Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey turn family chaos into comedy gold in a second season full of laughs and heart.
The second season of the BBC comedy Daddy Issues really hits its stride, making you laugh one minute and leaving you genuinely touched the next. Exploring the ups and downs of motherhood, family, and figuring out life, the series builds on what made its first season enjoyable while giving its characters more room to shine. Aimee Lou Wood and David Morrissey remain a wonderful pairing as Gemma and Malcolm, bringing warmth and wit to a father-daughter relationship that’s anything but conventional. The writing is particularly strong this season, finding comedy in the everyday chaos of raising a child without losing sight of the emotional connections beneath it.
Three months after Gemma gives birth to Sadie, the season throws us straight into the exhausting, unpredictable reality of new parenthood. Gemma battles sleepless nights and tries to find her footing as a mother while also thinking about her career. With her mother, Davina, around, life isn’t any easier, so she devises a plan to get Malcolm back into the flat. Malcolm, meanwhile, has been making do in a rundown bedsit with his friend Derek. He adores being a grandfather, but his tendency to panic and micromanage makes even simple situations unnecessarily complicated. Their living arrangements bring plenty of laughs, but beneath the chaos, a family learns to support one another.
The supporting characters also get their chance to shine. Davina’s judgmental presence creates friction, while Derek’s knack for dragging Malcolm into questionable situations leads to some particularly ridiculous moments. Gemma’s planned holiday takes an unexpected turn when Grandad Jackie gets involved, transforming what should have been a relaxing break into a disastrous trip to a bleak caravan park. Meanwhile, her friendship with Cherry hits a rough patch, and a long-held secret from Malcolm’s past adds another emotional complication. These storylines bring variety without pulling focus from Gemma and her dad.
What makes the season so enjoyable is how naturally it moves between comedy and more heartfelt moments. Motherhood isn’t portrayed as endlessly rewarding, and Malcolm’s adjustment to being a grandfather brings its own insecurities. Both characters are learning as they go, and their relationship remains the heart of the series. Wood brings a relatable mix of frustration, vulnerability, and determination to Gemma, while Morrissey is equally terrific as the well-meaning but often overwhelmed Malcolm. Together, they keep even the most chaotic family moments grounded and believable.
Then there’s the season finale: the perfect finishing touch. It brings together the show’s humor, heart, and character development in a way that captures what makes Daddy Issues so special. Malcolm makes a decision he believes will make Gemma happy, while Gemma takes an important step towards her career with her first major job interview. Both developments move the characters forward without suggesting that their problems have magically disappeared.
Season 2 is a real step forward, with sharper writing and a clearer sense of what makes this family tick. I’m thrilled the BBC has commissioned a third and final season, because this comedy deserves a proper send-off. If it’s anything like this one, we’re in for another treat. Overall, I give Season 2 a 9/10.
Have you seen Daddy Issues Season 2? What did you think of the series? Are you sad it's only one more season? Leave a comment.
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