Don't understand the negative reviews.
I don't usually watch anything BBC but this show is unmissable and Diane Morgan is a joy to watch.
75 Reviews
Absolutely Fantastic
iloveair19 October 2019
Terrific!
matildenunemn26 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Julia is a relatable, slightly neurotic working mom, whose annoying mother has suddenly quit looking after her kids. She'll have to face motherhood all by herself, and learn to deal with a number of hilarious challenges, such as pretensious full time moms or ridiculous school events.
This show is comedy gold. Anna Maxwell Martin's facial expressions and occasional nervous breakdowns are priceless. I honestly lost it at the "Bop It" scene in the pilot, and have kept laughing steadily throughout the entire series. Every character is incredibly funny and well written, and the accents just make it all better (I'm not from the UK, so I'm biased though). Although there is a storyline, each episode tells a different story, so it's even more entertaing and it never gets boring. To sum up, one of the best comedy series I've watched in a while, looking forward to the next season!
This show is comedy gold. Anna Maxwell Martin's facial expressions and occasional nervous breakdowns are priceless. I honestly lost it at the "Bop It" scene in the pilot, and have kept laughing steadily throughout the entire series. Every character is incredibly funny and well written, and the accents just make it all better (I'm not from the UK, so I'm biased though). Although there is a storyline, each episode tells a different story, so it's even more entertaing and it never gets boring. To sum up, one of the best comedy series I've watched in a while, looking forward to the next season!
I Couldn't Breathe !
crazyface-890-4928342 November 2017
After watching this, I thought I'd search around for reviews, I couldn't believe what I was reading in parts. Do people not want to be entertained anymore? This was the FUNNIEST thing the BBC have put out in YEARS!!!! And about time too. There were times I couldn't breathe for laughing and there hasn't been a comedy that has made me like this for a very long time. Ignore any pretentious reviewers who think they know it all this is FUNNY.It's going to be a tough ask to be able to write a series as good as the pilot but as long as the writers are given enough time this could turn out to be a real winner!!! Please God let this be so, as I'm sick to death of flicking though the channels to see only reality rubbish.
Best Show I've seen in Ages.
destiny_west27 December 2022
After seeing a quick clip of Motherland on Facebook, I knew I had to watch it immediately. I then binge watched all three seasons in 2 days. I probably could have done it quicker, but I was trying to be sensible and it was Christmas.
What can I say? This is one of the funniest series I have watched. Personally I could completely identify with the 'friends circle' because I was always one of the 'outcast' mums.
It sums up that school scene perfectly.
The acting was all great and there was not one single boring episode.
I truly hope this comes back for a season 4. I definitely need more of it, as I am sure you will agree with once you have watched the series.
What can I say? This is one of the funniest series I have watched. Personally I could completely identify with the 'friends circle' because I was always one of the 'outcast' mums.
It sums up that school scene perfectly.
The acting was all great and there was not one single boring episode.
I truly hope this comes back for a season 4. I definitely need more of it, as I am sure you will agree with once you have watched the series.
Best of the best!
Linmalut25 July 2020
I didn't know what to expect from this comedy and was pleasantly surprised, it exceeds any expectations! It's brilliant, so so funny, I was crying from laughter watching it. Uplifting hilarious series, absolutely fantastic!
Genuinely funny comedy.
chriscockerham13 September 2016
Came across this rather by accident when flicking through the television for something to watch, and gave it a chance.
Motherland was far more funny than the vast majority of shows around at the moment. Far better than the toilet humour of many panel shows and the repetitive and predictable gags of sitcoms like Big Bang Theory and devoid of the cringe inducing snippets of canned laughter which nowadays run alongside weak comedies to make viewers think it is funny.
Motherland knew what sort of show it wanted to be and the story it wanted to tell, and didn't deviate throughout the pilot episode. The episode was full of humour throughout and enough drama to keep the story going and feeling fresh, and didn't have to rely on the old humour fallback of "child says something funny" clichéd trope, popularised by things such as Kids Say the Darndest Things and use effectively in Outnumbered, but the world does not need another Outnumbered.
Motherland was a raw, entertaining and an ultimately funny TV show, which I am looking forward to watching more of. It would be a real shame if the show isn't taken on for further filming.
