Traditionally mums on TV have been portrayed in two distinct camps: kind, virtuous and respectable like Claire Huxtable from The Cosby Show, or reckless and unhinged like the lovable, heavy-drinking Patsy Stone from Absolutely Fabulous. Thankfully we’ve been noticing a spate of films and TV shows that do an incredible job of showing the nuances and breadth and depth of motherhood. We showcase some of our current faves.

Workin’ Moms

Warm, loyal PR executive Kate and her longtime friend, no-nonsense psychiatrist Anne, attend a judgmental mommies’ group, where they meet timid IT tech Jenny and blindly optimistic real estate agent Frankie. The four quickly form an unlikely friendship, sharing struggles of urban motherhood filled with the chaos of toddlers, tantrums, careers, and identity crises, all while trying to achieve the holy grail: a sense of self.

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Trying

All Nikki and Jason want is a baby — the one thing they can’t have — so they decide to adopt; with their dysfunctional friends, screwball families and chaotic lives, the adoption panel may not agree they’re ready to be parents.

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The Let Down

New mother Audrey needs help with the new addition to her family, so she joins a support group for new parents. While attending meetings, she makes quirky friends who are facing their own challenges and life changes. Outside of the group, she seeks support from work-stressed partner Jeremy and even the neighbourhood drug dealer. As Audrey navigates the learning curve that comes with motherhood, she deals with issues that include sleeplessness, shifting relationship dynamics and Jeremy’s career ambitions.

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Tully

Having a kid is hard. Having three kids—one of whom is a newborn baby—isn’t just three times harder. The challenges increase exponentially to the point of surrealism, a sensation writer Diablo Cody and director Jason Reitman nail with their latest comic drama, “Tully.” In their third collaboration, Cody and Reitman have crafted no confectionery ode to motherhood. There’s no wacky mad dash to the hospital, followed by cataclysmic screams for comic effect. In the same vein as 2007’s “Juno” and 2011’s “Young Adult,” “Tully” unearths uncomfortable truths in a wry, wise way.

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Motherland

Written by a team that includes multiple award winners Sharon Horgan and Graham Linehan, this sitcom focuses on middle-class parents and the everyday challenges they encounter. From the competitiveness of the morning school run, to the sheer pandemonium of hosting a children’s party, `Motherland’ gives an honest and amusing depiction of life as a modern-day mother or father to small kids. Armed with their own individual parenting techniques, the leading characters try their best to carry out their responsibilities calmly, tackling each humour-filled situation as it arises.

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Ginny and Georgia

The mother and daughter dynamic is explored with gusto in the ballsy comedy drama, Ginny and Georgia. Georgia is a confident, playful and whimsical mama who acts as both caregiver and bestie to her 15-year-old daughter Ginny, who she gave birth to at the same age. We love that Georgia owns all parts of herself (not allowing anyone to judge her for becoming a mum at 15) and revels in her femininity and sex appeal. Extra kudos to the makers of Ginny and Georgia for tackling the racial politics of the white mother/biracial daughter dynamic.

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Moxie

With social activism being such a prominent feature of our society, it was only a matter of time before films started documenting this era of social change. Moxie tells the story of a shy, high school teen who inspired by her mum who has strong activist roots, creates an anonymous e-zine which she distributes throughout school to call out the social ills of sexism, racism and misogyny. Moxie perfectly demonstrates how as mothers we can positively impact our children by helping them to find their voice and use it as a force for good.

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Behind Her Eyes

Who else has been hooked on this six-part drama/thriller on Netflix, Behind Her Eyes? Starring Simona Brown in the lead role, Brown plays Louise, a single mum who embarks on an affair with her boss while also befriending his wife. Despite being a loving and devoted mother to the adorable son Adam (Tyler Howitt), Louise makes some questionable life choices, and we couldn’t have been the only ones frequently screaming at the TV: “Gurrrl, don’t do it”. Louise serves as a reminder that being a mum doesn’t mean you’re infallible. To be human is to be imperfectly messy.

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Life of The Party

If you’re a middle-aged woman whose husband unceremoniously dumps you unexpectedly, what do you do? Well, you enrol in your 20-year-old daughter’s college to complete your degree and do-over your young adult years, of course. Life of The Party is a light-hearted comedy starring Melissa McCarthy that serves as a reminder that it’s never too late for us as women/mothers to pivot and change the trajectory of our lives.

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Firefly Lane

Firefly Lane stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke as two besties who lead dramatically different lives and enjoy a friendship that spans several decades. Although this warm and fuzzy hearted Netfilx series has friendship at its pulse, it also scrutinises the complex relationship between mothers and their daughters during the tricky teen years.

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The Single Moms Club

Single mums tend to be marginalised in our society, so it’s awesome to see it explored in such an honest and compassionate way as is the case with the The Single Moms Club. Directed by Tyler Perry and starring Nia Long, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Amy Smart, this spirited comedy drama centres on five single mums from very different social/cultural backgrounds who realise they have more in common and form a support group to help overcome life’s challenges.

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Otherhood

We very rarely get the perspective of motherhood from that of empty nesters, and that’s what makes Otherhood such a cinematic treat. When three mums come together to lament that they feel neglected by their adult sons who have flown the coop and lead busy lives, they hatch a plan to travel to New York City to surprise them. Otherhood has some real tender moments, and is a poignant, heartfelt tale that reminds us that the mother and child bond is imperishable.

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