Trying
Trying
Now Showing

Trying

"Together they're a family."

7.6
Yr 2020
Status Returning Series
Comedy
Your Verdict
Unrated

Rate this show to unlock picks like it. Create a free account.

Back
Series Brief

Overview

All Nikki and Jason want is a baby—the one thing they can't have. So they decide to adopt. With their dysfunctional friends, screwball families, and chaotic lives, will the adoption panel agree that they're ready to be parents?

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 86 /100

Trying won over critics as a warm, funny, and deeply empathetic comedy. Reviewers praised the show for tackling the emotional complexities of fertility and adoption with genuine heart, highlighting the balance struck between relatable realism and feel-good comedic charm. Central to this success is the chemistry between leads Esther Smith and Rafe Spall, whose intimate, loving banter anchors the series through its chaotic and tender moments.

Critics also applauded the show's nuanced and authentic handling of the adoption system. Additional acclaim went to the supporting cast, particularly Imelda Staunton in her role as an eccentric social worker, with multiple reviewers pointing to her performance as a standout highlight of the series.

“a hilarious, life-affirming delight”

“offers a refreshingly nuanced take on the realities of adoption”

“That social worker, played by a fizzy Imelda Staunton, turns out to be a highlight of the series.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

Apple TV
US • CA • UK
Apple TV Amazon Channel
US • CA • UK
BBC iPlayer
UK
Next Signal

Similar Shows

The Baby
The Baby
2022
Shared people: 1
Weekend Family
Weekend Family
2022
Screwballs
Screwballs
2025
Show 5 more
My Family
My Family
2025
We Are All Trying Here
We Are All Trying Here
2026
Single Papa
Single Papa
2025
Superstore
Superstore
2015
Wylde Pak
Wylde Pak
2025
See all similar shows →
Tune In

Want personalized picks like these?

Create a free account, rate a few shows, and we’ll tune recommendations to your taste.

Create a free account
Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 4
Longest run 40 eps
Rafe Spall
Rafe Spall
as Jason
40 episodes
Esther Smith
Esther Smith
as Nikki
40 episodes
Ophelia Lovibond
Ophelia Lovibond
as Erica
24 episodes
Oliver Chris
Oliver Chris
as Freddy
27 episodes
Yasmine Holness-Dove
Yasmine Holness-Dove
as Olivia
8 episodes
Scarlett Rayner
Scarlett Rayner
as Princess
16 episodes
Cooper Turner
as Tyler
16 episodes
Tarik Mesfun
Tarik Mesfun
as Eliaz
2 episodes
Show 67 more
Sophie Fletcher as SAM 1 episode Elodie Blomfield as Hazel 1 episode Paula Wilcox as Sandra Ross 2 episodes Sian Brooke as Karen 13 episodes Darren Boyd as Scott 12 episodes Diana Pozharskaya as Sofia 1 episode Cush Jumbo as Jane 2 episodes Robyn Cara as Jen 4 episodes Imelda Staunton as Penny 2 episodes Billie Gadsdon as Chloe 1 episode Phoenix Laroche as Ethan 1 episode Simon Bubb as Dan 1 episode James Doherty as Terry 3 episodes Brig Bennett as Dee 1 episode Marian McLoughlin as Jilly 7 episodes Kenneth Cranham as Barry 1 episode Roderick Smith as John 6 episodes Clare Higgins as Bev 1 episode Paul Kaye as Lenny 1 episode Aidan Cheng as Vicar 1 episode Phil Davis as Vic 9 episodes Matilda Flower as Stevie 5 episodes Yvonne D'Alpra as Gloria 1 episode Bradley John as Barman 1 episode Javone Prince as Anthony 3 episodes Jim Broadbent as George 1 episode David Kapfunde as Theo 2 episodes Nathan Welsh as Hassan 2 episodes Lucy Heath as Eve 1 episode Rebecca Yeo as Hairdresser Kat 1 episode Jonathan Kydd as Doorman 1 episode Gillian Axtell as Sylvie 1 episode Ruxandra Porojnicu as Therapist 1 episode Lu Corfield as Sally Trent 1 episode Borislava Stratieva as Svitlana 1 episode Karl Collins as Noah 2 episodes Susannah Wise as Denise 1 episode Bruce Mackinnon as Ben 1 episode Tian-Lan Chaudhry as Miss Kee 1 episode Nicola Wright as Carolyn 1 episode Bertie Taylor Smith as Air Steward 1 episode Meghan Treadway as Molly 1 episode Dominique Moore as Shelley 1 episode Julio Arnau as Spanish Man 1 episode Charlotte Riley as Kat 4 episodes Judy Holt as English Neighbour 1 episode Pablo Scola as Spanish Bartender 1 episode Sienna Sayer as Kelly 1 episode Oscar Wallwork as Max 1 episode Stephanie Levi-John as Sarah 1 episode D'Angelou Osei-Kissiedu as Michael 1 episode Matthew Spencer as Mark 1 episode Anita Booth as Barbara 1 episode Carol Walton as Debbie 1 episode Alex Ranganathan as Sam 1 episode Ava Talbot as Lauren 6 episodes Ian Barritt as Judgey Man 1 episode Sandra Huggett as Theresa 1 episode Christina Ngoyi as Theme Park Woman 1 episode Zina Badran as Sarah 1 episode Deven Modha as Michael 1 episode Emily Laing as Sharon 1 episode Lorna Shaw as Maria 1 episode Branka Katić as Nadya 2 episodes Colin Morgan as Kerry 2 episodes Danielle Vitalis as Mia 2 episodes Janine Harouni as Bonnie 2 episodes
Production Board

Crew

Songs
Kev Jones Orla Gartland
Original Music Composer
Peter Jobson Paul Saunderson Guy Garvey
Editor
Nick Ames Joe Randall-Cutler Mark Thornton Emma Collins Andy Kinnear
Co-Producer
Tim Mannion
Executive Producer
Josh Cole Andy Wolton Rafe Spall
Writer
Oriane Messina Andy Wolton
Producer
Emma Lawson
First Assistant Director
Sam Smith
Director of Photography
Greg Duffield Jonas Mortensen
Vocals
Lily Somerville
Line Producer
Aden Turner Georgia Hogan Joel Stokes
Creator
Andy Wolton
Director
Elliot Hegarty Ollie Parsons
Makeup Artist
Georgia Turner
Visual Effects Producer
Diane Kingston
Music Supervisor
Catherine Grimes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where Trying overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

adoption parenthood cynical aggressive arrogant authoritarian harsh mean spirited
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
May 01, 2020
Status
Returning Series
Origin
GB
TMDB Votes
136