Mum’s not the word when it comes to news on BBC2’s hit, Mum, starring Lesley Manville. BBC2 have confirmed the sitcom is returning for a second run, with filming due to begin next year on a new six-part series.
Starring Lesley Manville as Cathy, Mum followed a year in the life of a recently widowed woman as she got to grips with her grief and new circumstances.
Set solely in Cathy’s home, it explored life after death, as patient Cathy negotiated varying degrees of support and challenges while dealing with her loss. Challenges came in the guise of her changing relationship her grown-up son Jason and behaviours of her close family and friends!
Written by Stefan Golaszewski the comedy series is produced by Big Talk and also stars Peter Mullan, Sam Swainsbury, Lisa McGrillis, Ross Boatman, Dorothy Atkinson, Marlene Sidaway and Karl Johnson.
While series one followed a year in Cathy’s life as she moved on from the death of her husband, there’s a strong possibility series two will see Cathy find love again with life-long friend Michael, played by Trainspotting’s Peter Mullan.
Speaking to What’s on TV about the making of series one of Mum earlier this year, Soldier Solider star Lesley said: “Mum walks a fine line between poignancy and laugh out loud comedy. That’s why I wanted to do it really. I know my forte isn’t ‘here’s the joke - boom, boom!’ I couldn’t do that.
“What I loved about this is it’s a lovely drama about this real family and, every now and again, you get that little laugh, which is more about recognition than a gag.
“Stefan’s writing is so precise and Richard Laxton is a fine director. It wasn’t rushed… it was important we got the moments right, the relationships.”
When asked if she’d be interested in returning for a second series, Lesley joked: “Definitely! You know they might offer it to Meryl Streep!”
The series has been re-commissioned by Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning and BBC Comedy commissioning editor Kate Daughton.
Shane Allen says: “This well-loved and warm-hearted show has been blessed with that rare alchemy of great concept, beautiful writing and terrific cast. Series 2 gives us a more positive Cathy at the core of this world as she moves forward from the lost love of series 1, all laced with deftly drawn characters and comedy sparkle."
