‘All the characters are fun!'

Paul Ready on the secrets of the sitcom’s success and the challenges ahead for Kevin

- CAREN CLARK

Tensions at the school gate reach fever pitch as BBC2’s hit sitcom Motherland returns for a third series this week, with a nit outbreak, an open day and an excursion all causing fresh angst for the stressed-out parents!

Personal challenges for the mums and dads certainly bring a bittersweet feel to the five-part season, as Julia (Anna Maxwell Martin) is caring for her frail mum, while anxious dad Kevin (The Terror’s Paul Ready) deals with the prospect of divorce.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Paul, 44, chats to TV Times about why he’s pleased to be championing stay-at-home dads and the secrets of the must-see show’s success...

Episode one centres around an outbreak of nits – tell us more!