Nicola Walker’s off-screen life with ‘very supportive’ celebrity husband and son

Nicola Walker is arguably one of Britain’s most versatile actors, having enjoyed a wide-ranging career on both stage and screen.

From the BBC’s hit divorce drama The splitwhich returned with a two-part special this month, to the ITV detective show Not forgotten and the much-loved comedy-drama, Last Tango in Halifaxthe 54-year-old actress has starred in countless beloved shows over the years. But how much do you know about her off-screen life? Read on for everything you need to know about her family life with her famous husband…

Nicola’s famous husband Barnaby Kay

Nicola is not the only famous face in her household. The TV star is married to actor Barnaby Kay.

The actress met her other half back in the 1990s when she was 25 and starred in a play called The libertine. They later starred in the spy drama Spooks when Barnaby appeared in an episode broadcast in 2004.

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Barnaby is perhaps best known for his theater work and is a former member of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He has been acclaimed for performances in famous productions, including Shakespeare’s As you like it and Tennessee Williams’ A tram named Desire.

In the world of television, he has appeared in shows, e.g Midsomer Murders, New Tricks, Wallander and recently, The five. The actor also comes from a famous family of thespians. His father, Richard Kay, who died in 1987, was known for appearing in Coronation Street, Wuthering Heights and Juliette Bravo.

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Nicola and Barnaby tied the knot after 20 years together in 2006, which was the same year they welcomed their son Harry.

Opens up about her wedding during an interview with Radio Times in 2018, Nicola revealed that the couple had a “small, family” wedding. “I don’t know if I should tell the truth—it doesn’t sound very romantic,” she began. “I think the whole marriage ceremony is a bit like going to work. It’s a public performance. Although we had a really lovely day because we didn’t. We had a little family thing.”

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In one 2022 interview with the release, Nicola went on to explain that she and Barnaby decided to marry for one reason in particular. “Me and my husband, because we both lost a parent young, we thought after we had a child we should get married if one of us dies so the legality is clear,” she said. “Which isn’t the most romantic reason to get married, but probably the only thing that would have gotten me to sign a piece of paper. I’m not a big proponent of marriage in real life.”

Nicola shared an insight into her marriage to Barnaby and revealed how the pair spend their downtime together during an interview with Woman & Home back in 2017. “He would hate me for saying this but (Barnaby’s) a brilliant musician and when Harry is in bed sometimes we open a bottle of wine and he plays the piano while drunkenly singing along,” the London-born star revealed, adding: “I love it when we do it.”

Nicola’s son Harry

While Nicola tends to keep her son Harry out of the limelight, she has previously shared an insight into their family life. Speaking to The Mirror in 2022, the Annika actress revealed that her son has not seen any of her work in full, although her husband is “very supportive”. “I don’t think my son has ever seen anything I’ve done,” she shared The mirror. “He’s seen bits and pieces, but he’s never seen a whole episode, for of course it is strange, as I am his mother.”

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She added: “My husband, Barney, sees it though. He’s very supportive.”

In a recent interview with The TimesNicola revealed that Harry is in his final year at school and is busy choosing universities. She shared her fear of becoming a tom shipping company, saying: “I cling to him like an annoying marmoset. The poor young man says, ‘Go back!’