Real-life couple Rafe Spall and Esther Smith, stars of Apple TV's Trying, say they are frequently stopped in the street by viewers who share how the show has impacted their lives. The comedy-drama, which returns for a fifth season on July 8, follows Nikki and Jason as they navigate the challenges of raising adopted teenagers.
Viewers connect with the show's themes
Spall told Metro: 'I do meet a lot of people in the street that come up to us – Esther and I – [to] talk about the fact that they've been through issues that are represented in the show, and how much the show means to them. Whether that's dealing with the difficulty conceiving or adopting, or whatever, or people that have got families that don't look like conventional 2.5 children [set-up], it means a lot to people, and that's a great pleasure.'
Smith added: '[It] feels like a privilege in itself for someone to tell a complete stranger, i.e. me, stuff that they're going through, or have gone through, or how it might relate to them. It always puts a bit of a spring in my step. I was having a really, really bad day a few weeks ago. I was really grumpy walking through town, and this woman came up to me, and she just told me how much the show means to her and her partner. For me, it changed my day around.'
Creator's personal experience
Created by Andy Wolton, who was adopted himself, Trying has become a rare long-running British comedy on Apple TV. Spall credited the head of Apple TV's Europe division for taking a chance on the series: 'It was one of the first things that she commissioned, and you know, it's very rare this day and age that British comedy goes this long.'
Season 5 plot: Biological mother returns
The new season sees Nikki and Jason's adopted children, Princess and Tyler, now teenagers dealing with first loves and sneaking out to parties. Their family is shaken when the children's biological mother, Kat (Charlotte Riley), appears at their door. Smith explained: 'The stakes feel so much higher for Nikki, where it feels like they've been through this journey of adoption, and they've solidly got their children, they've got their family, and what's the thing that could threaten that? Well, we're going to bring one of their biological parents back into the mix and see how emotionally that's dealt with. Particularly when one of those people involved is a 17-year-old girl.'
On-set chaos and a new co-worker crush
The season opener features a theme park visit where Spall avoided a rollercoaster, but Smith didn't: 'Poor old Esther had to go on a rollercoaster, which I have to say I wouldn't have been able to do, because I hate those things,' he said. A new plotline introduces Nikki's co-worker crush Kerry, played by Colin Morgan. Smith teased: 'There was also an element with the two of them, with Kerry and Nikki, where he's obviously got this charm and is the office [hottie], but is it gonna go in that direction? There are some mice involved.'
Real-life couple bring authenticity
Smith and Spall, who met on the show and are now a couple with a young child, say their real-life relationship enhances the series. Smith noted how becoming a mother transformed her perspective: 'In a way, both Nikki and I, we've grown together, and we've both – in this journey – become mothers in our different ways. So I have a real appreciation of her journey, in that sense. Obviously, when you become a mum, that word is filled with so much, but I don't think you necessarily realise everything that it is actually filled with. There's also an element that you don't want to lose yourself within that title. I think it's so easy to lose yourself within that, and you're wondering: "If I take the mom hat off, who am I? Where am I growing? What am I doing?"'
Spall added: 'I get to hang out with my favourite person all day, and whether that's in our house or on set, it's all good to me. The great thing about being at work with her is that I'm reminded of what a fantastic talent she is, and she's one of the best people I've ever acted opposite.'
Trying season five premieres on Apple TV on Wednesday, July 8, with episodes releasing weekly.
