Julie Walters to narrate series revolving around the terminally ill and their last goodbyes

Chalkboard, the London-based independent production company, has announced its four-part documentary series based on the farewell messages of people approaching the end of life.

“I’d like to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of the contributors who’ve worked on this programme over the last few years for sharing their lives with us over this most challenging of times. They have, together with Chalkboard, produced a really important piece of television that is a brave, bold, moving, funny, sad, uplifting celebration of life and the importance of memory.” – Adam MacDonald, director of Sky One

My Wonderful Life was originally commissioned by Sky in 2015 and has been produced over a two-year period, is thought to be the first to focus on the emotionally charged ‘legacy’ aspect of terminal illness. The four-part series will let people with life-limiting conditions record messages and arrange gifts and surprises for the people they love, which are delivered after they’ve gone. The show will be narrated by the acclaimed British actress Julie Walters.

Dying Matters, a coalition of organisations that encourage people to talk about dying, death and bereavement, gave feedback on the production in its early stages.

“Despite some welcome progress, as a society we still find it difficult to talk openly about dying, death and bereavement, and many of us are failing to share our end-of-life wishes with our loved ones. That’s why we think programmes such as My Wonderful Life are important. They have the potential to demystify dying and show people how important it is to discuss end of life issues before it’s too late. We are looking forward to seeing the finished series, and hope it starts lots of the conversations we all need to have.” – Toby Scott, Head of Communications for Dying Matters

My Wonderful Life premieres on Sky One & NOW TV on Thursday 15th February at 9pm.