Real-life couple Rafe Spall and Esther Smith ‘stopped in the street’ over TV show

Apple TV’s Trying is back for a fifth season as Nikki and Jason tackle the troubles facing their adopted teens – and all the complications that come with it.

For the past six years, real-life couple Esther Smith and Rafe Spall have played the parents at the heart of this show, whose journey starts with infertility as they look to adoption to grow their family.

The show has offered a wealth of representation for those with unconventional family set-ups, and neither Esther nor Rafe underestimate the impact it’s had, as they tell Metro.

Created by Andy Wolton, himself adopted, this tear-jerking comedy-drama has taken us through the highs and lows of the British adoption system, not shying away from the messiness and the heartbreak, but ultimately infusing the show with a message of hope and love.

Rafe shares: ‘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.’

Esther echoes Rafe’s gratitude, 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. 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.’

Rafe credits the head of Apple TV’s Europe division for taking a chance on Trying in the first place and backing it all the way, something he believes is a sight for sore eyes in the TV comedy landscape these days.

It always puts a bit of a spring in my step

‘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,’ he adds.

As we careen into a new season, Nikki and Jason’s two children, Princess and Tyler, have entered the fray of teenhood and everything that comes with it, from first loves to sneaking out to parties.

Especially in the new episodes, their tight-knit family is shaken when Princess and Tyler’s biological mum, Kat (Charlotte Riley), rocks up to their front door, and they are forced to navigate what family means and how we show up for them in the big and small ways.

Of course, there’s plenty of chaos to look forward to this season as well, with the opener plunging them into a theme park where Rafe managed to avoid physically getting onto a rollercoaster, although Esther wasn’t so lucky.

‘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 clarifies.

As for why they decided to take the series in this direction, Esther deferred to Andy’s trusty vision, borne from experience, as she reflects: ‘[The show] could have gone anywhere, really.

‘It’s such an interesting thing to explore, because the stakes feel so much higher for Nicky, 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. Not quite a woman, [still a] teenager.’

And, beyond the emotional turmoil, there’s also a juicy new plotline featuring Nikki’s new co-worker crush Kerry (played by Colin Morgan).

One thing is for sure: viewers will be left guessing exactly how it will all unfold.

‘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?’ she teases before mysteriously adding: ‘There are some mice involved.’

So, take from that what you will.

I get to hang out with my favourite person all day

What enhances the entire show is the fact that Esther and Rafe, having met on the show, are now a real-life couple and share a young child.

Certainly, becoming a mother totally transformed Esther’s perspective on filming and how she approached 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.

‘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?”‘ she shares.

Meanwhile, having those he loves dearest on this TV adventure with him has fuelled Rafe.

‘Last season was our first season doing it together as a couple, and now there’s another one of us who comes around with us.

‘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,’ he praises.

Trying season five premieres on Apple TV on Wednesday, July 8, with episodes releasing weekly.