We’ve been discussing our favourite types of TV character in the Manhattan TV office recently and one thing struck us - so many of them are Mums. Not just the warm beating heart of family life, but often the pivotal character in so much of our favourite telly.
What surprised us most was how often mothers were the crucial characters in one of TV's most beloved genres - the sitcom. Perhaps that shouldn't be surprising; regardless of era or setting, the format naturally calls for a strong maternal figure.'
Pam Shipman - Gavin & Stacey
Pam starts Gavin & Stacey looking like the comic relief - a caricature of an overbearing Essex Mum who fakes a vegetarian diet to avoid looking foolish. But as the show goes on she brings a real warmth to the series - acting not just as Gavin’s Mum, but a surrogate matriarch to the whole clan. From comforting Dawn in the toilets (again) through to offering Smithy the right words at the right time, Pam always knew just what to say -even if the process of getting there could be painfully, hilariously awkward.
Barbara Royle - The Royle Family
Barb has the patience of a saint. No one else could bring some semblance of order to the Royle family, but season after season she does just that. For our money, Barb is Sue Johnston’s finest role - she blends total devotion to her family with impeccable sitcom timing and a sense that there’s more to the character than her family lets you see. While we’re not picking favourites, she might well end up top of a ranked list.
Violet Crawley - Downton Abbey
The Dowager Countess of Grantham is a force of nature. She may not be a traditional "mum" in the same way as others on this list, but she’s undoubtedly the matriarch of Downton Abbey and her family. Violet dispenses withering put-downs and sage advice in equal measure, always with impeccable timing and a twinkle in her eye. Her love for her family, however eccentric it may appear, is unwavering
Betty Spencer -Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em
Yes, we know she’s not a mum throughout the series. And yes we know the show’s not named after her. But still, once baby Jessica arrives on the scene she epitomises the perfect sitcom Mum - wise, witty and surprisingly patient, though never scared of a well-timed verbal jab or two to keep the chaos around her in check. Plus, given how hopeless Frank is, she’s effectively Mum to him too. She’s not just a great TV mum - she’s an all time great sitcom character.
Peggy Mitchell - Eastenders
“Get. Outta. My. Pub.”
This list wouldn’t be complete without the East End’s most famous matriarch. While the first names on our list may come from sitcom land, Peggy is pure grit and glamour. She’s arguably the most well rounded character on our list - and the most iconic. Who else has come back for not three, not four, but five appearances - with the latest just last month. Her clan may not have been the easiest to keep in check, but Peggy did it with dignity - this is one woman who would not suffer fools.
Edwina Monsoon - Absolutely Fabulous
Eddie is less a traditional mother and more a force of chaotic energy. While Saffron might be the responsible one, Eddie's outlandish schemes, desperate attempts to cling to youth, and utter refusal to conform make her a truly memorable TV mum. Her relationship with Saffron is a constant battle of wills, yet underneath the surface lies a deep, if often dysfunctional, love.
Marge Simpson - The Simpsons
While we’ve tried to keep this list to mostly Brits, we’d be doing TV’s longest serving mum a disservice if we left her off. Marge embodies the Simpsons - she’s the anchor for every other member of the family and the straight woman for so many stories. That’s what makes it so special when she steps into the spotlight - who could forget her attempts to sell pretzels? Or her emotional affair at the bowling alley? While she tries to keep the family together, Marge is just as fallible as the rest of them and that’s what makes her character sing.
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