Plot Synopsis

Based on the short film of the same name by series star Frankie Shaw, SMILF is a half-hour dark comedy series that tells the semi-autobiographical tale of Southie native Bridgette Bird, a working-class single mom struggling to give her three-year-old son Larry Bird the best life she can -- or at least a step up from her own. Bridgette juggles many part-time jobs to make ends meet, while harboring secret longings to play professional basketball. Her stubborn mom, Tutu, fetishizes "the way things used to be," yet suffers from her own long-buried emotional trauma. Bridgette's ex and baby daddy, Rafi, is a recovering addict with a never-ending supply of good will and get-rich-quick schemes. His new relationship with the glamorous, always on-trend sportscaster Nelson Rose Taylor provides a new source of conflict in their otherwise functional co-parenting relationship. At work, Bridgette endures her unstable boss, Ally, who struggles with boundary issues and a crippling desire for self-betterment. Away from the job, Eliza is Bridgette's level-headed, real-talking best friend, and Father Eddie is the parish priest with a genuine, borderline unhealthy love for Bridgette's entire family. Adapting her Sundance Jury Prize winning short film, Shaw executive produces, writes, directs and stars in this raw look at the challenges of doing it on your own, particularly when you aren't done growing up yourself. Plus, the show explores issues of generational dysfunction, class, race, politics, sexual violence, co-parenting and above all, the possibility for a young broke single mom to dream of something better.

Season 2 of SMILF premiered on Sunday, January 20, 2019 at 10:35pm ET/PT on Showtime. Filmed on location in Boston, this season finds Bridgette trying to move forward and focus on her future, while attempting to exorcise old ghosts and atone for past misdeeds. She's still toiling away in her day job working for narcissistic boss Ally. Meanwhile, Bridgette's mother Tutu rallies from a heartbreaking setback punctuated by the presence of her co-dependent younger sister Jackie (guest star Sherie Rene Scott). Ex-boyfriend Rafi and his girlfriend Nelson Rose grow closer, while Eliza deals with her own family drama. Viewers will also go back in time to witness the highly unconventional birth of Bridgette's beloved son, Larry. In the season opener, "Shit Man, I've Literally Failed," Bridgette's search for her father leads her to Philadelphia and back home again as she loses the key to his whereabouts. Tutu's decision to leave Larry alone with Joe unexpectedly leads both Bridgette and Tutu on a path to close the door on their pasts. Season 2 guest stars include: Melanie Griffith as Nelson Rose's free-spirited mother Enid; Claudia O'Doherty as Nelson's disillusioned sister, Winnie; and Ally Sheedy as Bridgette's midwife, Fiona. Additional guest stars include Stormy Daniels, Ari Graynor and Dan Aid. Mark Webber, Bodega Bamz, Blake Clark, Kimberley Crossman and Mia Kaplan return as guest stars. Shaw also directs several episodes. Other directors this season include Kerry Washington and Cate Shortland.
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On Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 10:30pm ET/PT, Showtime premiered the series finale of SMILF. In the season ender, "Single Mom Is Looking (for) Family," Bridgette and Nelson address their growing concerns over Rafi. Tutu throws a birthday party for Larry. Eliza reconsiders her medical future.