Celia Imrie Joins 'Trying' Season 5 As Series Gets U.K. Home

It speaks volumes about how short a time Apple TV+ has existed as a streaming service that Trying, which is heading into its fifth season, is one of the service's longest-running shows. But more importantly, it's also a reminder of how little it needs production partners to finance series like Trying, and how American-centered Apple TV+ is, having thus far produced four seasons of its sleeper hit British comedy without a single minute of it ever being legally aired in the U.K. Thankfully, as the production rounds into Season 5 and Apple is pressured to close the yawning chasm of debt spending to finance these shows, it's finally sold Trying in the U.K. to the place it'll get most viewership: the BBC.

Considering that Apple's production pipeline now debuts enough British-made and British-starring series that it can essentially debut new episodes year-round, almost none of which are available outside an Apple TV+ subscription, it's somewhat surprising that it's taken this long for the BBC to pick up a show from the tech company. John Oliver famously once called the American streamer "where Hollywood stars go to hide," and it's more true than not: Apple's tiny U.S. only subscriber base means that its ever-expanding library of really well-made and entertaining shows isn't being seen. If it wants to rectify that without putting its shows on Netflix, the BBC is absolutely the next best spot.

Season 5 is also a perfect time for the BBC to board the show, as the cast is expanding again to include a new British star, plus a handful of up-and-comers.

New additions for Season 5 start with U.K. national treasure Celia Imrie (The Thursday Murder Club), probably the most significant get of the lot. Also joining the series for its fifth season: Gbemisola Ikumelo (Black Ops), Colin Morgan (Belfast), Danielle Vitalis (I May Destroy You), and Leah Brotherhead (Bridgerton). 

Here's the current synopsis for Season 5 from Apple TV+.

Season 5 finds Nikki and Jason dealing with the consequences of Princess and Tyler’s biological mother, Kat, turning up at their doorstep, and the whirlwind of chaos she brings into their settled family life.

Stars Esther Smith (Black Mirror) and Rafe Spall (Smoke) return as lead couple, Nikki and Jason, alongside an ensemble cast that includes Charlotte Riley (Press) as Kat, Darren Boyd (The Outlaws) as Scott, Sian Brooke (Supacell) as Karen, Scarlett Rayner (Grantchester) as Princess, and Cooper Turner (JoJo & Gran Gran) as Tyler. 

The returning supporting cast includes Phil Davis (Poldark) as Jason's father, as well as Marian McLoughlin (Vera) and Roderick Smith (The Inspector Lynley Mysteries) as Nikki's parents.

The series is created by Andy Wolton, who has penned all episodes of the show thus far and is expected to do the same for Season 5. Longtime series directors Elliot Hegarty and Jim O'Hanlon are expected to return to helm episodes. Wolton also executive produces alongside Josh Cole, Sam Pinnell, and Chris Sussman. 

Trying Seasons 1 through 4 will debut on the BBC and iPlayer in the coming weeks and months. Season 5 is expected to be out on Apple TV+ in 2026.