ref name=WainwrightPR/> ''[[The Guardian]]'' felt that one of the series' successes was the unlikely casting of a "theatrical knight" (Jacobi) and a "TV Stalwart" (Reid).<ref name=Guardianrvw>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/nov/25/last-tango-in-halifax-review|title=Rewind TV: Last Tango in Halifax; Homeland; The Aristocrats: Blenheim Palace; Gadget Man; Supersized Earth&nbsp;– review|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|last=Anthony|first=Andrew|date=25 November 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> Jacobi was surprised to be offered the role of Alan; as his reputation centred on parts that were either "posh", "classical" or "costume". He enjoyed having the chance to play someone who is "an ordinary fellow".<ref name=OrdinaryFellow>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/sir-derek-jacobi-on-last-tango-in-halifax-and-being-just-an-ordinary-fella-9942877.html|title=Sir Derek Jacobi on 'Last Tango in Halifax' and being just an ordinary fella|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent Media Group]]|last=Gilbert|first=Gerard|date=23 December 2014|accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> He also felt the series provided a chance to depict a "love story between two older characters that isn't patronising or stereotyped in any way".<ref name=CastInterviews/> Reid and Jacobi also influenced the creative process&nbsp;— after Reid discovered Jacobi could [[jive (dance)|jive]], they implored Wainright to include a dance scene in an episode.<ref name=WainwrightPR/><ref name="www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk anne-reid-last-tango-halifax"/> Jacobi also inspired a scene in which two of Alan's friends (played by [[Roy Barraclough]] and [[Paul Copley]])<ref name=BBCep5>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pfsms|title=Last Tango in Halifax&nbsp;— episode five|accessdate=17 April 2013|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref> vie to be his best man. A teenage version of Alan is portrayed in flashback by [[Nico Mirallegro]].<ref name=BBCep6>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pjkcm|title=Last Tango in Halifax&nbsp;— episode six|accessdate=17 April 2013|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref> Reid was Wainwright's personal choice for the role of Celia. Reid hoped that ''Last Tango in Halifax'' would "give hope to older people".<ref name=ReidRT>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-11-20/anne-reid-i-hope-last-tango-in-halifax-gives-hope-to-older-people|title=Anne Reid: "I hope Last Tango in Halifax gives hope to older people"|work=[[Radio Times]]|publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]]|last=Duncan|first=Andrew|date=20 November 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> Reid identified herself with Celia's personality&nbsp;— believing herself to be quite reckless and outgoing&nbsp;<ref name="www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk anne-reid-last-tango-halifax">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvchoicemagazine.co.uk/interviewextra/anne-reid-last-tango-halifax|title=Anne Reid|work=[[What's on TV]]|publisher=[[IPC Media]]|last=Fiaca|first=Nick|date=13 November 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref>— though stated that unlike her character she has no desire to enter another relationship.<ref name=ReidRT/> Reid described filming the series as "one of the best times in my career" and stated that she was proud of the work put in.<ref name=CastInterviews>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/tango/cast.html|title=Cast interviews|date=13 August 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013|work=BBC Press Office|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref> Amelia Young plays a teenage Celia during a flashback sequence in episode six.<ref name=BBCep6/> [[File:Sarah Lancashire 2013.jpg|thumb|180px|right|upright|Sarah Lancashire portrays Celia's daughter [[Caroline Dawson|Caroline]], whose lesbian relationship forms a prominent subplot.]] Lancashire discerned that the series was "very special" within reading two pages of the script. Other factors that persuaded her to commit to the series included the casting of Reid and Jacobi, and the series' juxtaposition of a heart-warming story with elements of humour.<ref name=CastInterviews/> In terms of her character, Lancashire identified with Caroline being "a working woman trying to keep everything under control".<ref name=CastInterviews/> She stated the series' ensemble cast was "the closest I’ve come to being in a theatre company on television" due to how well the actors worked together.<ref name=HarshestCritic>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-04-29/sarah-lancashire-on-happy-valley-im-my-own-harshest-critic|title=Sarah Lancashire on Happy Valley: I’m my own harshest critic|work=[[Radio Times]]|publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]]|last=Duncan|first=Andrew|date=29 April 2014|accessdate=20 May 2014}}</ref> The cast had all assumed that ''Last Tango in Halifax'' would only run for one series.