BBC Drama Babies Tackles Taboo of Pregnancy Loss with Raw Emotion
A timely new BBC drama, Babies, is set to premiere, exploring the often-hidden grief and escalating longing associated with pregnancy loss. The six-part series, written by Bafta-winning Stefan Golaszewski, follows a couple in their mid-thirties as they confront the devastating reality of recurrent miscarriages, tapping into deep cultural anxieties around fertility and modern parenthood.
Chemistry Tested Through Conflict
Actors Paapa Essiedu, 35, and Siobhán Cullen, 36, underwent an unconventional chemistry test for their roles as Stephen and Lisa. Instead of a romantic scene, they performed a prolonged, intense argument. "It was this big and long, quite horrible argument – and that’s how they wanted to see how well we got on," Essiedu reveals. Cullen adds that the scene captures the nuanced dynamics of a couple in crisis, where love tempers the blows exchanged during disputes.
Reflecting Real-World Fertility Anxieties
The drama resonates with contemporary concerns as birth rates in England, Scotland, and Wales hit record lows in 2024, continuing a decline since 2010. Many women are delaying childbirth, facing biological pressures that clash with societal timelines. Babies portrays this struggle authentically, showing hope repeatedly dashed by negative pregnancy tests or ominous physical symptoms.
Naturalistic Storytelling and Performances
Golaszewski's signature naturalistic style ensures the series feels raw and unvarnished, avoiding both sanitisation and over-dramatisation of miscarriage. Essiedu and Cullen bring a wry humour and palpable intimacy to their roles, even in the darkest moments. "They’re going through this awful thing but it’s still about the day to day," Cullen notes, highlighting mundane details like making tea that ground the narrative in reality.
Breaking the Silence on Pregnancy Loss
Pregnancy loss affects roughly one in four women, yet it remains a taboo subject rarely depicted on screen with such focus. The series dedicates entire episodes to this experience, rather than relegating it to a subplot. Cullen shares, "To my shame, being the age that I am, and being a woman, I still learnt so much from this job," emphasising the educational value of the project. The actors conducted extensive research, including consulting midwives and consuming relevant media, to portray the topic with sensitivity.
Coping Mechanisms and Emotional Realities
Stephen and Lisa cope in divergent ways: Stephen clings to stubborn optimism inherited from his father, while Lisa grows frustrated with platitudes like "think positive." The show avoids moral judgments, presenting both perspectives as valid responses to an insurmountable challenge. Essiedu explains, "There’s no right or wrong because this is something unprecedented. Everyone is doing their best to cope."
Cultural Context and Broader Conversations
Babies joins a growing body of work addressing pregnancy loss, such as Rachel Weisz's Dead Ringers and Luke Norris's play Guess How Much I Love You. The drama aims to foster open dialogue, with Cullen observing that discussing the project often invites others to share personal stories. "That’s all it takes, just bringing it into a conversation and into people’s living rooms on the BBC," she says, hoping for a ripple effect of awareness.
Modern Masculinity and Future Impact
Stephen's emotional openness reflects evolving notions of masculinity, challenging traditional stoicism. Essiedu sees this as progress, potentially influencing future fatherhood norms. "This feels like an extension of that progress and shows what is possible for men," he remarks, linking the character's vulnerability to broader societal shifts.
All episodes of Babies will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am on Monday 30 March, with the series airing on BBC One at 9pm that night, offering a poignant exploration of loss and resilience.
