Ten years on from the launch of BBC sitcom Mum, stars Lesley Manville and Peter Mullan have reflected on the enduring public affection for the slow-burn romance between their characters, Cathy and Michael. Written by Stefan Golaszewski, the show followed recently widowed Cathy and her quietly devoted friend Michael across three series, charting a gentle, believable love story between two people in their 60s. The pair say they are still regularly stopped in the street by fans wanting to discuss the relationship, underlining how rare and cherished it is for television to centre romance between older characters.

The sitcom began on the day of Cathy's husband Dave's funeral, when Michael, an old family friend, attempted to comfort her amid a chaotic gathering of relatives. Over subsequent series, small gestures—a hand grab, garden centre trips, a heartfelt admission about his late mother—gradually revealed his feelings, culminating in a rain-soaked declaration of love. The show earned multiple Bafta nominations and was praised for grounding its romance in a deep, pre-existing friendship. In the interview marking the anniversary, Manville and Mullan reminisce about first meeting at the Dinard film festival and the read-through for Mum, and discuss the strength of the fictional friendship underpinning Cathy and Michael's romance.