Nicola Walker's life off-screen from famous husband and friendship with Sarah Lancashire
Nicola Walker has reprised her iconic role as Hannah Defoe in the eagerly awaited two-part BBC special of the popular legal drama, The Split.
The latest instalment begins with a lively Spanish fiesta set during a sun-drenched weekend. The episodes delve into themes of love, legacy, and contemporary marriage through a cast of well-known characters.
Hannah is just one of the roles that have made Nicola a familiar face on TV. The 54 year old actress is also recognised for her performances in major BBC and ITV dramas, including Unforgotten and Marriage, as well as the Scottish detective series, Annika.
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Nicola's first onscreen appearance was in Richard Curtis's Four Weddings and a Funeral, where she played a folk singer performing at a ceremony while Simon Callow's character Gareth dramatically fakes his own death.
While Nicola is a regular presence on our screens, she enjoys a quieter life with her family when not filming.
Family Life
Nicola tends to keep her personal life private, but it is known that she is married to fellow actor Barnaby Kay.
The pair met while starring in a play called The Libertine when Nicola was 25. They later welcomed their son, Harry, in 2006 and got married the same year.
In a candid conversation with Woman&Home magazine back in 2017, the actress opened up about her views on marriage: "I was always quite daunted by the idea of marriage; my parents had the most amazing partnership, and no one wants to be the one who gets it wrong. But now that we've done it? Actually, it was just the legalities we were missing before."
Throughout his career, Barnaby has graced our screens in a variety of roles, including his performances in Netflix's hit series Anatomy of a Scandal, the gripping BBC drama Wallander, and the much-loved comedy-drama New Tricks. He even made an appearance in an episode of Spooks, coinciding with Nicola's tenure on the show.
Sarah Lancashire friendship
The bond between Nicola and Sarah Lancashire is evident, both being titans of the acting world with their history of working together on the acclaimed BBC drama Last Tango in Halifax. It's apparent that their friendship extends beyond the screen.
During a touching interview released around the National Television Awards, Nicola didn't hold back her praise for Sarah, saying: "She (Sarah) has broken my heart and made me laugh in equal measure on camera, on stage, in song, she can do it all," and elaborating on Sarah's unique talent to connect with audiences through her deep understanding of human nature.
When asked about future collaborations with Sarah, Nicola enthusiastically responded: "I would like to work only with Sarah Lancashire, every day, all the time, I don't know if anyone can arrange that! We are very lucky to have her."
The Split can be viewed on BBC iPlayer
