Rob James Collier has been cast as the lead character Joe, in ITV’s new romantic drama “Love Life.”


Collier, best known for playing footman Thomas in Downton Abbey
and Liam Connor in Coronation Street, will star alongside DCI Bates
actress Andrea Lowe, who is cast as Lucy in the three part series penned by Lark Rise to Candleford writer Bill Gallagher.

The series, set in Manchester and produced by Red Production Company, will follow the faltering relationship of Joe and Lucy. 
Love Life has been commissioned for ITV by Director of Drama Commissioning Laura Mackie, who explained in the press release:

“Love Life is a tender and funny story about grown-ups who refuse to grow up,” said Laura. “We’re delighted with Bill’s scripts as they are warm, romantic and comic as he analyses how good people come to terms with the trials of love. We’re delighted to commission Love Life for ITV1 viewers.”

Red Production Company’s Chief Executive Nicola Shindler, who will be executive producer of Love Life, added:

“It’s going to be a painful and heart-wrenching journey, but it’s a romantic comedy so there’s lots of moments that will make you smile as Joe and Lucy search for harmony and happiness.”

Filming for ITV’s Love Life began at the end of October and will continue for six weeks on location in Manchester.

The BBC also has a new drama with the same title, Love Life, written by Dominic Savage, that will focus on five overlapping stories of romance and love, starring David Tennant, Billie Piper, Jane Horrocks, David Morrissey and Ashley Walters. Other cast for the drama will include Lacey Turner, Jenny Agutter, Jaime Winstone, and Vicky McClure.