Stars Rob Delaney and Sharon Horgan had an immediate hit on their hands when they created the comedy series “Catastrophe,” a story of two people who form an unlikely connection after Sharon (Horgan) gets pregnant after a one-night stand. Though the show is already great, it’s improved by Carrie Fisher’s mere presence. Fisher plays Mia Norris, mother to Delaney’s Rob, who lives in America and is initially befuddled as to why her son is moving to London to start a family with a woman he barely knows. But as Rob and Sharon’s relationship becomes real, Mia is a source of wisdom, particularly regarding Rob’s alcoholism.
Mia knows that Rob is an alcoholic, and when he starts drinking again during Season 3, she’s stern but loving. “You never could drink,” she tells her son. “Why is it going to be any different now?” She also tells Rob that she’ll defend Sharon against him — “If you ever hit Sharon, I’ll f**king kill you” — and opens up about Rob’s father, who was also an alcoholic and physically abused her on multiple occasions. When Rob gets into a car crash at the end of the season, he hits rock bottom and takes his mother’s advice to get sober again … but because Fisher passed away while the show was still filming, its fourth and final season includes a devastating and touching funeral for Mia, serving as a send-off for Fisher as well.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