Motherland was far more funny than the vast majority of shows around at the moment. Far better than the toilet humour of many panel shows and the repetitive and predictable gags of sitcoms like Big Bang Theory and devoid of the cringe inducing snippets of canned laughter which nowadays run alongside weak comedies to make viewers think it is funny.
Motherland knew what sort of show it wanted to be and the story it wanted to tell, and didn't deviate throughout the pilot episode. The episode was full of humour throughout and enough drama to keep the story going and feeling fresh, and didn't have to rely on the old humour fallback of "child says something funny" clichéd trope, popularised by things such as Kids Say the Darndest Things and use effectively in Outnumbered, but the world does not need another Outnumbered.
Motherland was a raw, entertaining and an ultimately funny TV show, which I am looking forward to watching more of. It would be a real shame if the show isn't taken on for further filming.
It wasn't bad, Anna Maxwell Martin a joy as always.
Sleepin_Dragon7 September 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Julia is a woman on the edge, struggling to balance the work/parenting balance. Very much committed to her job in corporate events, she finds little time for being a mum. Julia has a lot on at work, forgetting it's half term, she's lumbered with her kids, and soon after lots of other people's too.
Anna Maxwell Martin is one of those actresses you can't help but love, often cast as the normal, nice character, it was fun to see her cast as a neurotic mum for a change, her meltdown was hilarious. Paul Ready was funny, and Lucy Punch added a great deal of her special sarcasm.
As a one off comedy I thought it was good, very well acted, it had a few laughs, not too sure I see a great deal of longevity here, but it was a pleasing thirty minutes. Trouble is, when you see the words Graham Linehan you expect the Earth. 6/10
Anna Maxwell Martin is one of those actresses you can't help but love, often cast as the normal, nice character, it was fun to see her cast as a neurotic mum for a change, her meltdown was hilarious. Paul Ready was funny, and Lucy Punch added a great deal of her special sarcasm.
As a one off comedy I thought it was good, very well acted, it had a few laughs, not too sure I see a great deal of longevity here, but it was a pleasing thirty minutes. Trouble is, when you see the words Graham Linehan you expect the Earth. 6/10
Brilliant writing
loukemp-7111724 November 2020
The funny lines come thick and fast from all the characters. Now that it's being rerun on Netflix/ iPlayer I could use subtitles to make sure I didn't miss anything! Anna Maxwell Martin is outstanding (as per usual) as Julia but I also began to appreciate the other actors and the script watching the second time round .
Love it. Roll on Series 3 in 2021. 😂
There are also rumours of a Christmas Special next month !! After lockdown we need you Motherland !
The Independent hates it
spikemangoeswoof30 December 2021
The Independent says: "Motherland has so far wasted a real opportunity to challenge social norms and provide inclusive, intersectional representations of parenthood"
So I like it already! It might get even more stars when I've watched it.
So I like it already! It might get even more stars when I've watched it.
Very very funny and real
Katiousha5 July 2017
I don't know why I never heard about this series. It is certainly the funniest pilot I have seen in a long time. Absolutely hilarious and fresh and real unlike clichéd Hollywood motherhood depictions. At least most mothers I know would surely identify. Really disappointing that there is only this one episode --looking forward to more.
Not as funny as it thinks it is
mckaymalcolm5 April 2021
Just finished the first season. It passed the time and there were some humorous moments, but not enough to inspire me to watch a second season.
It's also extremely repetitive, and I know that's the life of a busy mum - but all it's doing is padding out a relatively weak script.
I will say that the person playing the main character is a terrific actor and probably the main reason I stuck with it.
I read someone's review as this having filled their Peep Show hole. This show, although not the worst, could not hold a candle to Peep Show and bears no similarity that I can see.
It's also extremely repetitive, and I know that's the life of a busy mum - but all it's doing is padding out a relatively weak script.
I will say that the person playing the main character is a terrific actor and probably the main reason I stuck with it.
I read someone's review as this having filled their Peep Show hole. This show, although not the worst, could not hold a candle to Peep Show and bears no similarity that I can see.
