A new holiday comedy series starring Rowan Atkinson is creating a buzz on Netflix. Man vs. Baby, a four-part Christmas special, premiered on December 11, 2025. It brings back Trevor Bingley, the accident-prone character from Man vs. Bee, for a festive adventure filled with chaos and slapstick humor.
The show quickly reached the number one spot on Netflix in the UK within a day of its release, proving its popularity with viewers looking for lighthearted holiday fun.
The Story of Trevor Bingley and the Unexpected Baby
The story picks up with Trevor Bingley trying to live a quieter life. After the destructive events of Man vs. Bee, he works as a school caretaker in a small English village. His plans for a simple Christmas with his daughter are canceled when she and his ex-wife decide to go on a holiday trip.
To make matters worse, Trevor loses his job on the last day of school. Just as his luck seems to have run out, he gets a call offering him a lucrative house-sitting job at a luxury London penthouse. The pay is £10,000, which would solve his financial problems.
However, a major complication arises. A baby is left behind at the school’s nativity play, and with social services closed for the holidays, Trevor has no choice. He must take the baby with him to London. What follows is a series of misadventures as Trevor tries to manage a high-end apartment while secretly caring for an infant.
Fan Reactions: Laughter, Stress, and Festive Cheer
Audience reactions to the show have been strong and mixed, highlighting its ability to grab attention.
Many viewers have praised the series for delivering exactly what they wanted: easy-to-watch, physical comedy. Fans on social media called it a “masterpiece of physical comedy” and “perfect for a laugh this weekend”. One viewer noted it was a “good family watch” that even managed to pull a child away from their video game. Many long-time Atkinson fans were simply happy to see him back in action, with one stating, “Rowan Atkinson still got it”.
However, the show’s specific type of humor—where problems spiral from simple mistakes—was not for everyone. Some viewers found the constant tension stressful rather than funny. Comments like “Two episodes in and #ManVsBaby might be the most stressful thing I’ve ever watched” and “I almost threw the remote at the TV” were common among this group. A recurring point of discussion was the use of a CGI baby, which some found to be distracting or unconvincing.
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Critical Reception and How It Compares
Professional critics have described Man vs. Baby as a straightforward, undemanding comedy. Decider’s review gave the series a “STREAM IT” recommendation, suggesting it’s the kind of show you “can put on and just laugh without thinking too hard”.
The series holds an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critic reviews, indicating generally positive reception. However, some reviews pointed out that the show leans heavily into festive sentiment and product placement. The Guardian’s review was less favorable, calling it “nauseatingly schmaltzy and nonsensical” and criticizing its predictable “Cosy British Christmascore” vibe. This sentimental streak is a shift from Atkinson’s more subversive classic work like Mr. Bean or Blackadder.
Compared to its predecessor, Man vs. Bee, which scored 74% on Rotten Tomatoes, the Christmas special has a slightly higher critical score but follows a very similar formula—just swap the bee for a baby.
Cast, Crew, and Episode Guide
The series reunites the core creative team from Man vs. Bee. It was co-written by Rowan Atkinson and Will Davies, and directed by David Kerr.
Rowan Atkinson leads the cast as the beleaguered Trevor Bingley. The supporting cast includes Claudie Blakley as his ex-wife, Jess, and Alanah Bloor as his daughter, Maddy. Other notable actors featured are Nina Sosanya, Robert Bathurst, and Susannah Fielding.
The complete series is available to stream on Netflix now. The four episodes are:
- Chapter 1 (27 min): Trevor loses his job, gets the house-sitting offer, and finds himself stuck with a baby.
- Chapter 2 (24 min): Trevor arrives at the penthouse and struggles through a disastrous interview while hiding the baby.
- Chapter 3 (27 min): A mix-up with another baby in the building leads to even more confusion.
- Chapter 4 (37 min): Trevor scrambles to prepare a Christmas feast as the penthouse owners suddenly announce their return.
The entire series has a total runtime of just under two hours, making it a quick binge.
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