<ref name=HarshestCritic/> Filming of the second series clashed with filming of the second series of the [[BBC One]] [[period drama]] ''[[The Paradise (TV series)|The Paradise]]'', which also starred Sarah Lancashire. This necessitated her having to leave her role in ''The Paradise'' halfway through the second series in order to reprise her role as Caroline in ''Last Tango in Halifax''.{{cn|date=December 2019}} In an interview in 2013 Lancashire stated that the decision to return to ''Last Tango in Halifax'' was the easiest she had made in her working life stating "as an actor you can wait an entire career to be involved in a project like this."<ref name=Carolineimpact>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/film-and-tv/sarah-lancashire-says-role-last-2806599|title=Sarah Lancashire says her latest role has had a much bigger impact than Corrie's Raquel|work=[[Irish Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|last=Myall|first=Steve|date=19 November 2013|accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref> The role resulted in her receiving the most fan mail of her career. Lancashire was surprised and humbled by the responses from women stating that Caroline's [[same sex relationship]] had personally inspired them.<ref name=Carolineimpact/> She stated that in her approach to the character she did not focus on Caroline's sexuality, but the "humanity of her".<ref name=Carolineimpact/> Due to the underrepresentation of gay characters on television, Lancashire felt it particularly important that Caroline's experience would not be portrayed inaccurately.<ref name=Carolineimpact/> In 2014 Wainwright recalled being "blown away" by Lancashire's performances in the rushes for the series, which partly inspired her to script the series ''[[Happy Valley (TV series)|Happy Valley]]'' in which Lancashire plays the lead role.<ref name=TalkedAbout>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/happy-valley-sally-wainwright-most-7179526|title=Happy Valley: Writer Sally Wainwright on TV's most talked about show|work=[[Wales Online]]|last=Jones|first=Hannah|date=28 May 2014|accessdate=19 August 2014}}</ref> Nicola Walker completes the main cast as Gillian. She admired the character's honesty, bravery and lack of self-pity, and identified strongly with her tendency to speak before thinking things through and her deep love for her father.<ref name=CastInterviews/> In 2014 ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' described the role as a "game-changer" in the trajectory of Walker's career.<ref name=FeistyFace>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/10735392/Nicola-Walker-Ive-got-a-feisty-face.html|title=Nicola Walker: 'I've got a feisty face'|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|last=Rees|first=Jasper|date=4 April 2014|accessdate=21 November 2014}}</ref> Though ultimately successful in winning the role Walker initially believed that she would not get the part due to a lack of confidence in her northern accent, and the presence of northern actresses in the audition.<ref name=FeistyFace/> Her approach to the character saw her delve into Gillian's psychology with Walker particularly interested in the contradiction between Gillian's sexual confidence and her use of sex as a form of self-punishment.<ref name=FeistyFace/> She felt the series showed a very adult approach to storytelling, stating that she had "never come across a character like Gillian before" and praising the variety of strong female roles.<ref name=WalkerPressure>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/nicola-walker-interview-theres-more-pressure-in-feeling-rated-9238554.html|title=Nicola Walker interview: ‘There’s more pressure in feeling rated’|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=[[Independent Media Group]]|last=Mounford|first=Fiona|date=4 April 2014|accessdate=21 November 2014}}</ref> ''[[The Independent]]'' noted the significance of the series having three female leads over the age of 40, stating that this, alongside Caroline's lesbian storyline and Gillian's attitude towards sex made the series "quietly subversive" when compared against primetime television as a whole.<ref name=WalkerPressure/> In addition to its main characters, ''Last Tango in Halifax'' features a regular supporting cast. [[Nina Sosanya]] plays Caroline's romantic partner Kate, who she decides to marry over the course of the series. Gerard Gilbert of ''[[The Independent (newspaper)|The Independent]]'' describes the relationship between the couple as "one of the most normalised lesbian relationships ever shown on the small screen."<ref name=OrdinaryFellow/> Nina Sosanya noted that she enjoyed filming with Sarah Lancashire and that the pair would "giggle a lot like completely juvenile idiots" whilst filming their love scenes.