Rafe Spall and his real-life partner Esther Smith, who co-star in Apple TV's Trying, have opened up about the experience of playing on-screen parents while raising their own child together off-screen. As the show's fifth series draws to a close, the couple shared how they manage working and living together.
Life imitating art
In a case of life imitating art, Rafe and Esther — who play adoptive parents Nikki and Jason — have had their first child together in real life, four years after becoming romantically involved. Esther, who turns 40 next month, told the Radio Times: "It's funny to spend all day calling each other different names, then go home and be Esther and Rafe."
Rafe, 43, the son of acting legend Timothy Spall, admitted: "Because we were doing this show a long time before we became romantic partners, we already had a very familiar shorthand."
Not taking work home
When asked if they take their characters home, Rafe replied: "We learn our lines together, but that's it. A lot of the time, actors take their characters home just because they feel they should be doing something. Each to their own, but it's not for me."
Rafe also has three children with his ex-wife, actress Elize du Toit.
About 'Trying'
British comedy Trying was created by Andy Wolton and is a co-production between Apple TV+ and BBC. The first series premiered in May 2020 on Apple TV+. All five series are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The series follows Nikki and Jason, a couple who want to become parents but struggle with conceiving a child. They decide to adopt, only to face a whole list of new challenges and surprises that come with the adoption process.
Secret Service role
Rafe was recently seen by fans in a very different role when he starred opposite Gemma Arterton in ITV's spy drama Secret Service, based on the novel by newsreader Tom Bradby. The five-part series — now available on ITVX — delves into the espionage world amid mounting tensions between the UK and Russia.
A synopsis for the programme stated: "The drama follows senior MI6 officer Kate Henderson (Gemma). On the surface, her life appears ordinary - a civil servant married to Stuart (Rafe) with two teenage children. However, to those who don't know her well, Kate's true role is heading the Russia Desk at the Secret Intelligence Service. When her undercover operations reveal alarming evidence that a high-ranking UK politician may be a Russian asset, Kate finds herself in a desperate race to uncover their identity." It adds: "As a brutal murder thrusts her team into the spotlight, Kate must navigate the dangerous world of espionage while trying to hold her family together and protect her reputation."
Rafe and Esther's interview appears in this week's Radio Times, a football special to mark the return of the Premier League. Trying is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and Secret Service is on ITVX.
