Actor Paapa Essiedu discusses new BBC drama Babies addressing pregnancy loss

British actor Paapa Essiedu, known for his role in Harry Potter, stars in the television series Babies, which premieres on BBC One on Monday, 30 March at 21:00 BST. The drama focuses on a couple in their 30s, Lisa and Steven, as they cope with multiple miscarriages while trying to conceive. Essiedu hopes the show will encourage open dialogue about pregnancy loss, aiming to reduce stigma and isolation. He collaborated with medical specialists and midwives to prepare for his role, as he lacks personal experience with childbirth. Co-star Siobhán Cullen also consulted midwives and women who have undergone similar experiences. Writer and director Stefan Golaszewski, known for Bafta-winning comedies like Mum and Him & Her, drew from personal insights to craft the narrative, though it is not autobiographical. The series emphasizes the emotional toll on both partners, challenging the notion that miscarriage only affects women physically. Essiedu notes that grief is often overlooked due to societal discomfort, and the show aims to create a supportive space for discussion. Additionally, Essiedu addresses receiving death threats over his casting as Severus Snape in an upcoming HBO Harry Potter series, but he highlights overwhelming positive feedback. Both actors report that working on Babies has deepened their empathy and changed their views on relationships and parenthood.