This Life (2015)

In the vibrant heart of Montreal unfolds the stirring saga of This Life, a vivid portrait of Natalie Lawson - a seasoned lifestyle columnist, single mother of three and the linchpin of her dynamic family. This ordinary family's world is abruptly capsized when Natalie, a woman in her early forties, is confronted with a terminal cancer diagnosis. Natalie's children - Caleb, a young man grappling with his identity, Emma, a self-absorbed teenager, and Romy, a bright but anxiety-ridden child - each navigate their own unique struggles. David Crowley, their absent father, is a distant memory, particularly for Romy who doesn't even remember him. Natalie's siblings - the methodical surgeon Matthew, the gay artist Oliver, and the unpredictable Maggie - often seek refuge in her stability amidst their personal crises. Their parents, Gerald and Janine, maintain a strained relationship with their children, due in part to Janine's unyielding Catholic beliefs. The family's equilibrium is shattered when Natalie's cancer, once dormant, reemerges with a vengeance. As Natalie grapples with her mortality, her role as the family's rock must inevitably shift. She must learn to lean on them for emotional support, a transition that proves easier said than done. Amidst this upheaval, Natalie must also confront the possibility of love, and the question of how fiercely she should fight for the remnants of her life. This Life is an honest and heartfelt series that explores the raw emotions of a family forced to confront the absurdity of life and the repercussions of their choices, big and small. The Lawson family's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, a poignant reminder that life, with all its unpredictability, must be embraced passionately and fearlessly.

This Life is a drama show featuring Julia Scarlett Dan and created by Joseph Kay.

This Life is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on The Roku Channel.