There aren’t many actresses who can make you laugh as quickly as they can make you cry, but The Split star Nicola Walker is one of them. And the proof is in her relatable family drama Marriage, about a couple (played by Nicola and Sean Bean) navigating their 30-year-long marriage. The series first aired in 2022, with fans calling it “the best BBC drama in ages” – and you can stream it in full tonight.
The clever series revolves around couple, Emma and Ian, and takes an intimate look at their relationship through the minutiae of it, including their daily struggles - both big and small - wider family tensions and the arguments over something and nothing. It’s a moving, often funny, sometimes emotional drama, and both Nicola and Sean give a true masterclass in acting in it.
Fancy tuning in? Here’s everything you need to know about Marriage before you do, including the plot, cast, trailer and how to watch it.
What is Marriage about?
The four-part drama revolves around married couple Ian (Sean Bean) and Emma (Nicola Walker) as they negotiate the ups and downs of their 30-year marriage. Ian has been made redundant, his mum has passed away and he’s at a turning point in his life, while Emma is planning what she wants to do with her career, while also looking after her dad.
Over the course of the series, we see the pair deal with insecurities and the hopes and fears that are part of most marriages. It’s a funny, moving and revealing portrait of married life and the challenges that come with it.
Asked in a BBC interview what it was like working with Sean Bean on the series, Nicola said: “It’s been very easy being married to Sean Bean for 27 years on this! My most memorable scene was applying cream to [his] thigh area. It was a beautiful moment and one that I never expected, as Ian had a nasty rash! It was a tremendous day in my professional career. Luckily it was in a tasteful position for camera!”
Sean added: “It’s been a real pleasure for me working with Nicola, and I know everyone says that, but it really has. People will be able to see many things that they can relate to in their own lives and their own relationships. There aren’t any big stunts or reveals, it’s just a very simple story, simply told, about people and the complications of daily life.”
Who’s in the cast of Marriage?
The cast of Marriage includes:
- Nicola Walker (The Split, Unforgotten) as Emma
- Sean Bean (Time, This City is Ours) as Ian
- James Bolam (New Tricks, The Likely Lads) as Gerry
- Henry Lloyd-Hughes (The Inbetweeners, Ragdoll) as Jamie
- Chantelle Alle (We Are Lady Parts, Mood) as Jessica
Is there a trailer for Marriage?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for Marriage below.
Is Marriage any good?
Yes – while it doesn’t come with too many thrills, Marriage is a realistic, moving and often very funny depiction of ordinary love and ordinary life. Both Nicola Walker and Sean Bean are as brilliant as you’d expect and viewers have called the series “a masterpiece”, “beautifully understated” and “the best BBC drama in ages”. It’s a series you definitely won’t regret investing some time in.
How can I watch Marriage?
All four episodes of Marriage are available to watch on BBC iPlayer now.
What other Nicola Walker dramas can I watch now?
One of Nicola’s lesser-known but equally brilliant performances is in Collateral. Set over the course of four days, the drama follows the repercussions of a fatal shooting of pizza delivery man Abdullah Asif (Sam Otto) – and the impact it has on those who were connected to it, including Nicola's Jane Oliver, who's having an affair with the only witness to the crime. You can watch Collateral on Netflix now. If you enjoy a period drama, we’d also recommend catching up on Mary & George. Inspired by a true story, Julianne Moore is Mary Villiers, the woman who moulded her son to seduce King James I and improve the fortunes of her family – quite significantly – in the process. Nicola plays Lady Elizabeth Hatton, the lady-in-waiting for the Queen consort Anne of Denmark and her performance as Mary’s adversary is something very special indeed. You can watch Mary & George on Sky and NOW. For more great Nicola Walker dramas that you can binge now, check out our pick of her best roles here.
