Sometimes all it takes is a single name on the cast list for us to watch something, and Lesley Manville has that star power. From her most recent turn as Susan Ryeland in Marble Hall Murders, to her unforgettable performance in Sherwood - she’s always dazzling. Now, we’ve unearthed her most underrated performance in Another Year - a superb drama that’ll leave you in awe.
The film, which first hit theatres in 2011, centres around one couple and their family and friends who orbit their lives through the course of a single year. Lesley plays Mary, a troubled and deeply lonely woman who's looking for connection - but she doesn't always go the right way about it.
With the film available to stream now, here’s everything you need to know about Another Year, including the cast, plot and how to watch it.
What is Another Year about?
The film, directed by Mike Leigh, follows happily married couple Tom (Jim Broadbent), a geologist, and Gerri (Ruth Sheen), a medical counsellor. Their home and allotment is the centre of their family and friendship group as they all experience love, loss, connection and change over the course of one year.
The story begins in spring when the couple host Gerri's lonely work colleague Mary (Lesley Manville) for dinner. She drinks a lot, and confides in them about her disastrous love life - which sets the tone for her character's arc. Meanwhile, the couples' son Tom (Oliver Maltman), a lawyer in his thirties, is also struggling to find a partner.
By summer, Mary's behaviour in the company of her friend verges on becoming inappropriate, forming cracks in the friendship group. As the seasons change, tensions grow and by winter Tom and Gerri have distanced themselves from their old friend.
Later, the death of Tom's sister-in-law brings the family unit closer together and leads them to reflect on their relationships, while Mary becomes increasingly isolated. The drama culminates in one final dinner when their estranged friend unexpectedly arrives - but can they make amends, and what does the future hold for the rest of the group?
Lesley Manville, 70, previously spoke to Vanity Fair about taking on the entertaining yet tragic character of Mary. “I think also I probably couldn’t have played Mary in the same way ten or 15 years ago, and probably Mike wouldn’t have made this film,” she said. “It reflects times of our lives. The more life you have, the more it’s in your pores, the more able you are to be creative as an artist.”
Who’s in the cast of Another Year?
The cast of Another Year includes:
- Jim Broadbent (The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry) as Tom
- Lesley Manville (Marble Hall Murders, Mum) as Mary
- Ruth Sheen (Vera Drake) as Gerri
- Peter Wright (Case Sensitive) as Ken
- Oliver Maltman (The Severed Sun) as Joe
- David Bradley (The Strain) as Ronnie
- Karina Fernandez (Miss Marx) as Katie
- Martin Savage (Mr Turner) as Carl
- Michele Austin (Hard Truths) as Tanya
- Phil Davis (Whitechapel) as Jack
- Stuart McQuarrie (Life Begins) as Tom’s colleague
- Imelda Staunton (The Crown, as pictured above in Trying) as Janet
Is Another Year any good?
Yes, if you’re a fan of slow-burn and emotional dramas that centre around characters rather than plot, it’s the perfect next watch. Lesley is deeply moving as Mary. She manages to portray that her bubbly and happy persona is a façade to hide a deep sadness - and it’s impossible not to be blown away by her performance!
How can I watch Another Year?
You can watch Another Year now on Prime Video.
What other Lesley Manville dramas can I watch now?
For Lesley Manville’s latest detective drama, we’d recommend Marble Hall Murders. Lesley returns as Susan Ryeland, the book editor turned sleuth, for the final instalment of her adventures in the much-loved trilogy - and she’s truly exceptional in it. You can watch Marble Hall Murders now on BBC iPlayer. If you’re after a brilliant period drama, we’d recommend Harlots, in which Lesley stars as a merciless brothel owner, Lydia Quigley, in Georgian London. She comes up against her longstanding rival, Margaret Wells (Samantha Morton), when she opens up shop on her upmarket Soho turf. You can watch Harlots now on U.
