Trying Season 5 Review (Apple TV)
One of Britain’s most underrated comedies is back for season 5! Created by Andy Wolton, Trying is full of heartfelt hilarity, following Nikki (Esther Smith) and Jason (Rafe Spall), a couple who desperately want to become parents but struggle to conceive. Determined to start a family, they decide to adopt, with the series charting the highs and lows of the adoption process and the challenges that come with parenthood.
In season five, we find Nikki and Jason dealing with a sudden addition to the family as Princess (Scarlett Rayner) and Tyler’s (Cooper Turner) biological mother, Kat (Charlotte Riley), turns up at their doorstep, bringing a whirlwind of chaos into their finally settled family life.
As is the case with many Apple TV originals, Trying is a hidden gem. While it’s funny in all the right places, it also has a real understanding of familial relationships, not just within Nikki and Jason’s household, but in the lives of those around them too. The newest season continues to embrace that strength, balancing heartfelt family dynamics with its signature humour. The season also touches on the lives of Nikki’s sister Karen (Siân Brooke), as she reaches a breaking point with her husband Scott’s (Darren Boyd) eccentric projects, and her parents, John (Roderick Smith) and Jilly (Marian McLoughlin), who remain as devoted to each other as ever. It also spends time with Jason’s dad, Vic (Phil Davis), whose handyman business is suddenly booming, but who remains just as dedicated to his family despite his newfound success.
With five seasons and a time jump under its belt, it’s difficult to maintain the charm and momentum of the earlier seasons while also tackling fresh situations, meaning the new season started a little rockier than I’d hoped. Yet, almost as quickly as I began to question where things were heading, it redeemed itself with the emotional lessons and heartfelt bonds that the series has become so loved for. What makes the story so easy to fall in love with is its refusal to rely on drama but instead to find meaning in the smaller moments that any family may be experiencing, grounding the show and making the new season relatable for any family, not just those who have adopted.
Smith and Spall‘s chemistry as Nikki and Jason is brilliant, delivering a realistic portrayal of a couple rather than simply a romanticised one. With two teenagers and a wonderfully chaotic family, they must navigate their children growing up, first crushes, and the bombshell arrival of their birth mother, all while managing their own relationship and the distractions that come with it. The result is one of the most authentic portrayals of a married couple on television, whilst still retaining the perfectly timed comedic moments that Trying is known for.
Yet the supporting cast proves that this is more than just Nikki and Jason’s story, with each character bringing their own challenges and perspectives on family life. Brooke’s portrayal of Karen stood out this season, with her character given a strong arc of her own as she reaches breaking point with her husband Scott’s ideas and projects, while also raising her daughter and making friends for the first time. Ultimately, the show makes clear that, despite what each character may be going through individually, they will always show up for their family.
Whilst it may take a little time to find its rhythm, season five still delivers the warmth, emotional honesty and moments of hilarity that Trying is known for. It may not always be perfect, but it remains one of the best feel-good British comedies, showcasing the raw yet real journey many families may experience, but which isn’t often shown on TV.
★★★★
Streaming on Apple TV from July 8th / Esther Smith, Rafe Spall, Scarlett Rayner, Cooper Turner, Scarlett Riley, Darren Boyd, Siân Brooke, Celia Imrie, Phil Davis, Gbemisola Ikumelo, Colin Morgan / Apple TV
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