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Nicola Walker, known for her portrayals of detectives, lawyers, and complex women juggling difficult lives, takes on a new role in the comedy-drama series *Alice and Steve*. This six-part show, crafted by writer Sophie Goodhart and featuring Jemaine Clement as a co-star, centers on a provocative situation: Alice (Walker) learns that her close friend Steve (Clement) is romantically involved with her 26-year-old daughter, Izzy. The storyline unfolds as a blend of humor and emotional conflict, depicting the unraveling friendship amid jealousy, resentment, and revenge between two middle-aged companions.
Walker reflects on the parenting emotions portrayed through Alice, emphasizing their authenticity despite the show’s dramatic premise. She shares her own experiences, saying, “My son is older and has had a few relationships and, as a mother, every one is unexpected.” The transition from having complete influence over children who admire their parents to watching them make independent choices is challenging. She explains, “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 notes that knowing when to remain silent is crucial, humorously recounting advice from a friend: “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.”
Many might find Walker’s close identification with the character striking. Although she has played a wide array of roles—from detective Cassie Stuart in *Unforgotten* to divorce lawyer Hannah Stern in *The Split*—she feels Alice resembles her the most. “I’m always playing Alice in every job I’ve ever done,” Walker admits. She attributes this connection to sharing Alice’s “rage” and the intense emotional experience of parenthood, saying, “being a parent drives you completely loopy – but you would do anything for your children, so I understand the basics of her personality.” Beneath the comedic turmoil lies a woman’s struggle to come to terms with her daughter’s autonomy and the choices she makes.
On the other hand, Steve is portrayed as more nuanced than initially perceived. Jemaine Clement reveals his attraction to the role stemmed from its inner conflict: “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.” Aware that audiences may jump to conclusions, Clement acknowledges, “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 stress that the series is less about assigning blame and more about offering a multifaceted exploration of this fraught situation. As Walker puts it, “The writer is careful to show you that if it wasn’t Alice’s daughter, these two people might have a good relationship… It’s hard to point the finger at any one character and give them blame.”
Critics have noted the series’ refusal to label anyone a clear villain. One four-star review from Radio Times praised *Alice and Steve* as an “impressively wrong-footing drama about love and hate,” commending the show’s mix of sharp humor and emotional depth. It described the series as a “true hate story,” emphasizing that while the romantic relationship sparks the conflict, the deeper narrative focuses on the destruction of a long-standing friendship. Rather than encouraging audiences to take sides, the series pushes viewers to empathize with characters navigating difficult choices. Walker affirms this intent: “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.” Clement agrees, adding, “Neither of us predicted what would happen at the end.”
The show also touches on the broader issue of age-gap relationships and societal judgments surrounding them. Clement comments on perceptions, noting, “I think people would be harsher if it was an older woman with a younger man.” Walker appreciates the script’s honest take on aging through her character, stating, “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… I love the honesty of a woman saying, ‘I’m done and it’s not my time, it’s their time’.” When asked for dating advice, both actors humorously admit their perspectives may be outdated, with Clement suggesting, “Go to the cinema,” and Walker simply concluding, “My advice is pointless. I’m keeping my mouth shut.” Perhaps that restraint is one lesson Alice herself could have benefited from.
*Alice and Steve* became available for viewing on Disney+ starting 8 June
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