Stefan Golaszewski, the acclaimed creator behind hit BBC sitcoms like Him & Her and Mum, delves into the profound subject of baby loss in his newest drama, Babies. Drawing on personal experiences, Golaszewski not only penned the script but also composed and performed the series’ theme tune. When asked if he’ll ever grow weary of depicting mundane daily tasks, Golaszewski admits it’s “possible,” but for now, his signature style of meticulous social realism is as sharp as ever.
In Babies, the routine elements of everyday life – from swapping out hand soap to casual kitchen snacking or the ubiquitous act of emptying a dishwasher – are presented with the same detailed attention as the series’ most emotionally devastating moments. Sticking to his straightforward titling approach, Babies features Siobhán Cullen and Paapa Essiedu as Lisa and Stephen, a married couple in their mid-thirties.
The story opens with the couple on their way to a family gathering. Upon arrival, Lisa finds herself unable to face Stephen’s relatives for more than a fleeting moment, specifically triggered by his cousin’s new baby, prompting her to leave the pub quickly. It soon becomes apparent that Lisa and Stephen have recently endured their first miscarriage. With their profound grief and heartache largely unshared with friends and family, they are left to navigate this devastating experience largely on their own. Stephen’s efforts to console Lisa, such as offering a Solero ice cream or suggesting a duck-feeding outing, highlight the awkwardness and inadequacy often surrounding such sensitive topics. The series unflinchingly explores the raw terror and cruelty of infant loss, but equally unsettling is its depiction of society’s broader inability to confront and adequately address this widespread tragedy.