BBC brings Gemma and Malcolm back to Stockport for a proper send-off
The BBC has confirmed that the Stockport-set sitcom Daddy Issues will return for a third and final series. The show follows Gemma and her hapless father Malcolm as they navigate parenthood, work and the messy routines of everyday life in Stockport.
Led by Manchester actor Aimee Lou Wood as Gemma and David Morrissey as Malcolm, the series is filmed and set locally in Stockport and has become one of the broadcaster’s most talked-about comedies since its debut. The programme has been praised for mixing warm character work with sharp, fearlessly written comedy.
- Setting: Stockport, Greater Manchester
- Lead cast: Aimee Lou Wood (Gemma), David Morrissey (Malcolm)
- Series status: Confirmed — third series, final season
Where the story picks up
According to the BBC’s synopsis, series three picks up 18 months after the end of series two. Life for Gemma has settled into a more familiar rhythm: daughter Sadie is now in nursery, Gemma has received a promotion at the salon, and Malcolm has splashed out on a new washing machine to keep the laundry in order. But the show’s writers signal that the calm won’t last long as ‘old Gemma’ reasserts herself and sets off a chain of events that threaten the fragile balance they’ve built.
| Series | Time jump | Key developments |
|---|---|---|
| Series 1–2 | Initial | Gemma becomes a mother; Gemma and Malcolm live together |
| Series 3 | 18 months on | Sadie in nursery; Gemma promoted; Malcolm buys new washing machine |
Cast and local flavour
Alongside Wood and Morrissey, returning cast include characters who have supported Gemma through her chaotic journey — friends and family who help root the comedy in everyday North West life. The show’s Stockport setting has become an identifiable element of its appeal, giving viewers scenes and situations that feel recognisably local.
“Gemma and Malcolm are one of the funniest and sweetest comedy double acts on TV,” Aimee Lou Wood said as news of the new series was announced.
BBC Comedy leadership praised the series for its sharp writing and for the way audiences have taken the central pair to their hearts. For Stockport residents, the confirmation of a third series brings both pride in a locally set production and the bittersweet knowledge that this run will close the current story.
For viewers who have followed Gemma’s journey from a weekend party-goer to a working mother trying to hold life together with awkward but loving family support, the final series will be watched closely. Locally filmed productions like this also bring attention to Stockport when they reach national audiences — a reminder of the town’s place on the cultural map of Greater Manchester.
The BBC has not yet announced a transmission date for series three. Fans will be watching for scheduling details and trailers in the coming months as production moves forward on Gemma and Malcolm’s last set of adventures.
