The second series of Danielle Ward's critically acclaimed sitcom Daddy Issues has arrived on BBC One and iPlayer, delivering what many are calling a remarkable evolution for the father-daughter comedy.
From Awkward Beginnings to Confident Comedy
While the first series showed promise with its brilliant acerbic wit, it never quite felt completely comfortable in its own skin. The comedy sometimes leaned too heavily on broad strokes while feeling uneven in other areas, resembling a newborn giraffe struggling to find its footing.
However, the second series represents a significant transformation. Not only has the show found its feet, but it has also hit the ground running with confidence and purpose. The improvement is immediately noticeable from the opening scenes.
A Stellar Cast Bringing Complex Characters to Life
The story continues to follow Gemma, played by Aimee Lou Wood, now navigating the exhausting realities of single motherhood. Early scenes find her dealing with postnatal challenges, including the physical aftermath of a C-section and lactation woes, all while wearing her signature distressed leather jacket.
Her workplace interactions provide some of the series' sharpest comedy, particularly with her boss Rita, played by Sarah Hadland, whose inappropriate questions about Gemma's "downstairs" recovery are met with weary resignation.
The family dynamic becomes even more complicated with the arrival of Gemma's mother Davina, now portrayed by Jill Halfpenny after previously being played by Susan Lynch. Davina operates in what can only be described as a "mushroom cloud of delusion," offering unsolicited advice about everything from nappies to Gemma's weight while moving her butcher boyfriend into the flat.
David Morrissey Steals Scenes as Hapless Father
David Morrissey returns as Gemma's father Malcolm, a perpetually deflating character who panics as new problems emerge before he's solved the existing ones. After being kicked out of Gemma's flat in the first series, Malcolm has returned to the dilapidated bedsit of his friend Derek, described as an "emotional support dickhead."
Malcolm's attempts to be useful include installing a flap in the bedsit's boarded-up front door, which he describes as "like a cat flap, but for fellas." This combination of daftness and genuine effort to connect creates some of the series' most touching moments.
What sets Daddy Issues apart is its genuine affection for its characters. Despite their flaws and buffoonery, each character feels complex and believable. The show manages to tackle difficult themes like fractured families and young motherhood without feeling like it's simply trying to Generate Debate® or #make_u_think.
Instead, it seamlessly blends love, regret, fear, joy, boredom, and even urinary tract infections into the narrative, creating an authentic portrayal of life's everyday messes.
No Easy Redemption Arcs Here
The series refuses to take the easy way out with character development. When Derek, whose seething misogyny would typically be dialled down in lesser comedies, appears poised for a redemption arc in episode two, any progress is quickly extinguished.
In Daddy Issues, the irredeemable remain irredeemable, allowing the marginally less hopeless characters to find comfort in their relative moral superiority before inevitably calling the guilty parties "dickheads."
The series concludes with Gemma inviting Malcolm back into her life, ushering viewers into a future filled with love, doubt, and those peculiar cat flaps for fellas. As the final shot captures Gemma's face flickering between gratitude, guilt, and the realisation that there are no easy solutions to her situation, viewers are left with a poignant reminder of the show's emotional depth.
Daddy Issues series two is currently available on BBC iPlayer, offering a perfect blend of sublime one-liners, acerbic wit, and genuine heart that makes it essential viewing for comedy fans.