Relatable but annoying characters
Shana121212 May 2021
Brilliantly Funny - The Lot So Far
martimusross11 October 2019
Motherland Series 2
This really stepped up from series one, more anarchic, more farcical and tons more adult.
The script was tight and brilliantly interpreted by the whole ensemble. It treads the line of comedy and pathos quite brilliantly, my favourite thing is Julia's relationship with her mother.
This is really one of the best examples of modern British comedy that examines the anxieties of the snowflake millennial metropolitan bourgeoise. The one thing I hate about modern life and this comedy demonstrates this to a tee is the amount of guilt we all heap on ourselves.
Motherland - Series 3
Really great, this more than stepped up to the plate, it is so refreshing for a comedy to totally step over nearly every boundary and be so un-PC in a world where everyone is increasingly frightened of saying anything.
It was really a brilliant script brilliantly acted by the entire ensemble. However the scripts are far more serious and starting to introduce more touchy-feely emotional elements that are definitely not required. It is also exhausting to have near hysteria quite a part of the time.
Next a school skiing trip, exams, a calendar to raise money, cake break with food poisoning, looking after school pets in the break, school fashion show etc etc rather than mistaking hormone replacement patch with stopping smoking.
Lastly this show must be very very careful that the championing of women is not achieved by demonising or objectifying men. I sense that overtone.
Overall I loved it 10 out of 10.
This really stepped up from series one, more anarchic, more farcical and tons more adult.
The script was tight and brilliantly interpreted by the whole ensemble. It treads the line of comedy and pathos quite brilliantly, my favourite thing is Julia's relationship with her mother.
This is really one of the best examples of modern British comedy that examines the anxieties of the snowflake millennial metropolitan bourgeoise. The one thing I hate about modern life and this comedy demonstrates this to a tee is the amount of guilt we all heap on ourselves.
Motherland - Series 3
Really great, this more than stepped up to the plate, it is so refreshing for a comedy to totally step over nearly every boundary and be so un-PC in a world where everyone is increasingly frightened of saying anything.
It was really a brilliant script brilliantly acted by the entire ensemble. However the scripts are far more serious and starting to introduce more touchy-feely emotional elements that are definitely not required. It is also exhausting to have near hysteria quite a part of the time.
Next a school skiing trip, exams, a calendar to raise money, cake break with food poisoning, looking after school pets in the break, school fashion show etc etc rather than mistaking hormone replacement patch with stopping smoking.
Lastly this show must be very very careful that the championing of women is not achieved by demonising or objectifying men. I sense that overtone.
Overall I loved it 10 out of 10.
Brilliant.
harmonybigland17 July 2020
I was losing hope of finding something to really make me laugh since I binge-watched This Country. I like documentaries as well as comedies and that's all I could find to watch. But most of those at the moment follow pretty depressing themes and there's only so many you can take before you need some light relief. So I kept flicking through and trying to find a decent comedy I hadn't seen yet. None were really engaging me until I begrudgingly gave Motherland a try. I laughed out loud - alot- at the honest, good old British humour. Classic and fresh at the same time. I'm 45 now but it still rings true of life when I was a young mother, many moons ago. I'm currently sitting up at three in the morning, trying to stave off sleep, watching series one, episode five, as I've become addicted to it. I'm trying not to wake my partner with my laughter in the process. Definitely worth a watch. I believe it's written by Sharon Horgan which makes total sense.
A window into my soul!
lindsey-1960120 January 2021
They're all horrible!
telbel4919 May 2021
I watched the first episode and thought, that woman is horrible. I've watch almost every episode now and I think they're ALL horrible, but I absolutely love it. It's hilarious. It reminds you that people never really grow up or change.
Kids play
Prismark1011 September 2016
Anna Maxwell Martin plays a frazzled mother working in corporate events and trying to achieve a work/life balance. It is not going well she brings her kids to school during the school holidays and instead of telling the truth she tells the teacher some lies about her kids being bullied which leads to embarrassment.
The writers, which include Graham Linehan and Sharon Horgan got one thing right. Maxwell's front seat of the car was filthy. A kind of seat that only exists if you have kids. The interior reminded me of my wife's car.
Lucy Punch plays the insincere even manipulative Alpha mum, leader of a clique that is rich and judgmental. Yet people want to be in her group of suburban mums including the sole stay at home dad we see looking after the kids.
