'Brilliant' or 'so boring'? BBC's 'heartbreaking' drama Babies sparks sharp divide
Some viewers have complained about Babies being 'too slow'
Babies premiered on BBC One last night. Everyone appears to agree that it’s “heartbreaking” – but whether or not it’s actually good is another question altogether.
The new series, created by Stefan Golaszewski (Him & Her, Marriage), follows Lisa (Siobhán Cullen) and Stephen (Paapa Essiedu).
They’re a couple in their 30s who want to have a baby together. Unfortunately, they’re plagued by pregnancy loss, and they struggle to navigate grief and everyday life – especially when they have to deal with Dave (Jack Bannon), Stephen’s obnoxious best friend, and his oblivious girlfriend, Amanda (Charlotte Riley).
Not unlike Marriage, Babies is a slow-burn drama full of pensive silences and awkward laughs. So, it’s not surprising that it’s not been unanimously well-received.
Viewers react to BBC’s ‘moving’ Babies
Following the premiere of the first episode last night (March 30), viewers have been quick to express their opinions online – with some even deciding to binge all of Babies on iPlayer.
“I binge-watched this last night, it’s amazing… it portrayed the struggles of miscarriage and how you feel afterwards when it’s dismissed. Brilliant actors playing the part too,” one user commented on Facebook.
“Watched it all, very moving, really enjoyed it,” another wrote. “Watched first episode last night, it was heartbreaking,” a third added.
“Binged all 6, absolutely brilliant,” another commented. “Just watched it all. Very emotional but so very real. Absolutely loved it,” a fifth wrote.
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“I think [the] whole idea of it is so people have more understanding and empathy towards those who have suffered baby loss… some of the comments I’ve read on here, it obviously hasn’t worked,” another viewer argued.
They’re not wrong regarding Babies’ intent. Speaking to the BBC, Essiedu said: “If it makes one person able to talk about pregnancy loss when they previously couldn’t, I think the show will have been a success.”
Babies criticised for being too ‘slow’ and ‘boring’
Anybody familiar with Golaszewski’s work (particularly Marriage – who can forget the baked potato argument?) should have been prepared for Babies.
However, some viewers simply didn’t like its pace or dialogue, calling it “stilted” and “slow”.
“I really thought it was very slow and boring,” one user complained. “It’s far too slow and didn’t enjoy it at all,” another wrote.
“Sorry I thought it was the biggest load of crap ever, definitely won’t be watching the other 5 episodes,” a third commented.
“With the state of the world today I wish they would show a few more lighthearted things on TV,” a fourth viewer added.
In our review of Babies, we called it an “onslaught of grief and awkward conversations… but it’s also remarkably tender, and one of the best BBC dramas this year”.
If you’ve already binged all six episodes, you can check out our breakdown of Babies’ ending.
Read more: Babies cast includes Tom Hardy’s movie star wife and Harry Potter’s new Severus Snape
