Motherland (TV series)

Motherland is a British television sitcom set in London, which examines the trials and traumas of middle-class motherhood. It stars Anna Maxwell Martin as Julia, Diane Morgan as Liz, Paul Ready as Kevin and Lucy Punch as Amanda, amongst a range of supporting characters.
A pilot episode, written by a team including Graham Linehan and Sharon Horgan, was first broadcast on BBC Two on 6 September 2016 as part of its "Sitcom Season". The BBC subsequently ordered a full series of six episodes, the first of which aired on 7 November 2017. The second series was released in its entirety on BBC iPlayer on 7 October 2019. The third season began transmission on BBC2 on May 10 2021 with all five episodes being released on BBC iPlayer the same day. In the United States, the show is broadcast on Sundance TV.
Synopsis.
When her mother decides to stop taking care of her children, middle-class Julia Johnson is forced to begin to pay attention to her children’s schooling and the concept of middle-class motherhood. Julia later becomes friends with other parents, working-class Liz and stay-at-home dad Kevin and finds herself in a world of "Alpha Mums" including the superficially polite but acerbic leader, Amanda.
Production.
Development.
The show was originally a 2011 pilot on the American network ABC. However, comedian and writer Sharon Horgan reworked the script when the pilot wasn't picked up for a full season and collaborated with Graham Linehan on turning it into a British sitcom instead. Following its pilot on BBC, it was picked up for a full series in October 2016. 
Filming.
The show was primarily filmed in Acton and Chiswick in West London. Scenes of the school where the children attend are filmed at Southfield Primary School in Bedford Park, London.
Reception.
The first series was released to favourable reviews and holds an approval rating of 82% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 22 reviews with critics. The websites critical consensus reads ""Motherland" pulls no punches, creating an honest and hilarious portrayal of parenthood buoyed by brilliant performances from its seasoned cast -- though for some viewers it may hit a little too close to home". The second series later received a score of 83% based on 12 reviews, with the Christmas special following on with a score of 100% based on 8 reviews. The third series later received five out of five stars by Radio Times and was released to positive reviews.