<ref name=OrdinaryFellow/> Other characters introduced in the first series include Caroline's husband John ([[Tony Gardner]]) and his lover Judith ([[Ronni Ancona]]), Gillian's brother-in-law, Robbie ([[Dean Andrews]]), and Paul ([[Sacha Dhawan]]), a youth with whom Gillian has a sexual relationship. [[Josh Bolt]] plays Gillian's son Raff, whilst Edward Ashley and [[Louis Greatorex]] play Caroline's teenage sons William and Lawrence.<ref name="BBCep5"/><ref name="BBCep6"/><ref name=BBCep1>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p1q71|title=Last Tango in Halifax&nbsp;— episode one|accessdate=17 April 2013|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref><ref name=BBCep2>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p51w7|title=Last Tango in Halifax&nbsp;— episode two|accessdate=17 April 2013|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref><ref name=BBCep3>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p71vy|title=Last Tango in Halifax&nbsp;— episode three|accessdate=17 April 2013|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref><ref name=BBCep4>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pbm4y|title=Last Tango in Halifax&nbsp;— episode four|accessdate=17 April 2013|publisher=[[BBC Online]]}}</ref> The second series expanded the families of Alan and Celia. [[Timothy West]] appears as Alan's brother Ted whilst [[Gemma Jones]] plays Celia's sister Muriel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2013/52/last-tango|title=Last Tango In Halifax|publisher=[[BBC online]]|accessdate=4 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/tv-and-radio-reviews/10523927/Last-Tango-in-Halifax-series-2-episode-five-review.html|title=Last Tango in Halifax, series 2, episode five, review|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|last=Ward|first=Rachel|date=17 December 2013|accessdate=4 November 2014}}</ref> The third series later introduces [[Rupert Graves]] as Gary, who is revealed to be Alan's illegitimate son,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/11307980/rupert-graves-interview-last-tango-in-halifax.html|title=Rupert Graves: 'If I need cash I'll do anything, I don't really care'|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|last=Wilson|first=Benji|date=29 December 2014|accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> and [[Michelle Hurst]] as Kate's mother Ginika.<ref name=OrdinaryFellow/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/ddr7dh/last-tango-in-halifax--series-3---episode-4|title=Last Tango in Halifax: Series 3 - Episode 4|work=[[Radio Times]]|accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref> ===Filming=== The first series was filmed in [[Yorkshire]] and in [[Altrincham]] between January and April 2012. Altrincham was used to represent scenes set in [[Harrogate]], such as those set at Caroline's house.{{cn|date=December 2019}} The second series began filming in July 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/tv-news/news/filming-starts-on-last-tango-in-halifax-2|title=Filming starts on Last Tango in Halifax 2|work=[[What's on TV]]|publisher=[[IPC Media]]|date=4 July 2013|accessdate=17 September 2013}}</ref> Filming took place at [[Holdsworth House]] in [[Halifax, West Yorkshire|Halifax]] in August 2013{{cn|date=December 2019}} and also at [[Hoghton Tower]], a fortified manor house in Lancashire, in August 2013. This resulted in the Tower's being closed to the public between 19 and 28 August.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lep.co.uk/what-s-on/tv/last-tango-at-the-tower-this-autumn-1-5961894|title=Last Tango at the Tower this Autumn|work=[[Lancashire Evening Post]]|publisher=[[Johnston Press]]|date=17 August 2013|accessdate=17 September 2013}}</ref> In September the [[University of York]] supplied ten students from the Department of Theatre, Film and Television to work as [[extra (acting)|extras]] on the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.york.ac.uk/tftv/news-events/news/2013/last-tango-in-halifax/|title=Last Tango in Halifax|publisher=[[The University of York]]|date=6 September 2013|accessdate=17 September 2013}}</ref> Filming for the third series began in Yorkshire and at [[Peover Hall]], near [[Knutsford]], Cheshire in July 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-07-07/last-tango-in-halifax-filming-gets-underway-with-sarah-lancashire-derek-jacobi-and-anne-reid|title=Last Tango in Halifax filming gets underway with Sarah Lancashire, Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid|publisher=[[Radio Times]]|date=7 July 2014|accessdate=12 February 2015}}</ref> ==Episodes== {{Main|List of Last Tango in Halifax episodes}} {{:List of Last Tango in Halifax episodes}} ==Broadcast audiences== [[File:Last Tango in Halifax Rankings 3.png|thumb|Consolidated viewing figures]] The series premièred to overnight ratings of 6.160&nbsp;million viewers, 25.6% of the available audience, as the highest rated show at 9 pm on 20 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a439838/cheryl-coles-itv2-show-attracts-more-than-800000-viewers.html|title=Cheryl Cole's ITV2 show attracts more than 800,000 viewers|last=Millar|first=Paul|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]]|date=21 November 2012|accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref> The series finale, airing 19 December 2012, also won its time-slot, achieving an overnight series high of 6.290&nbsp;million viewers, 26.6% of the available audience.