What do you mean you’re NOT watching...

WE’VE MADE IT OUR MISSION

to find the casting director for this show and give them a heartfelt hug, because every performance in Mum is exquisite. There’s Lesley Manville as the endlessly patient Cathy (with a sarcastic streak that’s all the more delightful for being deployed so sparingly), Peter Mullan as love-struck Michael, Lisa Mcgrillis as well-meaning but talkative Kelly – and particularly Dorothy Atkinson as pinched-lipped Pauline, who walks around Cathy’s house like she ought to be wearing a Hazmat suit. If at least one of this lot doesn’t get a BAFTA next year, we’ll be absolutely astounded.