In February 2019, in the middle of season 3, the series premiered globally on Netflix.[4][5] On May 29, 2019, Workin' Moms was renewed for a fourth season, which premiered on February 18, 2020.[6] In April 2020, the series was renewed for a fifth season,[7] which premiered on February 16, 2021.[8] In June 2021, the series was renewed for a sixth season.[9] which premiered on January 4, 2022. On June 20, 2022, creator Catherine Reitman announced that pre-production had begun on a seventh and final season, which premiered on January 3, 2023.[10]
Set in modern-day Toronto, this dramedy series chronicles the lives of five moms who form unusual friendships through a very insightful, yet provocative "Mommy and Me" class, and on their difficult path of urban motherhood, which is packed with the turmoil of kids, highs and lows, careers, marriage and identity issues, all while attempting to reach the holy grail: a sense of self.
Cast
Main
Catherine Reitman as Kate Foster (née Hoffman), a PR executive and company director, and a mother of two
Dani Kind as Anne Carlson, Kate's best friend and a mother of two; also, a therapist and aspiring author
Juno Rinaldi as Frances "Frankie" Coyne, a realtor (seasons 1–5)
Jessalyn Wanlim as Jennifer "Jenny" Matthews, an IT specialist (seasons 1 & 3–7; recurring, season 2)
Enuka Okuma as Sloane Mitchell, a publishing executive (seasons 6 & 7; recurring, season 5)
Sarah McVie as Valerie "Val" Szalinsky, the peppy administrator of Toddler Time, the "Mommy and Me" group that the main characters participate in (seasons 5–7; recurring seasons 1–4)
Sadie Munroe as Alice Carlson, the elder of Lionel and Anne's two daughters
Dennis Andres as Ian Matthews, initially Jenny's husband, then ex-husband; also, an aspiring screenwriter and a stay-at-home father (seasons 1–3; recurring season 4)
In Canada, the series aired on the CBC, and new episodes are released on CBC Gem the day after an episode was first broadcast during its run. All seasons are available to stream on Netflix worldwide.
In 2019, the show received 9 Canadian Screen Award nominations at the 7th Canadian Screen Awards, including Best Comedy Series and Best Actress for both show creator Catherine Reitman and Dani Kind. Reitman also received a nomination for Best Direction (for the episode “2005”), while Jann Arden, Amanda Brugel, and Peter Keleghan received recognition for Best Supporting or Guest Actor/Actress.[13]
For the 9th Canadian Screen Awards in 2021, the show received a nomination for Best Comedy Series. Sarah McVie and Juno Rinaldi were both nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Comedy. Ryan Belleville and Peter Keleghan received Best Supporting Actor, Comedy nominations - while Colin Mochrie received a nomination for Best Guest Performance, Comedy. Catherine Reitman received a Best Direction, Comedy nomination, Kristin Fieldhouse a Best Photography, Comedy nomination and Marianna Khoury a Best Picture Editing, Comedy nomination. Both Dani Kind and Reitman were once again nominated for Best Lead Actress, Comedy.[14]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, season 1 has an approval rating of 77% based on reviews from 13 critics.[15]
John Doyle of The Globe and Mail, wrote that the show "reeks of entitlement and privilege." Doyle further expressed sympathy for working mothers but not the show saying "The moms represent only a very specific, urban-bourgeois type. Their troubles are tiny, they live in luxury and their only contact with anything approaching the reality of contemporary life is via their nannies."[16]
While Brad Oswald of the Winnipeg Free Press wrote that the show "demonstrates a deft ability to deliver punchlines while at the same time confronting the realities of 21st-century motherhood."[17]
Regarding the show's fifth season, Cristina Iskander of Tell-Tale TV noted that "as a whole, Workin’ Moms Season 5 is a solid addition to the series... it maintains the general irreverence it’s become known for over the years while allowing for a more serious and somber tone than it’s traditionally had before."[18]