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a446514/last-tango-in-halifax-ends-on-high-note-for-bbc-one.html|title='Last Tango in Halifax' ends on high note for BBC One|last=Millar|first=Paul|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Corporation]]|date=20 December 2012|accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref> Consolidated figures released by the [[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]] (BARB) revealed that the series première achieved a consolidated rating of 7.304&nbsp;million viewers,<ref name="Board"/> whilst the finale had 7.480&nbsp;million.<ref name="Board">{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10? |title=Viewing Data&nbsp;— Top Tens |publisher=[[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board|BARB]] |accessdate=6 March 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140718204656/http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10 |archivedate=18 July 2014 }}</ref> The overall series average in terms of viewing figures was 7.316&nbsp;million viewers.{{#tag:ref|Calculated by combining the individual viewing figures for each episode, sourced from the [[Broadcasters' Audience Research Board]] (7.304&nbsp;million, 6.779&nbsp;million, 7.508&nbsp;million, 7.334&nbsp;million, 7.492&nbsp;million, 7.480&nbsp;million)<ref name="Board"/> and dividing by six.|group=nb}} ''[[The Independent]]'' reported that the early consolidated ratings received by the programme made it the highest rated new mid-week television drama of 2012.<ref name=series2>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/bbc-one-drama-last-tango-in-halifax-recommissioned-for-second-series-8406268.html|title=BBC One drama Last Tango in Halifax re-commissioned for second series|last=Wyatt|first=Daisy|accessdate=18 April 2013|date=11 December 2012|work=[[The Independent]]|publisher=Independent Print Limited}}</ref> In September 2013, the series began airing on the [[United States|American]] [[terrestrial television|broadcast]] [[television network]] [[PBS]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/PBS-to-Premiere-New-6-Part-Drama-LAST-TANGO-IN-HALIFAX-Today-20130907|title=PBS Premieres New 6-Part Drama Last Tango In Halifax Tonight|publisher=BroadwayWorld.com|date=8 September 2013|accessdate=19 September 2013}}</ref> ==Critical reception== [[Rotten Tomatoes]] critic ratings are 94% for Series 1 and 100% for Series 2 and 3.<ref>https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/last_tango_in_halifax</ref> The series has attracted mostly positive reviews, largely focused on the depiction of its two septuagenarian lead characters. Jane Shilling of ''The Daily Telegraph'' labelled the series "a triumph against TV's ageism" in an examination of the portrayal of elderly people in the media.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/9724033/Last-Tango-in-Halifax-a-triumph-against-TVs-ageism.html|title=Last Tango in Halifax: a triumph against TV's ageism| work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|publisher=[[Telegraph Media Group]]|last=Shilling|first=Jane|date=11 December 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> Shilling singled out Jacobi and Reid's performances, stating that they provide a "mixture of gravity and levity" that "brings a transcendent quality to their characters' resolute ordinariness". Lucy Harmer, an executive member of the charity [[Age UK]], also praised the series for portraying two "normal, healthy and sane" older characters, citing the depiction of Internet use by the elderly as something ordinary. She compared the treatment of older characters in the series to [[Hilary Boyd]]'s novel ''Thursdays in the Park'' and the film ''[[The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel]]'' (2012).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/nov/28/last-tango-in-halifax-age-uk-view|title=Last Tango in Halifax: an Age UK executive's view|last=Bennett|first=Laura|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|date=28 November 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> ''[[The Huffington Post]]''{{'}}s Caroline Frost thought the series was reminiscent of the dialogue and sensibility of the playwright [[Alan Bennett]]. She wrote the story was poignant and praised a central theme underlining "how many people make do with their day-to-day business and responsibilities, while still holding on to their private dreams".