Common Sense Media Review
By Jenny Nixon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Sex, booze, language in dark comedy about mental illness.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Big Mood
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
BIG MOOD is a black comedy from England starring Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Bridgerton) as Maggie, a floundering playwright struggling to balance her creative and romantic lives while dealing with bipolar disorder. Her longtime best friend Eddie (Lydia West, Inside Man, Dracula) is trying to manage her own relationships while also keeping her family business, a rat-infested, sparsely frequented bar, financially afloat. Their decade-long friendship is tested when Maggie makes a series of questionable, often hurtful decisions resulting from an imbalance of mental health meds and her own poor choices.
Is It Any Good?
The harsh reality of bipolar disorder is well illustrated, from the stratospheric high of a manic episode to the agonizing crash of depression that follows, but it's never so dark that we can't laugh. Big Mood showcases Coughlan's range wonderfully, making us sympathize with her while also feeling frustrated that she just can't seem to get it together. Maggie and Eddie's relationship is relatable and compelling; their natural chemistry balances the emotional blows with genuine laughter remarkably well. The series offers a nuanced, deeply human take on mental illness without being overly self-serious, making it a must-watch for anyone who likes stories about complicated women and friendship.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way mental illness is typically portrayed in media. What responsibility do filmmakers have when creating onscreen depictions of these struggles? How do you feel about the way Big Mood approaches the topic?
What do you think it would be like to have a friend like Maggie? How does Eddie handle their friendship in moments when it feels too chaotic to manage? How do the characters display empathy, gratitude, and compassion?
TV Details
- Premiere date : April 19, 2024
- Cast : Nicola Coughlan , Lydia West , Robert Gilbert
- Network : Tubi
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Friendship
- TV rating :
- Last updated : April 30, 2026
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