Our 15 Favorite TV Moms to Celebrate Mother’s Day
It’s Mother’s Day, and what better way to celebrate than by watching your favorite TV moms? Motherhood is as diverse as the women who experience it. There’s no rule book and, as you'll see with the moms we’ve chosen, it's not about perfection but about showing up. Pop Culture Planet’s Makkedah Ramsey and Danielle Forte have curated a list of the moms from the screen who are always there for you.
The Fosters: Stef and Lena Adam Foster
Stef and Lena Adams Foster (Teri Polo and Sherri Saum) were nothing if not the most dedicated, caring, and loving parents. Families come in so many different forms and this type of representation on television is not only super important but super rare. They taught us about acceptance, forgiveness, and unconditional love. As the song goes, “It's not where you come from, it's where you belong.”
That ’70s Show: Kitty Forman
Portrayed by Debro Jo Rupp, Kitty Forman is the mother of all mothers — literally. The Gang could always rely on Kitty, come hell or high water, for snacks, advice, or a much deserved talking to. She holds a special place in our hearts.
The Vampire Diaries: Liz Forbes
Liz Forbes (Marguerite MacIntyre) is a mom I thought I would hate but, in the end, could not get enough of. Her character was meant to be a badass workaholic sheriff, but she was a mother first — even if Caroline didn’t always feel that. Her death was probably one of the saddest in Vampire Diaries history, but the growth of her relationship with Caroline was healing and beautiful. Liz Forbes doesn’t get the love she deserves, so today we honor her.
Modern Family: Claire Dunphy and Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen) is unapologetically herself. Whether that’s parenting and protecting her children, tenaciously building herself a career, or keeping the spark alive in her relationship with husband Phil Dunphy, Claire always goes all out. And above all else, our girl loves a good Halloween scare. What’s not to love?
And then there is the iconic Gloria Delgado-Pritchett. Beauty, brains, and an amazing mother to Manny and Joe… and just about everyone else on the show. Sofía Vergara plays Gloria as a woman who is not to be messed with, but don’t be fooled, she loves her sons and step-children more than anything in the world.
The Summer I Turned Pretty: Laurel Park and Susannah Fisher
We all want to hang out with these two, have a beer, and smoke a little. Laurel and Susannah’s (Jackie Chung and Rachel Blanchard) friendship makes them even better mothers. Sometimes we give parents this hierarchy, not realizing they are just as screwed up and messy as the rest of us but their friendship humanizes them. These moms aren’t picture-perfect, but they show their children the value of relationships through their loyalty and commitment to each other.
Fresh Off the Boat: Jessica Huang
Resourceful and quick-witted, Jessica Huang, played by Constance Wu, is not to be messed with. Even after immigrating to the United States, children in tow, Jessica managed to keep it together, raise a family, and figure out life in a new country all while being a badass mom.
Bridgerton: Portia Featherington
Let’s be honest, this is not who you were expecting, but we need to give Lady Featherington (Polly Walker) her flowers. In season 2, she truly showed us what kind of women she is. Love her or hate her, never forget Portia knows what it means to make sacrifices for her family. While it may seem selfish at first, when you get a really good look at her she is not just a “tasteless and tackless mama”
Stranger Things: Joyce Byers
Joyce Byers, played by Winona Ryder, is the epitome of what it means to be a great mother. She loves her children endlessly and quite literally would do anything for them. We’re talking even communicating with her son via lights while he’s in a parallel dimension. On top of that, she works long hours to provide for them. If there’s anyone who could use a spa day this Mother’s Day, it’s Joyce Byers.
All American: Grace James
This woman oozes elegance and class, but she is also fierce. Raising two sons all alone in the streets of Crenshaw, helping them cope with the loss of their father and guiding them as young Black men in this world, is not for the weak, and Ms. James (Karimah Westbrook) does an excellent job. Her power is not just in the way she commands respect, but in the way she shows love and compassion. She is a perfect representation of Black motherhood! I think we all need a little Grace James in our lives.
Breaking Bad: Skyler White
Justice for Skyler White! Anna Gunn’s character, Skyler White, has been notoriously noted as one of the most hated women on TV, but we’re giving her some much needed love on this Mother’s Day. This woman not only protected her children from a drug lord and might I add, a lunatic, but was an absolute badass defending and protecting herself while never backing down. I love you, Skyler, never change.
Ginny and Georgia: Georgia Miller
Georgia Miller, played by Brianne Howey, has to be one of the best moms on TV right now, hands down. There’s only one person who doesn’t know exactly how great Georgia is, and that’s Ginny. But Georgia is everything, not because of her beauty, but because of her heart. She’ll do literally anything to protect her kids, even if it’s a bit unorthodox. There is so much darkness in her past, it’s a surprise she has managed such light.
Schitt’s Creek: Moira Rose
Was Moira (Catherine O’Hara) always the best mother she could be to her children Alexis and David? Maybe not. Did she give her children style and force them to build character? Absolutely, and we love her for that. She also made up for lost time very quickly, including cooking with David and giving us all some great advice in the process — you just fold it in!
