James Norton stars in 'Life in Squares', a must-watch period drama

The 2015 series explores the lives of the renowned Bloomsbury group in early 20th century Britain.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Life in Squares is a 2015 period drama series that follows the lives of the Bloomsbury group, a collection of British writers, artists and thinkers in the early 20th century. The three-part series, starring James Norton, Phoebe Fox, and Lydia Leonard, delves into the tumultuous relationships and creative passions of the group, including painter Vanessa Bell and her sister, author Virginia Woolf. Spanning from the death of Queen Victoria to World War II, the drama explores how the Bloomsbury group navigated love, sex and artistic freedom during a transformative time.

Why it matters

The Bloomsbury group was a pioneering collective that challenged Victorian social norms through their radical approach to art, sexuality and personal relationships. Life in Squares provides a captivating dramatized look at this influential circle, highlighting their lasting impact on British culture and society.

The details

Penned by BAFTA-winning writer Amanda Coe, Life in Squares follows the Bloomsbury group over 40 years. It centers on the complex relationship between painter Vanessa Bell and her sister, author Virginia Woolf, as well as Vanessa's sexually complicated alliance with gay artist Duncan Grant, played by James Norton. The series also features other key Bloomsbury figures like Lytton Strachey and Maynard Keynes.

  • The story spans from the death of Queen Victoria to the outbreak of World War II.
  • The series premiered in 2015.

The players

James Norton

An English actor known for his roles in Grantchester, Happy Valley, and other acclaimed dramas.

Vanessa Bell

A painter and a central figure in the Bloomsbury group.

Virginia Woolf

An acclaimed author and Vanessa Bell's sister, also part of the Bloomsbury group.

Duncan Grant

A gay artist and member of the Bloomsbury group, portrayed by James Norton in the series.

Amanda Coe

The BAFTA-winning writer who penned the Life in Squares screenplay.

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What they’re saying

“The Bloomsbury group exerts an enduring fascination and Amanda's brilliant scripts deliver an engrossing portrait of a visually gorgeous, emotionally intense world.”

— Lucy Bedford, Executive Producer (goodhousekeeping.com)

“At heart Life In Squares is a family drama, about the families we try to escape, the ones we end up creating, and the different kinds of damage love can do.”

— Lucy Bedford, Executive Producer (goodhousekeeping.com)

What’s next

Fans of James Norton and period dramas can look forward to more of his work, including his role in the Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight's family drama series House of Guinness, available on Netflix.

The takeaway

Life in Squares provides a captivating dramatized look at the pioneering Bloomsbury group, whose radical approach to art, sexuality and personal relationships challenged Victorian social norms and left a lasting impact on British culture.