---
title: "Mum: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/tv/mum/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/tv/mum"
critics_score: 75
critics_reviews: 7
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Mum (2016): what the critics said

Critics' score 75 from 7 reviews: 6 positive, 1 mixed, 0 negative.

Most critics like Mum, and they like it for the same reasons. The praise clusters on Stefan Golaszewski’s writing, which reviewers describe as slow, observational and truthful about the odd limbo that follows a bereavement, and on Lesley Manville as Cathy, whose polite, restrained widow several reviews treat as the reason the series works at all. Lisa McGrillis is picked out from the ensemble, and more than one critic notes how the scripts find real vulnerability under characters who are, on the surface, broad comic types.

The reservations are mild and the spread is narrow. The Telegraph finds the opening episode soothing rather than biting, leaning on familiar sitcom habits, though it expects Manville to deepen as the series goes on. The Guardian, otherwise warm, thinks it more grown-up than Golaszewski’s previous series but less rude, less visceral and less funny. Nobody dislikes it; the argument is only over how sharp it is.

## Radio Times — Ellie Walker-Arnott

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 May 2016. 

The critic praises the series as a brilliant, truthful take on grief and the strange no-man's-land after losing a loved one. They single out its subtle, slow-paced observational comedy that is sofa-squirmingly painful yet emotionally charged.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/the-creators-of-him-her-are-back-and-their-new-bbc-comedy-mum-is-painfully-funny/)

## Evening Standard

Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 May 2019. 

Lesley Manville delivers a poignant tour de force as Cathy in this tender sitcom about bereavement, family tensions, and unspoken feelings. The review highlights the strong ensemble cast, situational comedy, and moving messages about grief and restraint amid awkward family interactions.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/mum-lesley-manville-s-poignant-tour-de-force-propels-the-mother-of-all-sitcoms-a4154161.html)

## The i Paper — Barbara Speed

Rating ★★★★. 15 May 2019. 

Stefan Golaszewski’s sitcom is hailed as the perfect mix of hilarious and bittersweet moments, with strong writing that captures painful transitions and family reliance. It singles out the heartstring-pulling small moments and the central relationship dynamic for particular praise.

[Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/mum-bbc-two-series-3-final-cathy-michael-review-290690)

## The Guardian

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 May 2016. 

The sitcom shares the warmth and subtle characterisation of its creator's previous work, with believable characters and lovely performances, especially from Lesley Manville and Lisa McGrillis. It is a bit more grown-up than the prior series but not quite as rude, visceral, sexy or funny.

[Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/may/14/mum-review-lesley-manville-stefan-golaszewski)

## The Times — James Jackson

Rating ★★★★☆. 21 February 2018. 

The critic praises Lesley Manville's subtle and deep portrayal of the polite widow Cathy in this suburban sitcom about family dynamics and quiet desperation. It compares the show favorably to Mike Leigh works for its mix of chuckles, recognition, and underlying emptiness.

[Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/tv-review-mum-working-with-weinstein-here-and-now-gmb0x3lv7)

## The Telegraph

Rating 3/5. 13 May 2016. 

The funeral setting offers family dynamics and dark comic potential but the episode is more soothing and enjoyable than biting, with some weak patches and familiar sitcom tropes. Lesley Manville's performance hints at greater depth to come as the series develops.

[Read the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2016/05/13/mum-episode-one-review-soothing-and-enjoyable-but-lacks-real-bit/)

## Den of Geek — Louisa Mellor

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 20 February 2018. 

The critic praises the series as a very funny and affecting portrait of grief and family dynamics with subtle emotional insight. They single out the writing's light touch in revealing vulnerability beneath exaggerated comic characters.

[Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/mum-wonderful-heart-felt-low-key-comedy/)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/tv/mum.md