Workin' Moms is one of those shows that has quietly flown under the radar. But now in its sixth season, the Canadian sitcom headed up by Catherine Reitman, who also created, wrote, and directed the series, has enthralled viewers.
Its raw, unadulterated look at life for mothers who still hold down demanding careers, and the pressures they face, is relatable. While it sometimes takes stories in very dramatic directions, the hilariously exaggerated stories might hit close to home for some. And while the main cast makes the show what it is, there's also a talented cast of side characters who make it worth watching as well.
Jenny Matthews
Jenny started off as one of the core moms and main characters on the show. But as the season progressed, she faded to the background. Much like can happen in real life, her friendship with the other moms didn't endure. After her marriage fell apart and it was clear she was more of a reluctant than doting mom, Jenny took a different path.
Her story is one that isn't explored much on television, a mother who seemed almost to regret having her child. She itched for freedom and the carefree lifestyle she once had. While she comes across flaky and awful at times – Jenny from Workin' Moms would easily be a Slytherin in Hogwarts - her representation of a different kind of mom most shows shy away from makes her a compelling character.
Eleanor Galperin
Every working mother has a mother of her own who can be judgemental and overstep boundaries, and that is Eleanor in this series, Kate's mother. She pops in every now and then to give her two cents on situations, help babysit, and discuss her own sordid life.
She isn't the doting grandmother who lives for her grandkids, even though she sometimes comes across as though she wants to be. Rather, she's a widowed mother simply looking to carve her own path in her golden years. That said, it doesn't stop Eleanor from meddling in her daughter's life, often to hilarious results.
Alicia Rutherford
There's always one mom in the "mom group" who other moms loathe. On this show, it's Alicia. She is only seen sparingly in in the later seasons now that the kids have graduated to school age from babies, but she personifies the annoying, know-it-all mom who always seems to know better than everyone else.
She did things her own way, which she always felt was the right way. She judged and looked down on the liberal, foul-mouthed ladies. That was demonstrated when she questioned Anne on air about her book and parenting methods. Deeply conservative, the main character moms cringe whenever they cross paths with Alicia, which makes her an unconventional villain, but one that's reflective of the ones working moms often encounter.
Rosie Phillips
Any working mother needs someone they can count on in the office, and for Kate, that's Rosie. A young, single and ambitious woman, Rosie works dutifully as Kate's assistant. She does whatever is asked of her, often going the extra mile to help Kate succeed since she knows, in turn, that means she succeeds.
While Rosie is desperate to find love herself, her being single allows her to focus a lot of energy on Kate and the business. It's difficult to imagine Kate managing to run her company without Rosie.
Giselle Bois
Giselle was seen more often in the first seasons when she was married to Frankie. After their divorce, she is seen occasionally when the storyline involves their daughter Rhoda. While Frankie is the wild and emotional one who also suffered from postpartum depression in one of the most relatable storylines on Workin' Moms, Giselle is the opposite: level-headed and risk-averse, always trying to keep Frankie on the right path.
Further, Giselle represents the mother who wants the best for her child and will do whatever it takes to get it. This was the case when she went through hoops to try and get Rhoda into a special arts school when she realized she had a talent for drawing.
Sloane Mitchell
Every business owner knows what it is like to deal with a difficult client who causes a lot of grief but is worth too much to give up. Sloane represents the very person every working mother secretly despises: she has no attachments (though it's later revealed she does have a daughter she doesn't have custody of), lives a lavish life, and has had the time and ability to grow her personal wealth. And while she goes out of her way to make things difficult for Kate, the PR company owner needs her business.
Sloane has whatever what she wants at her fingertips, from fancy dinners to the best fashion and accessories. But deep down, there's a loneliness that fans get to see from time to time, suggesting that Sloane might need Kate and her friendship more than she does her business.
Richard Greenwood
Although he might not be the most intelligent character on Workin' Moms, Richard had the sense to leave his job and work for Kate. While he was once her boss, having him work for her after she started her own successful PR firm is the type of storyline every working mother loves to see.
Richard doesn’t seem threatened by or resentful of Kate's success nor the role reversal. Rather, he's happy to play second fiddle for a company he feels better working for. Even when he was Kate's boss, Richard tried to understand the challenges of the working mother, which some might say is a rarity.
Juniper
Juniper adds some comic relief to the series, perfectly representing a "new generation" young woman who isn't quite sure who or what she wants to be and just coasts along. Thankfully, she found Frankie, who made it her mission to get Juniper on the right track. In turn, Juniper seemed to do as much for Frankie, not only helping her get through a divorce, but with childcare as well.
While the two first had a romantic fling, their relationship blossomed into a deep, platonic friendship. It's an interesting representation of motherhood in a different sense as Frankie eventually takes on a mentorship role with the young woman.
Alice Carlson
Anne is the one mom on the show who also has a teenager. Thus, fans get to see not only the challenges of raising a young baby while trying to hold down a career, but while also raising a pubescent young woman.
While some fans might not like Alice and her openly defiant nature, she demonstrates what some moms of teenagers go through. They experience everything from bullying to relationship troubles, hormonal attitude changes, and anger. Seeing that even Anne, who is a licensed therapist, has trouble navigating the relationship with her daughter makes other moms feel better about their own situations.
Val Szalinsky
At first just the woman who ran the mommy and me sessions for new and expectant mothers, Val slowly inserted herself into the women's lives, desperate to be their friend. Her overly cheery, positive, and calm demeanor in the classes made it seem like she knew exactly what to do to foster a child's development. But it turned out that her own teenage sons were disasters.
While the moms initially tried to brush Val off, including at a retreat in one of the most unnecessary storylines on Workin' Moms, they soon warmed to her, realizing there was more than meets the eye. What makes Val so funny is that her sunny disposition is a complete façade, and in direct contrast to her seemingly dark past, raunchy lifestyle, and parenting style.