'Daddy Issues' (2024) Review

Over the years there has been plenty of conversation about creating more female led film/TV projects, whether that be written, directed, produced by or starred in by women. But even now, a show like Daddy Issues still feels like its filling a void when it comes to these female led projects. It still feels like a breath of fresh air to have a TV show centred entirely on a young woman, which is both a testament to the representation Daddy Issues provides but also a possible wake-up call to say that we still have a lot of work to do.  

Aimee Lou Wood as Gemma

Daddy Issues (written and created by Danielle Ward) follows 24 year old Gemma (Aimee Lou Wood) as she deals with an unexpected pregnancy after a one night stand, and with her flatmate moving out and her sister in jail, she realises that the only person on hand to help her is her pitiful father, Malcolm (David Morrissey), who has just been abandoned by Gemma’s mum for another man. From the offset, Gemma is an incredibly likeable and relatable character (she wears a t-shirt in the first episode that has ‘don’t be a dick’ written in cursive beside a teddy bear…). She’s not only having to comprehend how she is going to bring new life into this world (and even if she wants to in the first place) but also how to deal with her dad who himself is like a newborn thrust into the world now that he doesn’t have a woman to do everything for him. There’s a particular rage I recognise within Gemma as a young woman that comes about when you realise not all that much has changed for women. Some men are still creepy (one guy ‘jokingly’ tells Gemma not to ignore him because “I know where you live”); we’re still at the receiving end of a lot of their anger for no apparent reason (Gemma’s called a whore for politely rejecting dinner with a man she’s only just met); and your dad still probably can’t do a food shop for himself because he thinks jacket potatoes are potatoes covered in leather (an excellent scene in the show by the way) and that he can’t behave as a fully grown adult because, according to him, “your mum never taught me.” Whilst these are still very real and serious points, they are an example of the kind of humour created in the show that has women, or anyone who’s dealt with extremely stereotypical men, in mind. Danielle Ward has created a show that is incredibly poignant, hilarious, relatable and ultimately feel good. Not many could have written a supporting character like Malcolm’s friend Derek who runs a bedsit for divorced men, refers to his friends as ‘king’, and thinks magic tricks will pull women, making him probably the funniest character in the show whilst being an absolute douchebag.

Derek (David Flynn)

David Morrissey as Malcolm with Gemma

Ward’s writing and humour finds its perfect execution through all actors involved in the show, but particularly its star Aimee Lou Wood. The majority of us fell in love with Wood in Sex Education as the sweet and hilarious Aimee Gibb, and she continues to show off her incredible ability as a comedic actress in Daddy Issues, whilst also bringing a deep level of vulnerability to the role, as she did in Sex Ed. With one of her next projects being White Lotus, Wood’s career is one I’m really excited to see blossom even more than it already has done. And as the icing on the cake, we recently found out that Daddy Issues has been renewed for a second season on BBC Three, which means we are not done following Wood as Gemma, her experience of motherhood and coping with a dysfunctional family. I am very excited!

Disclaimer: Images are not my own.