In Daddy Issues, growing up is a family problem—and neither Gemma nor Malcolm is ready to solve it.
Some of the best comedies center on characters who have no idea what they’re doing, and the BBC’s Daddy Issues makes excellent use of that premise. This funny, heartfelt series follows two people struggling to build stable lives while discovering that the person they need most may also be the one who drives them mad. Led by terrific performances from Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey, it blends awkward situations, dysfunctional family dynamics, and genuine warmth into a refreshingly human comedy.
An Unlikely Living Arrangement
The first season introduces Gemma (Aimee Lou Wood), a 24-year-old hairdresser from Stockport whose carefree lifestyle is upended when she discovers she is pregnant after a one-night stand. With her finances in trouble and her search for an affordable flatmate going nowhere, Gemma needs help—and cannot afford to be selective about where it comes from.
Enter her father, Malcolm (David Morrissey), a sweet-natured but hopelessly disorganized man whose marriage is falling apart. He is hardly a model of stability, but he offers Gemma something she urgently needs: support as she prepares to become a mother. Sharing a flat forces them to confront their differences while learning to rely on each other in unexpected ways.
The premise works because Daddy Issues never pretends that either character has life figured out. Gemma is impulsive, selfish, and resistant to responsibility, while Malcolm struggles with even the most basic adult tasks. Yet neither is treated as a lost cause. They stumble through problems, make questionable choices, and occasionally surprise themselves with moments of maturity.
Their relationship is dysfunctional but affectionate. They can infuriate each other one moment and provide genuine comfort the next, giving the show its emotional foundation and making their living arrangement feel like more than a sitcom contrivance.
A Father-Daughter Relationship Full of Contradictions
The show’s greatest strength is the relationship between Gemma and Malcolm. Their dynamic is funny because they often seem to be competing over who can be less responsible, but beneath the bickering lies a sincere desire to help one another.
Wood brings confidence, vulnerability, and immaturity to Gemma. She wants to remain independent while confronting a life change she cannot ignore, and Wood captures that tension without making the character sentimental or predictable. Gemma can be frustrating, but a recognizable person always shows through the chaos.
Morrissey is equally effective as Malcolm, giving him a gentle, almost childlike quality without reducing him to a collection of embarrassing mishaps. His insecurities, romantic disappointments, and need for companionship make his attempts to rebuild his life while supporting his pregnant daughter both funny and touching.
Together, Wood and Morrissey make the relationship feel authentic even when the situations become ridiculous. They understand how family members can know exactly which buttons to push while still showing up when it matters. The comedy succeeds because their affection feels real—not because every disagreement ends with a sentimental speech.
Six Episodes of Dating Disasters and Family Chaos
Across six episodes, Daddy Issues explores what happens when people try to build a life without being remotely prepared for it.
Gemma and Malcolm gradually recognize how isolated they have become. Their attempts to build more stable friendships reveal how hard it is to create a support system when your own life is already a mess. Gemma reconnects with people from her past, while her eccentric friend Derek (David Fynn) encourages Malcolm to expand his social circle.
Romance adds another complication. Gemma considers what kind of father figure she wants for her unborn child, while Malcolm awkwardly ventures into online dating. Their failures provide plenty of comic material, but dating also becomes part of a broader effort to understand who they are and what they need from others.
One of the season’s funniest storylines unfolds at a prenatal class, where Malcolm’s bizarre comments derail the proceedings—including his ridiculous suggestion that the placenta is a modern, woke phenomenon. Morrissey’s commitment to Malcolm’s bewildered sincerity makes the absurdity land.
The wider family creates its own problems when Gemma seeks advice from her Aunt Jess and ends up in an uncomfortable situation involving Jess’s intimidating husband, Tyrone. These encounters reinforce the show’s view that family doesn't always mean dependable adults to turn to. Meanwhile, Derek’s increasingly chaotic schemes add unpredictability and give Malcolm another entertaining relationship beyond his bond with Gemma.
The Comedy Works Because the Characters Matter
Daddy Issues uses familiar sitcom ingredients: misunderstandings, failed romantic plans, and ordinary situations that spiral into absurd disasters. What gives these scenarios weight is the character work beneath them.
The humor often comes from Malcolm trying to appear competent or Gemma responding with confidence despite having no sensible plan. Their contrasting personalities generate comedy naturally, and the show avoids making either character a permanent target.
The series also embraces ridiculousness, occasionally sacrificing realism for the next comic escalation. That is part of its appeal, although viewers seeking a grounded portrayal of pregnancy and family life may find some of its antics far-fetched.
The emotional honesty beneath the absurdity keeps those choices effective. The characters make mistakes, hurt one another, and create fresh problems, but their actions still have consequences. The series allows their flaws to matter without abandoning its lighthearted tone.
A Chaotic Finale Sets Up an Emotional Turning Point
The finale brings the show’s strengths together in suitably chaotic fashion. A surprise baby shower for Gemma takes an unexpected turn when Derek’s escape-room plan goes spectacularly wrong. As Malcolm and Derek become caught up in the mess, Gemma’s plans for her birth partners collapse just as she goes into labor earlier than expected.
The series ends frantically, with people who rarely have anything under control. Beneath the chaos lies a simple question: When Gemma needs support most, will the people she depends on actually be there?
The cliffhanger leaves her facing a life-changing moment while everyone else scrambles to catch up. It works because it builds on the bond that has made the show so engaging from the start. Gemma and Malcolm may be an unconventional father-daughter team, but their relationship remains its emotional center.
Final Thoughts
Daddy Issues balances broad comedy with surprising heart. Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey are terrific together, creating a central relationship that feels messy, complicated, and genuinely loving. Watching their imperfect characters navigate adulthood, pregnancy, dating, and family life is what makes the series so entertaining.
The writing is sharp, the supporting cast adds energy, and the show understands that family relationships can be both exhausting and comforting. Some storylines stretch believability, but the emotional core carries the more outrageous moments.
Most importantly, Daddy Issues does not treat growing up as something that ends at a particular age. Gemma is preparing to become a parent, while Malcolm is still figuring out how to be an adult. They are at different stages of life but share the same basic challenge: learning how to show up for the people they love.
With strong lead performances, warm character writing, and a wonderfully dysfunctional family dynamic, Daddy Issues is a comedy that makes you laugh while encouraging you to root for its characters. It is funny, heartfelt, and well worth seeking out. Overall, I give the first season a 9/10.
Have you watched Daddy Issues? What do you think makes Gemma and Malcolm’s relationship work despite all the chaos? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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