If you know me, you know that I will pretty much watch any UK television show that I am recommended or stars somebody I enjoy. Big Mood was released in 2024 and I have watched it thrice in that time…and you know what, I’ll do it again!
The Basics:
Where to watch: TUBI! Which is FREE.1
Episodes: Season 1 has 6 episodes which are ~30 minutes and it has been renewed for Season 2.
Created by: Camilla Whitehill, who also wrote the show!
Starring: Nicola Coughlan, Lydia West, Robert Gilbert, Amalia Vitale, Ukelwi Roach, Eamon Ferron, and more.
Big Mood tells the story of Maggie (Nicola Coughlan) and Eddie (Lydia White), two bestfriends who are navigating new phases of adulthood together. Set in London, Maggie is a playwright who also lives with bipolar disorder and is struggling to write a play she is already behind on, while Eddie is a bartender who is trying to maintain ownership of her late father’s pub despite her brother insisting that they sell to a developer.
Primarily a comedy, Big Mood is able to address the messier, darker parts of mental illness without melodrama. It is also, ultimately, a story about friendship. The relationship between Eddie and Maggie is layered in a way that I don’t think we see enough of on TV (or in movies). They are codependent and trying to figure out what that means but there is also a clear dynamic where Eddie is usually the one taking care of Maggie — while Maggie might not reciprocate as often. Who hasn’t been there? Or still has a friendship like this? Having been socialized as a girl and woman, I have a fondness for shows that depict friendships between women that really feel….real. The chemistry between Nicola Coughlan and Lydia West feels so genuine you’d think they have been friends for decades.2 And I’ve watched their interviews together, okay? Those are two charming ladies!!!!



Across the six episodes, Maggie continues to struggle with balancing her lithium with the pages she needs to write, while Eddie stresses over the bar (as well as her brother and their scattered, selfish mother) and attempting to have a dating life. She also has a pub employee named KLENT so let that sink in.
Derry Girls fans already know that Nicola Coughlan has incredible comedic chops, but in Big Mood she gets to flex those skills while also playing an adult woman instead of a teenager. She is remarkable in this role in both the funny moments and the dark spiral that Maggie takes — I want more of this for her, more roles that are juicy and adult. 3


This show also has something another favourite show of mine4 has: an abortion. Eddie’s abortion journey is handled in a way that critiques the systems that people have to deal with while also poking fun at the #girlboss approach that is really for rich white women — both of which fit perfectly into the tone of the show in a way that feels natural and inevitable, and not forced or heavy handed.
There is another subtle thing that I enjoy throughout this show: Maggie’s nails slowly becoming haggard. This is a small thing, but I often notice the nail polish happening in TV shows because I am annoying — and sometimes they are too perfect for too long! But the red on Maggie’s almond shaped manicure begins to wear away at the very tips. There is a moment where, when trying to appear put together again, Maggie’s nails are a darker shade and once again pristine, but this does not last. To me, it’s a small nod to how sometimes we stop caring for ourselves and doing the things that make us feel like us because our brains are too busy trying to stay alive.
Lydia West is a stand-out performance alongside the force that is Nicola Coughlan. West’s Eddie is relatable, clever, strong, and tired. Eddie is self-possessed and able to stand up for herself and for Maggie, yet when it comes to men…well……not so much. As Hunter and Peyton would say: “Many such cases!”
It’s beautiful and heart wrenching to watch Eddie realize that she needs to distance herself from her bestfriend because, despite how much she understands and supports Maggie, she cannot constantly be sidelined or put on the back burner. I relate to this journey that Eddie goes through and I love West’s portrayal. Together, Coughlan and West are a (gorgeous, beautiful, super hot) force of acting power.
I do not have bipolar disorder but I have seen many positive reviews from people who do. Whitehill herself has talked about watching her brother navigate his own bipolar and how that inspired her approach in the show. If you do watch, and I hope you do, remember to take care of yourself in the event that something heavy feels a little too heavy.
As always, here is a collection of other writings on this excellent show:
Nicola interview w/ The Irish Times
Nicola & Lydia for Harper’s Bazaar
Nicola & Lydia for Forbes
Camila & Nicola for Radio Times
Director Rebecca Asher & EP Lotte Beasley Mestriner for Bipolar UK
I leave you with this: there is a Love, Actually party episode that is simply perfect *chef kiss*. TV made just for me!!!
I LOVE TUBI. Sure, it has some ads, but so do the friggin PAID subscriptions these days! Tubi has an excellent catalogue (including some awesome originals like Boarders) that spans movies you have never heard of as well as absolute classics. Sign up!!!
Interestingly, Nicola has been friends with the show writer/creator for over 15 years.
And don’t involve that GHOUL Colin Bridgerton
Shrill (2019-2021)
Omg I loved this show!!! Watched it in one sitting!
omg, you have watched it! I remember asking if you had! so good and can't wait for season two.