What To Know
- Trying star Esther Smith breaks down Nikki’s Season 5 storyline with coworker Kerry and how that musical moment changed everything.
- Plus, she discusses the exploration of Nikki’s near-infidelity.
Trying‘s fifth season has put Nikki (Esther Smith) to the test as she rejoined the workforce as she embarks on the latest chapter of life, parenting teens and finding herself once again. One of those tests has been the bond she’s built with her new coworker Kerry (Merlin‘s Colin Morgan), who saw her at a point where she was feeling rather invisible with her family as Jason (Rafe Spall) focused on his new job and their kids reconnected with their biological mom Kat (Charlotte Riley). Warning: Spoilers for Trying Season 5, Episode 5!
Nikki got so close to Kerry that it was clear she’d begun to develop a crush on the man who helped her catch an errant mouse in the office, supported her ideas in the travel agency they work for, and much more. But were those feelings strong enough to cheat on Jason?
It’s a question that was worth considering, as fans will recall that Jason and Nikki got together when he cheated on an ex, Jane (Cush Jumbo). Would it have been so far-fetched that Nikki might do the same? Obviously, there were other contributing factors to Nikki’s affection for Kerry, especially as she felt ignored by those closest to her.
Apple TV
But for Smith, she admits, “I was really frightened when they told me what that storyline was going to be. At that point when they told me that idea, I didn’t know where it was going to go, and I was a bit scared because I was like, oh my gosh, is that the thing that’s gonna blow this family apart? Surely not.”
Thankfully, Nikki is put off Kerry before she ever gets a chance to act, as she convinces her sister Karen (Sian Brooke) to accompany her to one of Kerry’s local performances. At the open mic, he announces he’s going to sing a song for an office girl, and begins to serenade the crowd with a beautiful acoustic tune that turns perplexing fast as he makes a sudden shift to rapping.
Smith recalls reading the script, and thinking, “Oh, he’s rapping, is he?” The moment gives Nikki such an “ick” it’s enough to turn her off of the crush, and she even records some video to remind herself of how repelling Kerry is in that moment. “What I think’s really great about it is that it puts Nikki in a really challenging position and creates a tension, which then fundamentally brings Nikki and Jason closer and stronger.”
“I feel like [that] is always the thing in each series: whatever challenge they’re met with, it brings them closer and stronger.” Will that continue with Nikki revealing her crush to Jason? Only time will tell as Season 5 continues to play out, but for now fans can rest knowing infidelity isn’t on the horizon.
Trying, Season 5, New Episodes, Wednesdays, Apple TV