If you are on the hunt for a new Netflix binge, look no further than the streaming giants’ newly released Canadian TV series, “Workin Moms.” Director and lead actress Catherine Reitman introduces her audience to a posse of four mothers, Kate (Reitman), Anne (Dani Kind), Frankie (Juno Rinaldi) and Jenny (Jessalyn Wanlim). Each woman represents different archetypes of motherhood, from the over-protective mama bear to the Type A perfectionist. The series follows these women through three seasons as they face postpartum challenges such as difficulty bonding with their babies, marital strain, isolation, and of course, returning to work.
Beyond its reality-based premise, “Workin Moms” incorporates raw, unfiltered humor in the day-to-day situations new mothers often face. From breast milk spilling on important work documents to baby appliance malfunctions, “Workin Moms” brings an aura of light-heartedness to its script that helps balance out the harsher realities and frustration that accompany new motherhood.
USC senior Skyler Baldwin says this authenticity is one of her favorite aspects of the show.
“We need more shows that expose the imperfections people face, rather than shows that try and make things perfect," Baldwin said.
What lies deeper than humor and entertainment, however, is the fact that “Workin Moms” is breaking barriers in the television world, providing on-screen representation of women who are ultimately conquering both professionalism and motherhood, no matter the missteps. By creating a relatable, humorous series with an important social message, “Workin Moms” facilitates conversation about ways to improve the lives of working mothers, particularly through its portrayal of work environments that are not conducive to a work-life balance.
Throughout its three seasons, “ Workin Moms’ ” main protagonist Kate Foster struggles to climb the corporate PR ladder while adjusting to life with an infant. While her boss follows all legal standards regarding working mothers — think breast pumping rooms and paid maternity leave— Kate still finds herself in positions of acute disadvantage as a result of her new mom identity. She is passed up for a promotion she is overly-qualified for, and later in the series when she is finally promoted, Kate must make a difficult personal choice many working mothers can relate to.
In a recent interview with NPR, Reitman talks about the importance of displaying Kate’s struggles and triumphs in such an honest manner.
“I wanted her to relatable, but also someone who was shattering the glass ceiling because it’s something I’m so desperate to connect to and see myself on TV," Reitman said.
For students who are looking to both maintain a long, successful career and raise a family, this desire for representation is just as strong as Reitman’s. Sophomore Melanie Lewi describes the importance of this representation.
“At a school like USC, I see so many successful women who may choose the path of motherhood in addition to their careers," Lewi said. "The show opened my eyes to the reality of how difficult it is for working mothers to pursue their ambitions without feeling like they are abandoning their children.”
“Workin Moms” is also doing good for women behind the camera. Creator Catherine Reitman, a working mother herself, made it a priority to create a show that celebrates ambitious women. She backs this up with a majority-female production team, a killer female cast, and, for seasons one and two, an all-female writers’ room.
“Hire women. Trust women. Let them succeed. Find your match and take the chance, I promise, it pays off” says Reitman in a February interview with Forbes.
There is still much progress to be made in the fight for media portrayal of working mothers and gender parity, but shows like “Workin Moms” pave the road for such representation to thrive.