Trying (TV series)

Trying is a British comedy television series created by Andy Wolton. The first season premiered on 1 May 2020 on Apple TV+. The second season premiered on 21 May 2021, and the third season premiered on 22 July 2022. The fourth season, which continues the series after a six year time-jump, premiered on 22 May 2024.

Premise
The series follows Nikki and Jason, a couple who really want to become parents but who struggle with conceiving a child. In order to have a baby they decide to adopt, only to face a whole list of new challenges and surprises that come with the adoption process. Additionally, Season 4 begins with a six year time-jump and focuses on Nikki and Jason as they deal with life as parents and all the trials and tribulations that come with it.

Main

 * Esther Smith as Nikki Newman
 * Rafe Spall as Jason Ross
 * Sian Brooke as Karen
 * Darren Boyd as Scott
 * Ophelia Lovibond as Erica (season 1-2)
 * Oliver Chris as Freddy
 * Imelda Staunton as Penny (season 1-2)
 * Phil Davis as Vic Ross
 * Paula Wilcox as Sandra Ross (season 1-3)
 * Marian McLoughlin as Jilly Newman
 * Roderick Smith as John Newman
 * Robyn Cara as Jennifer/Jen (season 1-3)
 * Scarlett Rayner as Princess (season 4-)
 * Cooper Turner as Tyler (season 4-)

Recurring

 * Diana Pozharskaya as Sofia (season 1)
 * Cush Jumbo as Jane (season 1)
 * Eden Togwell as Princess (season 2-3)
 * Mickey McAnulty as Tyler (season 2-3)
 * Fola Evans-Akingbola as Harper (season 2)
 * Navin Chowdhry as Deven (season 2)
 * Ciara Baxendale as Amy (season 2-3)
 * Karl Collins as Noah (season 3-4)
 * Clare Higgins as Bev Reid (season 3-4)
 * Matilda Flower as Stevie (season 4)

Development
On 12 July 2019, it was reported that Apple Inc. and the BBC were working together for a new comedy series with the working title Alabama. Production on the series was already underway with the series set to be released sometime in 2020. Trying is the second co-production between Apple and the BBC after a reboot Prehistoric Planet was announced two months prior. On 19 January 2020, Apple Inc. formally announced the series in a press release with the official title Trying.

On 1 May 2020, Esther Smith confirmed in an interview with Metro that a second season had been commissioned by Apple. English singer-songwriter Maisie Peters wrote and performed the soundtrack for the season.

With the announcement of a 14 May 2021 second season release date, Apple also renewed the show for a third season.

Casting
Alongside the initial report of the series in July 2019, it was announced that Imelda Staunton would feature in the series. In the press release of January 2020, Apple announced that Rafe Spall and Esther Smith would star in the series.

Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season 86% of 22 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. For the second season, 100% of 13 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.5/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on eight critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Accolades
The song "Neck of the Woods" by Maisie Peters and Joe Rubel was nominated for Best Original Song in a TV Show/Limited Series by the Hollywood Music in Media Awards in 2021.