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/20/tv-review-last-tango-in-h_n_2168464.html|title=TV Review: Last Tango In Halifax&nbsp;— A Love That Blooms Late And Twice As Sweet|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|last=Frost|first=Caroline|date=21 November 2012|accessdate=18 April 2013}}</ref> Andrew Anthony of ''[[The Guardian]]'' had his "low expectations&nbsp;... squarely confounded", giving particular praise to the dialogue and the central performances.<ref name=Guardianrvw/> Jane Simon of the ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' felt that ''Last Tango in Halifax'' experienced a mid-series dip, though she praised what she felt was a triumphant finale. She also praised Wainwright's script and the lead quartet of Jacobi, Reid, Lancashire, and Walker for creating "characters you can believe in even when they're behaving appallingly".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/tv-previews-last-tango-in-halifax-1496117|title=Wednesday's must-see TV: Family in a spin in Last Tango In Halifax plus The Town and Snow Babies|work=[[Daily Mirror]]|publisher=[[Trinity Mirror]]|last=Simon|first=Jane|date=19 December 2012|accessdate=17 April 2013}}</ref> The series was reviewed favourably by the American website [[AfterEllen]], which reports on the depiction of gay and bisexual women in the media. Correspondent Jill Guccini stated that she "started off watching this series thinking it was a cute little show about some oldies falling in love", but at the end of the series believed it was "some of the finest television I've seen, anywhere, ever".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afterellen.com/2013/03/last-tango-halifax-recap-infected-lesbian-spores-ep-6?page=0%2C0 |title="Last Tango in Halifax" recap: Infected with Lesbian Spores (Ep. 6) |publisher=[[AfterEllen]] |last=Guccini |first=Gill |date=26 March 2013 |accessdate=18 April 2013 |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130628092613/http://www.afterellen.com/2013/03/last-tango-halifax-recap-infected-lesbian-spores-ep-6?page=0,0 |archivedate=28 June 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Critical reception in the United States was also largely positive following PBS' acquisition of the show. Mary McNamara of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' labelled the series as "the best new show of the fall" describing it as "a rapturous mix of absurdly fairy-tale-romance and frantic modern complications, set in the picturesque drear of Yorkshire and brought to life by masterfully shaded performances." She opined that Reid and Jacobi "are capable of doing more with a startled look or careful smile&nbsp;... than most actors can do in seven pages of dialogue".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-last-tango-in-halifax-review,0,5586873.story|title=Review: 'Last Tango in Halifax' on PBS is the fall's best new show|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|publisher=|last=McNamara|first=Mary|date=7 September 2013|accessdate=19 September 2013}}</ref> Matthew Gilbert of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' acknowledged that the public might not find the series appealing based on its title and premise alone, stating that PBS' description of the programme made it sound "as saccharine and hackneyed as a [[Geritol]] commercial". Upon viewing the series however, he praised the added dimensions of the series and wrote that it was "so much more interesting" than the central premise suggested. He also felt that Walker and Lancashire played an important part; "both add[ing] a necessary amount of bitter to the sweet".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/television/2013/09/05/last-tango-halifax-bitter-with-sweet/6wkGhEw25OpZjK3jIFdXNL/story.html|title=The dimensions of 'Last Tango in Halifax'|work=[[The Boston Globe]]|last=Gilbert|first=Matthew|date=5 September 2013|accessdate=19 September 2013}}</ref> Mike Hale of ''[[The New York Times]]'' was more cynical about the series, describing it as a "warm comforter of a series" and "treacle". However he felt that series also distinguished itself from this category of media by its "relatively dry style and careful modulation of tone and volume" in addition to "a crackerjack cast".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tv.nytimes.com/2013/09/07/arts/television/late-life-romance-in-last-tango-in-halifax-on-pbs.html?_r=0|title=After 60 Years, Weak-Kneed and Starry-Eyed|work=[[The New York Times]]|last=Hale|first=Mike|date=6 September 2013|accessdate=19 September 2013}}</ref> However, while reception of the series itself in the United States has been generally favourable, PBS has come under some criticism for its choice to broadcast edited versions of several episodes (often involving several minutes of deletions) for reasons of both length and for content.{{fact|date=March 2020}} ===Accolades=== The first series of ''Last Tango in Halifax'' was nominated for four awards at the [[2013 British Academy Television Awards]], which took place on 12 May 2013. Actors Derek Jacobi, Anne Reid, and Sarah Lancashire earned respective nominations in the [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]], [[British Academy Television Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]], and [[British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] categories. The series itself was nominated for the [[British Academy Television Award for Best Drama Series]], and ultimately won.