Release Date: March 22, 2007
Writer: Shelagh Delaney
Producer: Polly Thomas
Runtime: 45 min.

Worlds and generations collide in this unusual family drama from Shelagh Delaney, one of Britain's leading dramatists. Set on a smallholding during the foot-and-mouth epidemic of 2001, Country Life contrasts a rural idyll with the fast-moving world of Hollywood.

Middle-aged Rose has escaped from it all on a Yorkshire smallholding, but her peace is interrupted when her teenage nephew, Boris, appears out of nowhere, having run away from a family holiday to celebrate his father's Oscar nomination. Boris is angry and wants to change the world; Rose is tired and just wants a quiet life, threatened by the impending slaughter of her livestock.

Matters are further complicated by the rival of Eddie, Boris's father, Rose's younger brother and the famous British actor who is currently the darling of Hollywood. Eddie is confused, tired and angry and wants to change the world, but only if Boris will come back with him to LA.

The three generations have to examine what they want, who they think they are and what to do next, in the bizarre isolation of a farm in the middle of a pandemic. As the media gets wind of Eddie's whereabouts and starts to close in, in the shape of local newshound Jim, Eddie makes a last plea to Boris to come back with him. As they make their escape, with Rose's blessing, the Army roars up to kill off all the animals, leaving Rose in the midst of a rural hell.

Rose ...... Barbara Marten
Boris ...... Thomas Sangster
Eddie ...... Nick Sidi
Jim ...... Richard Oldham

Piano played by Steven Reynolds.

BBC4