Apple TV's Trying returns for a fifth season, following Nikki and Jason as they navigate the challenges of raising adopted teenagers. Real-life couple Esther Smith and Rafe Spall, who play the leads, say the show's authentic portrayal of adoption and infertility continues to strike a chord with audiences.
Impact on viewers
Rafe Spall shared that he and Esther are frequently stopped in the street by fans who relate to the show's themes. '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,' he told Metro. '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.'
Esther Smith echoed his sentiments, adding: '[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.' She recalled a particularly bad day when a woman approached her: 'She just told me how much the show means to her and her partner. For me, it changed my day around.'
Season 5 plot and new challenges
The new season sees Nikki and Jason's adopted children, Princess and Tyler, entering their teenage years, dealing with first loves and sneaking out. Their family is shaken when the children's biological mother, Kat (played by Charlotte Riley), arrives at their doorstep. Esther Smith explained: 'It’s such an interesting thing to explore, because 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.'
The season also introduces a new co-worker crush, Kerry (Colin Morgan), adding further tension. Esther 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.'
Behind the scenes: real-life couple dynamics
Esther and Rafe, who met on the show and now share a child, say their real-life relationship enhances their on-screen chemistry. Rafe said: '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.'
Esther noted that becoming a mother transformed her approach to her character. '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.' She added: '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?”'
Creator's vision and show's longevity
Created by Andy Wolton, who is himself adopted, Trying has been praised for its honest depiction of the British adoption system. Rafe credited Apple TV's Europe head for taking a chance on the show: '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 of Trying premieres on Apple TV on Wednesday, July 8, with episodes releasing weekly.
