Stefan Golaszewski, the creator of beloved BBC sitcoms Him & Her and Mum, has turned his attention to baby loss in his latest series, Babies. The show, which stars Siobhán Cullen and Paapa Essiedu as a married couple in their mid-30s, explores the emotional fallout of miscarriage with unflinching realism.
The series follows Lisa and Stephen as they navigate their grief after a recent miscarriage. Unable to share their pain with friends and family, they rely on each other, though Stephen's attempts at comfort—offering a Solero or a trip to feed the ducks—often fall short. The show highlights the 'clumsiness' with which people often handle others' feelings, as one offhand comment can devastate someone already struggling.
Golaszewski drew on his own experience of baby loss to write the script, though he stresses it is not autobiographical. He noted that the subject is rarely discussed on television, partly because 'it's death and death is always hard to talk about,' and partly because it is often medicalised rather than acknowledged as a genuine loss. He also suggested that if miscarriage affected men's bodies, it might hold a more prominent place in society.
For Cullen, the role was eye-opening. She said she had reached her mid-30s without knowing much about miscarriage, and the show gave her 'a massive insight into what so many people around me are now going through.' The series also delves into dysfunctional male friendship, with Stephen's relationship with his schoolmate Dave (Jack Bannon) strained by Dave's inability to confront his own emotions.
Essiedu likened Stephen and Dave's friendship to 'old milk—it's on the turn,' and acknowledged that while he hopes his own male friendships involve more meaningful conversation, banter is still common. Golaszewski's meticulous attention to everyday details—like unloading the dishwasher—alongside the most painful experiences, creates a powerful contrast that has resonated deeply with viewers.
