Babies review: a powerful, delicate portrait of life after loss
Babies review: a powerful, delicate portrait of life after loss
A BBC drama about baby loss and life after miscarriage, exploring vulnerability, hope, and connection through Lisa and Stephen's delicate journey.
Stefan Golaszewski’s Babies is a BBC One drama that digs into life after baby loss, mixing unsettling humor with raw emotion.
Lisa and Stephen are navigating fertility heartbreak. When Lisa experiences miscarriages, they choose not to dwell on it aloud, clinging to the idea that they must stay positive—“Gotta stay positive… Eyes up, move forwards.” They work to keep their relationship intact, even as they admit they often feel “so alone.”
The story widens to include Stephen’s best friend Dave and his new girlfriend Amanda. Dave is a blunt, banter-loving figure whose fear of genuine intimacy complicates his romance and his relationship with his young son. Amanda, played by Charlotte Riley, remains elusive, with the drama inviting viewers to read her motives without easy explanations.
At its core, the show is about communication: what happens when people don’t—or can’t—ask for what they need because vulnerability feels risky or embarrassing. It unfolds through quiet conversations as well as sharp exchanges, all as Lisa and Stephen try to define what life after loss should look like.
Critics have described Babies as unsettling, funny, moving and emotionally devastating, anchored by strong performances from its leads. While the pace can be slow at times, the emotional pull and the honesty of the storytelling make it a powerful, carefully observed drama.
