The second series of Danielle Ward's parenting comedy Daddy Issues has arrived on BBC One, and it's transformed from an uncertain newcomer into a confident, beautifully observed sitcom that delivers both acerbic wit and genuine heart.
From Newborn Struggles to Comedy Maturity
We return to find new mother Gemma, played by Aimee Lou Wood, deep in the exhausting throes of early parenthood. Sleep-deprived and struggling with lactation issues, her challenges are magnified by the arrival of her insufferable mother Davina, now portrayed with glorious delusion by Jill Halfpenny.
Davina's presence brings a fresh wave of chaos to Gemma's Stockport flat, complete with passive-aggressive comments about Gemma's weight and endless reflections on her butcher boyfriend's 'cleaver'. The dynamic between mother and daughter provides some of the series' most biting yet hilarious moments.
David Morrissey's Brilliantly Flawed Father
David Morrissey returns as Gemma's perpetually struggling father Malcolm, who has been booted out of the flat and now resides in a dilapidated bedsit with his 'emotional support dickhead' friend Derek. Malcolm's attempts to be useful include installing 'a cat flap, but for fellas' in the boarded-up front door.
Where the first series sometimes struggled to find its footing, this second outing hits the ground sprinting. The writing has sharpened considerably, with sublime one-liners delivered at a rapid pace while maintaining emotional depth.
A Comedy With Heart and Bite
What makes Daddy Issues truly special is its genuine affection for its characters. Despite their flaws and buffoonery, each character feels complex and believable. The show tackles difficult themes like fractured families and young motherhood without ever feeling like it's trying to Generate Debate®.
Instead, it seamlessly blends love, regret, fear, daftness, and joy with the everyday messes of life - including urinary tract infections and sleep deprivation. The comedy never becomes mawkish, maintaining its sharp edge even during more tender moments.
When Malcolm brings Gemma toast in bed and promises to help 'for ever' with baby Sadie, we see Gemma's face flicker between gratitude, guilt, and the realisation that there are no easy solutions to her situation.
The series also resists the temptation to redeem its truly irredeemable characters, allowing the marginally less hopeless to huddle together for comfort - before inevitably calling the guilty parties dickheads.
Daddy Issues series two is now available on BBC iPlayer, offering a perfect blend of acerbic wit, daftness, and genuine emotional depth that marks it as one of British television's most promising comedies.
