Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe S12 EP36: Jessica Hynes
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May 8, 2026 
Jessica Hynes, actress, writer and director famous for Spaced and The Royle Family, chats about juggling early fame with new parenthood. She talks about writing and filming near home, moving back to Devon for family life, imaginative play with kids, setting teen boundaries, and her Channel 4 drama Patience featuring an autistic lead.
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Having A Newborn While Breakthrough Shows Took Off
- Jessica Hynes described having her first child at 25 while starring in breakthrough shows Spaced and The Royal Family.
- She recalled juggling newborn care with writing and filming, sometimes bringing the baby to set and working from a nearby office while writing the second Spaced series.
Choose A Simple Repeat Holiday For Less Stress
- Do pick a simple, reliable holiday spot to reduce stress and build lasting family memories.
- Jessica recommends returning to the same cottage or resort so kids know routines and parents relax quickly.
Serial Baby Hugger In Public Queues
- Jessica admitted she loved babies and would often offer to hold other people's babies in queues or on flights.
- Her children now tell her to leave babies alone because she's so eager to approach them.