Key Highlights
- Olivia and Alex Bowen will star in a new ITV series called “Parenthood.”
- The couple lost one of their twins during pregnancy and were not entitled to bereavement leave.
- A recent change in law now allows parents to take time off to grieve before 12 weeks of pregnancy loss.
- Olivia Bowen advocates for more parental leave, particularly for men.
New ITV Series “Parenthood” Explores Realities of Modern Parenting
In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, TV stars Olivia and Alex Bowen have shared their emotional journey through parenthood. The couple will be starring in a new ITV series titled “Parenthood,” which aims to provide insight into the challenges and joys of raising children.
Personal Grief: A Twin Tragedy
The Bowens’ story takes on an extra layer of poignancy, as they recently lost one of their twins during pregnancy. Speaking candidly about this heartbreaking experience, Olivia revealed the legal challenges they faced. “But there used to be no law on that about how long you had,” she said. “We lost the baby at seven weeks, normally that wouldn’t be considered a bereavement, and you wouldn’t be allowed time off to grieve.”
A Landmark Change in Bereavement Leave Law
This situation highlighted an existing gap in British law, where parents were not entitled to time off if their pregnancy ended before 12 weeks. However, recent changes have addressed this issue. “They’ve recently changed that, so parents do have time to grieve their babies that you lose before 12 weeks,” Olivia explained. “Parents experience grief from the minute they find out they’re pregnant, if they lose a baby you experience grief, you feel that.”
Olivia’s advocacy for this change is personal and heartfelt: “I’d love to see there be no divide, whether it’s a woman or a male taking time off. It would be nice to see some more equality in that so that everyone can have the same amount of time.”
More Parental Leave Needed?
While the new bereavement leave law is welcome, Olivia believes that further changes are necessary. “Women go through so much, and men are missing out on their kids,” she added. “Read more: Awkward moment Brooklyn Beckham dodges question about mum Victoria Read more: ‘I watched first episode of Strictly – BBC made huge mistake after change’” She argues for a review of paternity leave to allow fathers more time with their newborns, stating that three weeks is insufficient.
Olivia’s perspective is part of a broader conversation around parental leave policies. In July 2025, the UK government initiated an 18-month long review of its parental leave system. The review aims to address issues such as the duration and availability of leave for both mothers and fathers.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
The Bowens will continue to explore the complexities of modern parenthood in their new series, which premieres on ITVX and ITV2 from Sunday 12th October. Their journey reflects not only personal struggles but also societal shifts surrounding family life. “There is currently an 18-month long review of the UK’s parental leave,” Olivia noted, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to improve support for parents.
As the series delves into their lives as a new family of four, it promises to offer valuable insights and perhaps drive further discussions on how society can better support those navigating parenthood. “We lost one of the twins, it was really hard, but we’re lucky that we’re self-employed and were able to take the time to grieve and have each other,” Olivia concluded, reflecting both her personal story and the broader narrative of modern family life.
