I feel like it’s a rite of passage for every parent – particularly mums – to watch the Motherland sitcom. Seriously.
Whether you’re in need of a good laugh, a good cry or a brutally honest take on motherhood, the Motherland sitcom is for you. I discovered it when I was on maternity leave, just a few short weeks after having my first child at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and boy, oh, boy did I need it. From the moment I struggled to breastfeed, argued with my partner over night feeds and dealt with colic, I was oh so aware that motherhood was far from perfect. But no TV show, film or story had ever been so brilliant at capturing the hysterical struggle parents face every single day.
From forgetting half term dates to throwing together last minute parties, from dealing with lack of childcare and trying to pursue a career, the Motherland sitcom covers it all in a hilariously accurate way.
Motherland sitcom – what’s the deal?
The series actually first aired in 2016 but I had never even heard of it – probably because I wasn’t a mum. I found it on a whim on BBC iPlayer in 2020, and the series is now available on Netflix too. Whilst the show focuses specifically on what it calls ‘middle-class motherhood’, anyone with a child will relate to the struggles of the four main characters; Julia, a working mum with no childcare, Amanda, a pretentious trophy wife whose life isn’t as picture perfect as it seems, Liz who is a working-class, single mum and Kevin, a stay-at-home dad who is just so into looking after his kids.
As the show develops, we are introduced to more and more characters and follow along as their lives intertwine. We see personal development of each of the characters, as well as the way their relationships change with each other. My favourite part is the minimal focus on the children – this truly is all about parenting, before the actual children even come into it.
Laugh, cry and scream at the storylines
I felt all the feelings when I was binging this series. Seriously. If you’re not laughing at snobby Amanda, you’re crying as you relate to Julia’s work crisis’, or screaming at her frustrating conversations with her husband, who is always absent!
You might relate to Kevin, as a stay at home parent involved in the making of costumes and throwing of parties.
You might relate to Anne, a little bit anxious and eager to please.
Maybe you’ll relate to Liz, practical and handy in a crisis with a love of wine.
Whoever it is you relate to most, you’re bound to love all the characters, flaws and all – and the reality is, we’re probably a bit like all of them at some point or another.
So what makes this show so great?
I mean, I really think the show is a brilliant example of modern-day motherhood, no matter your walk of life.
The humour is excellent, the storylines are sometimes uncomfortably close to home and the show serves as an important reminder that actually, motherhood is bloody tough, and it’s never as easy as anyone makes it look. Whether you’re struggling with a work-life balance, relationships, or parenting in general, you’re struggling with something. The Motherland sitcom encapsulates that perfectly!
If you’re looking for a new show to watch, I can’t recommend Motherland enough! Let me know if you give it a go.
Love from,
Florence Grace
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