Watch Living the Dream
- TV-14
- 2017
- 2 Seasons
-
6.8 (672)
Living the Dream is a captivating comedic drama that follows a British family, the Pembertons, as they make a life-changing move from rain-soaked England to sunny Florida in the hopes of living their American dream. The show was produced from 2017 to 2019 by LTD Productions, and it features a talented cast of actors, including Philip Glenister, Lesley Sharp, and Rosie Day.
Philip Glenister stars as Mal Pemberton, the patriarch of the family who has always wanted to leave dreary England behind and live a life free from stress and strife. He convinces his wife Jen (played by Lesley Sharp) and their teenage children, Tina (Rosie Day) and Freddie (Brenock O'Connor), to join him on this journey to find a life of blissful retirement in the bright sunshine of Florida.
Living the Dream is a show that focuses on the culture clash between the Pembertons and the locals in their new home. The family quickly realizes that their move to America is not going to be as easy as they imagined. They immediately encounter a wide range of cultural differences and are exposed to many new experiences that they never encountered in Britain.
One of the show's strongest attributes is its ability to balance comedy with drama, and Living the Dream is no exception. The show is incredibly funny at times, as we watch the Pembertons trying to navigate their new surroundings, but it also has its fair share of heart-warming moments as the family grows closer and learns to rely on one another through their challenges.
The characters in Living the Dream are well-defined and multi-dimensional. Mal Pemberton is a big character, full of dreams and plans, and he drives much of the show's plot with his larger-than-life personality. However, he is far from flaw-free, and we see him struggle to adjust to the American way of life, as well as dealing with his own shortcomings as a father and husband.
Lesley Sharp's Jen represents the voice of reason in the family, trying to keep the Pembertons on track when things start to spiral out of control. She is a wonderful counterpoint to Mal's impulses, and her strong will becomes a critical element to the family's survival in their new home.
Rosie Day's Tina is a bright and optimistic teenager who is excited about the possibilities of life in America. Her youthful optimism sometimes clashes with the realities of her new surroundings, but her drive and determination help her to overcome any obstacles in her way. Brenock O'Connor's Freddie is a teenage boy who is not as sold on the American dream as the rest of the family. He misses his friends back home and finds it hard to adjust to his new life, leading to some tension within the household.
One of the most significant themes of Living the Dream is the idea of the American dream itself. The family finds that the idealized vision they had of a happy and carefree life in Florida is not necessarily attainable. Instead, they are confronted with the complicated realities of a country that is as full of hardships as it is of opportunities. The show tackles several crucial social and economic issues that are relevant to life in America today, such as immigration, income inequality, and the opioid crisis, but always with grace and sensitivity.
Overall, Living the Dream is an enjoyable show that will appeal to anyone who loves a good family drama with a comedic edge. The show's characters are well-developed and relatable, and the writing is fresh and clever while never sacrificing its heart. LTD Productions created an excellent show that showcases the strengths of British television, and it deserves a place among the best dramas of recent years.
Living the Dream is a series that ran for 2 seasons (16 episodes) between July 18, 2017 and on LTD Productions