Backstairs Billy review

Penelope Wilton makes a marvellous Queen Mother in the best royal drama in a decade.

Backstairs Billy review

Flawless performances from Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans.

Backstairs Billy with Luke Evans and Penelope Wilton - in rehearsals

Rehearsal images have been revealed for the world premiere of Marcelo Dos Santos's play Backstairs Billy, exploring a significant moment in the 50-year relationship between the Queen Mother and her loyal servant, William "Billy" Tallon.

Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans to star in new West End play Backstairs Billy

Penelope Wilton and Luke Evans will star in a new comedy penned by Marcelo Dos Santos, titled Backstairs Billy.

Following the relationship between the Queen Mother (Wilton) and her loyal manservant, the titular Billy (Evans), during the 1979 tumult in the UK, the play is directed by Michael Grandage.

After Life Series 3 review

Only Ricky Gervais could get away with a show this toothless.

After Life, review: the emotional depth of a Post-It note

Ricky Gervais's Netflix project has gone from perfectly watchable to a soggy pudding of a series that wallows in its own thin-skinned misanthropy.

After Life Series 3 review

Its greatest strength is also its biggest weakness.

After Life - a heavenly return or a hellish flop?

Once I had discovered After Life was returning for a second season, I felt both excited and intrigued. I thought the first season was brilliant and had potential to develop plots further, but I also wondered how Ricky Gervais could expand upon the first season's rather conclusive ending. Nevertheless, once the highly-anticipated wait was over, I involuntarily binge-watched season two, and I have to say the show has been taken to new heights.