On its surface, Apple TV+’s new British comedy series, Trying, is about a young couple and their unsuccessful efforts to have a child and start a family. And while the notion of kids and the difficulties and pleasures they bring is front and center every episode, the series, from writer Andy Wolton, is also a stealthy comedy about growing up and accepting the challenges and rewards that adulthood has to offer. That fairly broad conceit is made more palatable by terrific lead performances from Esther Smith and Rafe Spall, both of whom deliver charismatic takes on a young couple who sometimes inadvertently wear their flaws on their sleeves.
The series will appeal to anyone who enjoyed Catastrophe or New Girl, and especially anyone who loved Gavin and Stacey — though it lacks the caustic edge of Catastrophe and the delightful absurdity of New Girl. Instead, Trying offers a fairly grounded take on modern love and how two people can change and be changed by a relationship that, despite some evidence to the contrary, is maybe the best thing they have going for them.
The eight-episode series is the latest comedy Apple plans to drop all at once, making for a satisfying binge-watch similar to the tech company’s most successful and entertaining original series to date: Mythic Quest: Raven’s Banquet. Like that series, Trying is built to be binged with episodes coming in at around the 30-minute mark and following an overarching narrative that nevertheless leaves plenty of room for individual episodes to step well outside the concerns Nikki (Smith) and Jason (Spall) have with regard to their future and possible future children. For example, an early episode details the couples’ struggles to conceive and subsequent desire to begin the long, grueling process of adoption, only to introduce Cush Jumbo as one of Jason’s exes who paints a less than rosy picture of his past behavior.
The end result of exploring the motivations and backgrounds of its characters, rather than relentlessly trod the same child-centric story threads, is a more well-rounded comedy that empathizes with its leads but isn’t afraid to show them at their worst. To be fair, Jason and Nikki’s worst is about as bad as Catastrophe’s characters on their absolute best behavior, but it nevertheless makes them feel remarkably human, something too few comedies can convincingly pull off. And, by not relying on many familiar baby-fever storylines, Trying never tries the patience of its audience, as Nikki and Jason’s struggles — and their fitful efforts to embrace adulthood — come off as exaggerated but relatable and funny enough to keep you watching.
Although Trying has an ideal couple in Smith and Spall, it also boasts an impressive supporting cast that includes the aforementioned Jumbo, Ophelia Lovibond (Elementary) as a pregnant friend of Nikki’s, Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter), and Darren Boyd (Fortitude) as the unemployed boyfriend of Nikki’s older sister. The expansive cast eases the burden on the leads, but also shines a light on why they are the way they are. Jason’s parents, in particular, offer some insight into both his seemingly innate kindness and the less-than-appealing aspects of his personality prior to getting involved with Nikki. At the same time, Nikki’s relationship with her sister suggests her qualifications as a mother, while also hinting that she still has plenty of growing up to do.
In essence, Trying works because of its tremendous cast and its sweet but never cloying approach to maturity, relationships, and, of course, parenthood. Striking the right tone between those elements is key to the show’s success and is demonstrated early on in a very sitcom-y scenario involving a list of personal shortcomings winding up in the couple’s adoption application packet. Instead of both characters losing their minds trying to undo a fairly benign mistake or damage their relationship by devolving into a petty blame game, Trying uses the mishap to illustrate Nikki and Jason’s resolve and the sense of togetherness that’s likely going to get them through the many obstacles they have yet to face.
Though it lacks the laugh-out-loud silliness of Mythic Quest, Trying is a welcome addition to the growing catalog of original content from Apple TV+. Smith and Spall are ridiculously charming and help elevate a familiar-sounding premise to something unexpectedly appealing and funny.
Trying premieres Friday, May 1 on Apple TV+.
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