Nicola Walker’s New Role Reflects Personal Parenting Challenges
Nicola Walker, known for portraying detectives, lawyers, and women managing complex lives, takes on a role in the comedy-drama Alice and Steve that may be her most personally resonant yet.
The six-part series, penned by Sophie Goodhart and co-starring Jemaine Clement, opens with a provocative premise: Alice (Walker) discovers her best friend Steve (Clement) is romantically involved with her 26-year-old daughter, Izzy. The narrative unfolds as a blend of comedy and emotional conflict, depicting how two middle-aged friends become entangled in resentment, jealousy, and revenge.
Walker Relates Deeply to Alice’s Parenting Experience
While the show's central conflict is extreme, Walker finds the parenting emotions at its core very familiar.
"My son is older and has had a few relationships and, as a mother, every one is unexpected," she tells .
"It's really hard going from having complete control of them as this small entity who believes everything you say and, in their eyes, you're great at everything.
Then they become teenagers, they start bringing people home they desire and it's a massive parenting shift."
Walker emphasizes the challenge of knowing when to refrain from intervening.
"You have to just keep your mouth shut, which is the opposite of what Alice does.
"You have to become bovine, my friend told me. You have to just go 'mm-hmm, mm-hmm' and behave like a large cow around them, just pretending to agree," she laughs.
Given this, Walker feels a strong connection to Alice.
"I'm always playing Alice in every job I've ever done," she explains. "I think Alice is nearer to me than anyone else I've ever played."
She attributes this to sharing the same "rage" as Alice and the intense emotions parenthood provokes.
"Being a parent drives you completely loopy - but you would do anything for your children, so I understand the basics of her personality."
This relatability adds depth to Alice’s character, portraying her not merely as an overbearing parent but as a woman struggling to accept her daughter's autonomy.
Steve’s Character Offers More Than Meets the Eye
Steve, portrayed by Jemaine Clement, is more nuanced than the premise might suggest.
"What makes Steve human is conflict within yourself - he has something he really wants, which is something he shouldn't do, and that's a great conflict when you're acting," Clement says.
The Kiwi actor anticipates that viewers may prematurely judge Steve.
"I suspect many viewers will make up their minds about Steve before they've even watched the series and assume he's a sleazy guy."
Both actors emphasize that the series focuses less on blame and more on exploring a complex situation from multiple viewpoints.
"The writer is careful to show you that if it wasn't Alice's daughter, these two people might have a good relationship," Walker notes. "It's hard to point the finger at any one character and give them blame."
Critical Reception Highlights Balanced Portrayal of Love and Conflict
Critics have praised the show’s refusal to cast clear villains.
Radio Times awarded the series four stars, describing Alice and Steve as an "impressively wrong-footing drama about love and hate," commending its blend of sharp comedy and poignant themes.
The review called it a "true hate story," emphasizing that while the romantic relationship drives the tension, the more compelling narrative concerns the friendship it threatens.
The Hollywood Reporter echoed this sentiment, calling the series "sharply funny and unexpectedly touching."
Rather than encouraging audiences to take sides, the show challenges viewers to empathize with individuals making difficult choices.
Walker and Clement hope.
"People believe they know where it's going but we can promise them it doesn't go where you think. The writer is much better than that," Walker says.
Clement adds, "Neither of us predicted what would happen at the end."
Exploring Age-Gap Relationships and Perceptions
The series also engages with broader discussions about age-gap relationships and societal attitudes toward them.
Clement, recognized for his roles in What We Do in the Shadows and Flight of the Conchords, suggests the public might judge such relationships differently depending on gender.
"I think people would be harsher if it was an older woman with a younger man," he observes.
Walker appreciates the script’s honest portrayal of aging, written by Sophie Goodhart, known for Sex Education and Rivals.
"There's no self-pity in Alice by the end and I don't think I've ever read that coming from an older woman before. It's always layered with, 'I've still got it'. But I love the honesty of a woman saying, 'I'm done and it's not my time, it's their time'."
Actors Reflect on Dating Advice and Personal Experience
When asked about advice for modern dating, both actors admit they may be out of touch.
"We haven't dated for a while," Clement laughs, before suggesting, "Go to the cinema."
Walker is less confident about offering guidance.
"My advice is pointless," she says. "I'm keeping my mouth shut."
Given her earlier comments on parenting, this restraint might be a lesson Alice herself could have benefited from.
Alice and Steve is available to watch on Disney+ from 8 June.
