UK comedian Katherine Ryan has developed a new TV series on Netflix called The Duchess. Think Sex and the City meets Bad Mom throw in a bit of Two and a Half Men, but also a twist of that dry British sarcasm for fun.
The Duchess is a humorous look at what it is like to be a single mother in 2020, while trying to stay hip, keeping up with the latest fashion trends, going out until all hours of the night, drinking and swearing like a trooper all the while trying to raise a kid… did I mentioned she is also wanting to have a second child?
Released on Netflix on September 11th, the brand new series is also written by Ryan.
Katherine Ryan you might recognize from other series including Katherine Ryan in Ireland, Katherine Ryan: In Trouble, Katherine Ryan: Glitter Room or Counterfeit Cat. She has a long history with TV comedy that has been heavily featured in the UK and Ireland.
Katy Byrne plays Olive, Katherine’s long suffering daughter, who is a little bit “Saffy” from Absolutely Fabulous and a little bit “Olive” from Little Miss Sunshine. A naivety and slight innocence but also the persona of someone who has had to grow up quickly to care for the older insufferable parent.
The series draws on a very interesting concept of a woman who is raising a child that does not want to give up the aspects of her life that she enjoys. There is an undertone of a woman struggling with the reality that life does grow and change once you have a child and then the desire to have a second, by any means possible, including your ex. It is definitely a comedy but there are moments that make you realize sometimes life is about compromise.
Don’t get me wrong this is a humorous, quite dirty, tongue in cheek look at single motherhood and the brutal realities of raising a child on your own. There is a crassness and in your face look that highlights the reality of trying to date while having a child. The awkward questions about sex and how do you explain a one night stand to your child the next day?
The Duchess is a comedy that will remind you of your single mother friends and will make you laugh and cringe at the same time.
The Duchess is currently available on Netflix.
