BBC Two comedy to end next year

BBC Two’s acclaimed sitcom Mum is to end with its third series next year.

The cast have just finished shooting their emotional last scenes of the Bafta-winning comedy, written by Him & Her creator Stefan Golaszewski.

Series two culminated with the recently widowed Cathy, played by Lesley Manville, revealing her feelings for love interest Michael (Peter Mullan) but her son Jason hostile to their relationship.

Lisa McGrillis, who plays Kelly, Jason's dim girlfriend, tweeted from the set: 'With a lump in my throat and a heavy heart, Its impossible to believe that today is the Last day EVER filming #Mum what a joy it has been and boy oh boy are you in for a treat.’

With a lump in my throat and a heavy heart, Its impossible to believe that today is the Last day EVER filming #Mum what a joy it has been and boy oh boy are you in for a treat. @bigtalk @bbccomedy @kentonallen  @SamSwainsbury

— Lisa McGrillis (@LisaMcGrillis) 2 November 2018

Sam Swainsbury, who plays Jason, responded with four ‘crying face’ emojis.

A spokesperson for producer Big Talk confirmed to Chortle that 'the new series will be the finale and transmission will be next year’.

Mum attracted its highest overnight viewing figures of 1.5million when it returned in February. Over the six-part series it averaged 1.1million viewers on overnight ratings, up 13 per cent on the 970,000 attracted in in May 2016.

It has been largely acclaimed by critics, too, with the Telegraph enthusing that the 'small but perfectly formed series' ended with 'an air-punching, eye-dampening conclusion to what’s undoubtedly been among the finest shows of 2018 so far'.

However, the Guardian felt it contained 'some thoroughly unfunny misogynistic moments' and called Cathy a 'dated representation of archetypal, unshakeable mum-ness … There is something reductive about the neatly tied apron, shoes and tights always on in the house, the ability to keep calm and carry on ironing.’

The show aired on the PBS channel in the US this year. And an American remake is in the works, headed by The Social Network producer Scott Rudin and writer and Homeland actor Tracy Letts.

- by Jay Richardson

Published: 5 Nov 2018