For several years, Apple TV Plus was often referred to as the “Ted Lasso streaming service” due to the popularity of the sports-themed comedy. However, I always felt like that label was a little unfair, and honestly, I don’t even think “Ted Lasso” is the best sitcom on the platform.
While Apple TV Plus offers some of the most prestigious shows on television with critically acclaimed hits like “Severance,” “For All Mankind,” and “Slow Horses,” my top pick has always been “Trying.” This easy-to-watch comedy follows a British couple as they try to navigate the complicated world of adoption, and it’s the TV equivalent of a warm hug.
The show premiered in 2020, followed by a second and third season in the following years. After an extended hiatus of almost two years, “Trying” season 4 will debut on May 22 and I can’t wait to reunite with the show’s adorable cast. My anticipation levels were already high, but the first trailer for this new season has just been released and it looks, unsurprisingly, perfect.
So if you’re looking for something new to watch on Apple TV Plus, or maybe you want a replacement comfort show now that Lasso has blown the full-time whistle, “Try” is the perfect alternative. For my money, it’s an even more charming and enjoyable show than the football series that dominated Apple TV Plus conversations for far too long.
‘Trying’ is a must-see Apple TV original
“Trying” is a simple show and that is arguably its greatest strength. It’s neither a twisted thriller nor an emotionally draining drama, but rather a feel-good comedy without a cynicism in its body. I’ve rewatched all three available seasons multiple times because it’s the ideal comfort show. It’s the kind of series you can watch when you’re looking for a little pick-me-up after a long day.
“Trying” centers on Nikki Newman (Esther Smith) and Jason Ross (Rafe Spall), a young couple living in London, England, who desperately want to start their own family. After struggling to conceive naturally, they decide to try adoption. This begins a whole series of fun situations as they try to navigate the complex process of proving that they are capable of raising a tiny human, both to the authorities and to themselves.
The concept is simple, but what makes “Trying” a blast is the amazing chemistry between its two leads. Nikki and Jason are extremely likeable characters, and their comedic interaction and sarcastic banter are highlights of many episodes. Smith and Spall each bring something unique to the table, with the former offering more physical comedy while the latter brings plenty of one-liners. They are a perfect match and make a believable (and easy to root for) couple.
It would be unfair of me not to mention the wonderful supporting cast, which includes Nikki’s sister Karen (Sian Brooke) and her eccentric partner Scott (Darren Boyd), friend couple Freddy (Oliver Chris) and Erica (Ophelia Lovibond ), and Jason’s parents. Vic (Phil Davis) and Sandra (Paula Wilcox). All of these memorable characters come together to form one of my favorite casts on any comedy show.
Another central element of “Trying” is its willingness to get serious when appropriate. While things are lighthearted most of the time, the show has an emotional edge that incorporates more serious themes. These include an excellent plot examining Nikki’s lack of professional fulfillment and an overall sensitive handling of the difficult nature of the adoption process.
I’ve written about this Apple TV Plus show several times before, so I run the risk of repeating myself, but I simply can’t recommend it enough. If you’ve never seen it, you have three full seasons to catch up on. And while that may seem like a lot, “Trying” is so watchable that you’ll probably binge it all in just a few days.
‘Trying’ Season 4: Here’s Our First Look
If you’re like me and eagerly awaiting the return of “Trying” on Apple TV Plus, you’ll probably be happy to know that a trailer for Season 4 was released last week. This short teaser gives us our first look at Jason and Nikki’s return and promises a slightly new spin on the show’s established formula.
The biggest change is that the fourth season of “Trying” will make use of a time jump in which viewers will catch up with the couple and their two adopted children, Princess (Scarlett Rayner) and Tyler (Cooper Turner), six years after Jason and Nikki tied. They got married and were approved to become permanent adoptive parents.
Last season ended with the show’s main cast in blissful happiness, but a lot can change in half a decade, and this new season of “Trying” will see Nikki and Jason face the toughest test of their parenting skills when Princess reveals her desire to connect with her birth mother. “Trying” has never been a show about twists or shocking revelations, but I’m excited to see where this new thread goes, even if I’m sure the final destination will be a happy one.
“Trying” Season 4 will debut on Apple TV Plus on May 22 with a two-episode premiere, followed by weekly releases every Wednesday through July 3. That should give you enough time to watch the series to date or binge. It’s a repeat if you’ve enjoyed it before.
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