Daddy Issues

(Reviewed after watching the first episode.)

Bravo BBC for making an actual comedy, rather than something that thinks it is a comedy but is not actually funny.

There are some nice lines here. I especially liked the one about Argos vouchers.

Getting David Morrissey on board as the dad is a good sign. Being the only person not to have watched Sex Education (2019-2023), I'm not familiar with Aimee Lou Wood, but she also seems like a real catch. (Perhaps she looks a little bit too comedic, but she does resist the urge to ham things up.)

It's clear a lot of thought has gone into the scripts and the performances. I'm looking forward to watching the rest of the series.

Two episodes in I wasn't sure why the newspaper I read gave it such a rave review. But, even the slow start gave some funny moments. Gemma finds out she is pregnant right at the start just as her dad is trying to recover from a very messy split from her mother. Everything start to progress when he moves in with Gemma. I really found some of the characters a little unlikeable at the beginning but even this improved each episode. Aimee Lou Wood, who I didn't really care for in the dreadful 'Seize Them' plays Gemma with a combination of biting humour and sweetness. Most of the other main characters do become more lovable but I struggled with David Morrisey as Dad (Malcolm.) He has clearly been totally emasculated by his wife but his man-child persona grates at times and I thought he became a little unbelievable, even at the end of the final episode. That said, other moments of his character are really quite funny. Do give it at least three episodes before judging it.

Aimee Lou Wood is new to me, but so impressed. A very engaging, natural actor who the camera seems to love. A UK Jenna Ortega even? Fresh presence, who I could also see being deeply effective in a heavy tv drama.

Have enjoyed David Morrissey for decades and will be intriguing to see how his weak/wet father character develops.

Hoping this show maintains the fresh approach and sharp splashes of wit ("Argos vouchers" etc).

Could be a great year for BBC comedy, who have already blessed us with inspired female roles and writing, allowing them free reign. I'd also recommend Such Bad Girls. Well observed and arrived fully-formed. Inspired slapstick and clever throwaway lines, while not shying away from mental issues with a deft / realistic touch.

A solid first episode, with 2 unusually strong, individual leads. Hoping the show continues not taking the obvious routes and flushing out support roles.

This actually made me giggle, which is quite a rare thing these days. BBC has pumped out lots of garbage since 2020, but this was a good mix of sweet and funny. I did not expect to enjoy this in the slightest, but I was pleasantly surprised. The main characters are great actors - it was good to see some familiar faces in the casting, and the storyline was very simple but still interesting. It's also nice to see a father-daughter storyline. I really hope this gets another season. Will definitely be watching again.

Well played BBC. You definitely got this one right! I look forward to next season.

With two great actors leading the line up in David Morrisey and Aimee-Lou, a fantastic pairing, who brought this comedy to life. The straight up one liners, contrasted by a great cast throughout the scenes within the show, really took this show to another level.

The writing, acting and direction of the show, all came together to bring together a hapless young person, who is following a certain energy, to becoming a young mum, whilst her dad evolves and becomes a true dad and grandfather, after a poor marriage.

A great series and glad to have watched this. A great show, worth watching! Ignore the other reviews.