BBC issues warning before 'upsetting' Babies after reviews hail 'powerful' drama
The "gut-wrenching" series could be too much for some people
Babies, the “upsetting” new drama from the creator of Him & Her, starts tonight – and it comes with an important warning on BBC iPlayer.
You may not know Stefan Golaszewski by name, but there’s a good chance you’ve seen his work. Whether it’s Him & Her, Mum, or the underrated Marriage, he has a knack for painfully well-observed comedy and drama.
For Babies, his new six-part series available on iPlayer ahead of its BBC One premiere, he has tapped the talents of The Capture star Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen. You’ll recognise a few other faces in the Babies cast, too.
However, there is something you should know. It’s an emotionally gruelling show, and its subject matter may be too much for some viewers.
What is Babies about?
Babies follows Lisa (Cullen) and Stephen (Essiedu), a couple in their 30s trying to have a baby together.
It opens with them dealing with the grief from a miscarriage, and the series goes to (necessary) uncomfortable lengths to illustrate the complicated, messy trauma of pregnancy loss.
The show also follows Dave (Jack Bannon), Stephen’s best friend, who’s a clueless, often obnoxious father-of-one, and his girlfriend Amanda (Charlotte Riley).
In our review of Babies, we noted that while it forces you to endure an “onslaught of grief and awkward conversations… it’s also remarkably tender, and one of the best BBC dramas this year”.
Don't miss a single story! Add us as a Preferred Source in Google for all your television news
Speaking to the BBC, Essiedu acknowledged it could be a difficult watch. But, “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.”
From Golaszewski’s perspective, he hopes the show will “create a space where people can feel less alone”.
“I was aware of the good and positivity that can come from opening up about this subject matter that’s so difficult to talk about,” he said.
BBC issues disclaimer before you watch ‘upsetting’ Babies
If you log onto BBC iPlayer and search for Babies, each episode comes with a disclaimer. Each episode has strong language and “some upsetting scenes”, but more importantly, it warns viewers that it deals with pregnancy loss.
“Information and support for some of the issues covered in our programmes can be found at bbc.co.uk/actionline,” it adds.
The website provides links to groups (like the Miscarriage Association and Sands) and phone numbers people can call if they’re affected by the programme.
Critics have widely praised the series, many of whom have also noted its tough, emotionally taxing content.
“It’s one of the most gut-wrenching and honest portrayals of baby loss that I’ve ever seen,” TechRadar wrote. The Irish Independent also warned it “will be difficult viewing for any woman who’s tragically lost a child”.
Read more: The best BBC dramas you can watch on iPlayer now