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2013/may/12/last-tango-halifax-bbc-bafta|title=Last Tango dances off with Bafta prize for 'love story about people over 35'|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|work=[[The Guardian]]|last1=Plunkett|last2=Halliday|first1=John|first2=Josh|date=12 May 2013|accessdate=10 September 2013}}</ref> Additionally, Wainwright was named best Drama Writer at the 2013 [[British Academy Television Craft Awards]] for her writing of the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/apr/29/bafta-tv-craft-awards-2013|title=Bafta TV craft awards: BBC London Olympics coverage takes two|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]| last=Plunkett| first=John| date=29 April 2013| accessdate=6 May 2013}}</ref> The series was nominated for Best Drama Series at the 2013 [[Broadcasting Press Guild Awards]] whilst Sally Wainwright was nominated for the writer's award for her contribution to both ''Last Tango in Halifax'' and ''[[Scott & Bailey]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingpressguild.org/2013/02/07/39th-broadcasting-press-guild-awards/|title=Parade's End leads TV nominations for 39th Broadcasting Press Guild Awards|publisher=[[Broadcasting Press Guild]]|date=7 February 2013|accessdate=2 October 2013|last=Torin|first=Douglas}}</ref> In 2014, Sarah Lancashire and Nicola Walker were both nominated for a British Academy Television Award in the category for "Best Supporting Actress" for their roles in ''Last Tango in Halifax''. Lancashire won the award for her role as Caroline.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://awards.bafta.org/award/2014/television|title=Television in 2014|publisher=BAFTA| accessdate= 4 January 2015}}</ref> ==Possible adaptations== In October 2013, it was reported in news outlets that American actress, screenwriter, and producer [[Diane Keaton]] had acquired the rights to remake ''Last Tango in Halifax'' for American audiences on the subscription cable channel [[HBO]].<ref name=DianeKeaton1>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/28/diane-keaton-bbc-last-tango-in-halifax-us-remake|title=Diane Keaton plans US remake of BBC's Last Tango in Halifax|work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group]]|last=Brown|first=Maggie|date=28 October 2013|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref> Sally Wainwright mentioned this development at a [[Broadcasting Press Guild]] event and stated that though she did not expect to be closely involved in the remake, she would have an associate producer role.<ref name=DianeKeaton1/> However, the following day [[Red Production Company]] released a statement stating that a remake would likely be delayed since the original series was still airing on American channel PBS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-10-29/diane-keatons-last-tango-in-halifax-us-remake-delayed|title=Diane Keaton's Last Tango in Halifax US remake delayed|work=[[Radio Times]]|publisher=[[Immediate Media Company]]|last=Dowell|first=Ben|date=29 October 2013|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref> In April 2014, it was reported that the series would be remade for French television by [[BBC Worldwide]] France and the production company NEWEN.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a563599/last-tango-in-halifax-to-get-remake-on-french-television.html#~oDu284EqK4T9W3|title=Last Tango in Halifax to get remake on French television|last=Jeffrey|first=Morgan|work=[[Digital Spy]]|publisher=[[Hearst Magazines UK]]|date=9 April 2014|accessdate=6 May 2014}}</ref> ==Notes== {{reflist|group="nb"|1}} ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== *{{BBC programme}} *{{British Comedy Guide|tv|last_tango_in_halifax|Last Tango in Halifax}} *{{IMDb title|id=2216156|title=Last Tango in Halifax}} *{{tv.com show|last-tango-in-halifax|Last Tango in Halifax}} *{{epguides|LastTangoinHalifax|Last Tango in Halifax}} * [https://www.pbs.org/last-tango-in-halifax/home/ ''Last Tango in Halifax'' on PBS] {{BAFTA TV Award for Best Drama Series 2010–2029}} {{Sally Wainwright |state=expanded}} [[Category:2012 British television series debuts]] [[Category:2010s British drama television series]] [[Category:2020s British drama television series]] [[Category:BBC high definition programmes]] [[Category:BBC television dramas]] [[Category:British comedy-drama television programmes]] [[Category:British LGBT-related television shows]] [[Category:Lesbian-related television programs]] [[Category:Television series created by Sally Wainwright]] [[Category:Television shows set in West Yorkshire]] [[Category:BAFTA winners (television series)]] [[Category:English-language television programs]]'