Marriage writer responds to the divided reaction to Sean Bean and Nicola Walker drama

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This article discusses sensitive topics like pregnancy loss and miscarriage, which may be upsetting to some readers.

Stefan Golaszewski, known for writing shows like Him & Her, Mum, and the recent series Babies, also created the 2022 drama Marriage, featuring Sean Bean and Nicola Walker.

The show offers a realistic portrayal of the daily lives of a married couple, Ian and Emma. While critics generally loved it, audiences had very different reactions when it premiered on BBC One and iPlayer.

In a recent exclusive video interview for our series, The TopMob Writers’ Room – where we explore the minds of screenwriters – Golaszewski shared his thoughts on this feedback and discussed how he typically handles criticism of his work.

He explained that he reads everything written about his work, reasoning that there’s no point in ignoring it. He admitted it’s never pleasant to see negative criticism, but shared a lesson from his wife. She’d pointed out that when creating a show that intentionally breaks traditional dramatic rules, ‘If you’re going to do that, you have to be prepared for a reaction.’

She really laid it on the line: she told me I knew exactly what I was doing when I made this film, and I deliberately chose to go in that direction. She also pointed out I couldn’t realistically expect universal praise. Honestly, she had a point. As a filmmaker, you pour your heart into something, but how people react? That’s just beyond my control. It is what it is, you know? I’ve accepted that.

I’m really looking forward to Golaszewski’s new show, Babies! It stars Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen as Stephen and Lisa, a couple navigating the heartbreaking journey of trying to start a family, and it honestly sounds incredibly moving – they go through so much with multiple losses and miscarriages.

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Essiedu previously shared with TopMob that playing a role involving pregnancy loss felt important because it’s something many people experience, but isn’t often openly discussed in everyday life or represented in media like TV, music, or art.

As a film fan, I see this show as being about more than just one thing. Stefan really dug deep and brought a lot of personal truth to the story, which is amazing. But for me, it’s also a beautiful exploration of all the things that really matter – the bonds we have with our friends and family, and of course, love and relationships.

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Jack Bannon plays Dave, Stephen’s close friend, and Charlotte Riley stars as Amanda, Dave’s new partner. As Stephen and Lisa navigate their own challenges, Dave and Stephen’s friendship is pushed to its limits.

For information and support, please visit Tommy’s or The Mariposa Trust.

You can now watch the full episodes of ‘Marriage and Babies’ on BBC iPlayer. Plus, a complete interview with Stefan Golaszewski from The TopMob Writers’ Room is available on TopMob and YouTube.

Okay, so I just saw this thing called ‘Babies’ and it’s really good! You can add it to your watchlist on the TopMob ‘What to Watch’ app – seriously, download it if you want daily recommendations for what to stream and all sorts of cool features. It’s become my go-to for finding new shows.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

As someone who’s completely obsessed with TV, I find it fascinating to learn about the people behind the scenes. James Hibbs is one of those folks – he’s a writer focusing on drama for TopMob, which means he covers shows on everything from streaming services like Netflix and Hulu to traditional TV channels. Before writing, he actually worked in public relations, first at an agency dealing with businesses, and then at Fremantle, a big international production company. He’s got a strong background in storytelling, with a BA in English and Theatre Studies, and he’s a qualified journalist too, holding an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma.

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2026-04-02 13:06