Martin needs people to look after her kids, her mother is refusing to any more free baby sitting. She meets Diana Morgan, working class but cool under pressure like when she chops off her finger.
This pilot started of shakily as Martin spins lies about coming to school during the term time holiday rather than admit she forgot it was the holidays but it improves as it goes along and Morgan was the star of the show. Motherland really did manage to mix slapstick, comedy of manners, frustrated pent up humour and even visual gags.
The writers, which include Graham Linehan and Sharon Horgan got one thing right. Maxwell's front seat of the car was filthy. A kind of seat that only exists if you have kids. The interior reminded me of my wife's car.
Lucy Punch plays the insincere even manipulative Alpha mum, leader of a clique that is rich and judgmental. Yet people want to be in her group of suburban mums including the sole stay at home dad we see looking after the kids.
Martin needs people to look after her kids, her mother is refusing to any more free baby sitting. She meets Diana Morgan, working class but cool under pressure like when she chops off her finger.
This pilot started of shakily as Martin spins lies about coming to school during the term time holiday rather than admit she forgot it was the holidays but it improves as it goes along and Morgan was the star of the show. Motherland really did manage to mix slapstick, comedy of manners, frustrated pent up humour and even visual gags.
Brilliant
goldenrobkill17 November 2017
This is one of the funniest series i've seen since Peep show stopped airing. The characters are all hilarious, there is never a time where i'm disappointed when we have to be with a specific character other than the bitching from the over worked moms which comes out as angsty hilarity, your chest tightens with the darkness of the humour and the expectation of the dreadful thing they're going to say; Julia is hard nosed, selfish. Liz is sarky single mom who's had a hard life, and Kevin is a cringing, lovable, pushover, which emphasise the reality of school mom's. all the side characters are equally fleshed out and have there own awful personalities, but you understand where they come from, the sarcy backhanded comments remind you of my own experience as a child.
Predictable
prylands-389-56748029 May 2021
This affords a few laughs and it is quite watchable but it is very predictable and full of cliches. It will have a mumsy following of course but I tired of it pretty quickly.
Ity contains some truisms but ultimately it is not realistic. Robotic characters and tropes you can see coming a mile off.
Ity contains some truisms but ultimately it is not realistic. Robotic characters and tropes you can see coming a mile off.
Really funny
staciarose2026 June 2021
Hilarious but with a problem...
chelseapk3 June 2021
Look. This show is funny. Really really funny. But, as a new mum, seeing all these rail thin women run around pretending they're the typical mum is not just frustratingly unrealistic, it's damaging. Between laughs, more often than not, I catch myself thinking "what can I do to be thin like that?" Frankly, I'm tired of television shows not challenging our problematic beauty ideals, and continuing to promote unrealistic (for many) standards. This is particularly important when it comes to mums, whose bodies have often changed significantly, leaving us to come to terms with our new shapes. Do better, Motherland.
Not for me.
jackVSjack18 September 2018
Different and I can see the angle they are playing for. Just comes across as 30 minutes of depressing cheap shots at the modern middle class Londoner with their supposed first world problems and subjectively deluded privilege. A farce filled thrashing of which I didn't laugh once. Ugly, scornful and a simplistic and grotesque generalisation.
Something like Outnumbered has whimsical charm as it pokes fun at its characters. This feels more disdainful than playful gybing.
Something like Outnumbered has whimsical charm as it pokes fun at its characters. This feels more disdainful than playful gybing.
Funny
dannytpetty11 May 2021
Top of the class
peterrichboy27 November 2017
With a couple of power house writers like Sharon Horgan and Graham Linham on board then you expect Motherland to be good and I'm pleased to report it's every bit as good as there previous work. I'm guessing the writers have based the material on there own experiences bringing up young kids, trying to juggle jobs between the school run and a lazy ex husband and a mother who would rather be socialising than looking after her gran kids. Anna Maxwell Smith is terrific as the frustrated mother who seems permanently on the point of a nervous breakdown and Diane Morgan is very funny as The worldly wise mother who knows every trick in the book when it comes to parenting on the cheap and who to avoid and befriend in the world of Motherhood!
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
