Daddy Issues returning to BBC Three for Series 2
- The BBC has ordered six more episodes of pregnancy sitcom Daddy Issues, with Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey reprising their roles as Gemma and her hapless father Malcolm
- The second series of the Stockport-set comedy finds them facing up to parenthood after Gemma gave birth to baby Sadie
- Writer Danielle Ward said: "I'm thrilled to be writing for Aimee and David and the rest of this fabulous cast again. I love the Moscrips and can't wait to crack on with their continuing adventures"
Daddy Issues ended less than a month ago but the BBC has already commissioned a second series.
Starring Aimee Lou Wood as Gemma and David Morrissey as her father Malcolm, six more 30-minute episodes of the sitcom about a pregnant young woman have been ordered for BBC Three, once again written by former stand-up Danielle Ward.
Based on seven-day figures, the Stockport-set series became BBC Three's biggest comedy launch since 2022 when it aired in August, chronicling dating disasters, failed romances, toxic friendships and messy family dynamics as father and daughter face up to parenthood.
"Daddy Issues is the most fun I've ever had on a job and I can't wait to do it again!" said Wood. The Sex Education star added: "I'm so excited to see what Danielle has cooking for Malcolm, Gemma, [baby] Sadie and the gang. I just know it's going to be hilarious and heart melting."
Morrissey said: "I'm delighted to be doing another series of Daddy Issues. Working with Aimee was a dream and Danielle's writing is so funny and heart-warming! Can't wait!"
After discovering she was pregnant following a random hook-up, and with her sister Catherine (Sharon Rooney) in jail and her mother Davina (Susan Lynch) travelling the world to find herself, Series 1 saw Gemma having no choice but to turn to the hapless Malcolm for support.
The series ended with her going into labour at employer Rita's (Sarah Hadland) salon and giving birth to baby Sadie with her friends Cherry (Taj Atwal) and Xander (Arian Nik) by her side. Meanwhile, Malcolm rushed to make it to the hospital in time, with the toxic Derek (David Fynn) in tow.
"A second series? And I've found out by reading this press release? Unbelievable" remarked series creator Ward, whose other writing credits include Brassic and Mongrels. "I'm thrilled to be writing for Aimee and David and the rest of this fabulous cast again. I love the Moscrips and can't wait to crack on with their continuing adventures. Sure, a bit of a break would be nice but my hair will grow back, right?"
Jon Petrie, director of BBC Comedy added: "We're delighted to play midwife to a second series of Daddy Issues. Danielle Ward's razor sharp scripts and the dream pairing of Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey have struck a chord with viewers and we can't wait to see Gemma and Malcolm take the first steps on their parenting/grand-parenting journey."
Reviews for Daddy Issues' first series were largely positive, with the Independent calling it "a warm hug of a show" and the Telegraph hailing it as "a hilarious voyage around the most useless of fathers". The Evening Standard felt it was "a sharp, sweet and incessantly witty take on parenthood, female friendships and mid-life crises", while the Guardian described it as "a comedy for our times".
Directed by Damon Beesley (The Inbetweeners, White Gold) and produced by Lynn Roberts (Man Like Mobeen, I Hate You) for Fudge Park Productions (The First Team, Count Abdulla), the series' executive producers are Phil Gilbert for Fudge Park, alongside Wood, Morrissey, Ward and Beesley.
"All of us at Fudge Park are cock-a-hoop to be heading back to Stockport for more messy father/daughter dynamics," said Gilbert. "Aimee and David are a total joy on screen and off, and Danielle is the sharpest scribe in town. Thanks to the BBC for continuing to back the show and for all the love we've had for series one."
Daddy Issues was commissioned by Petrie, Seb Barwell, commissioning editor for comedy, and Fiona Campbell, controller Youth Audience, BBC iPlayer and BBC Three.
Further details about cast additions and filming schedule for the second series will be announced in due course.