Alice and Steve writer says it would be “sad” to ban age-gap romances between adults

by

Alice and Steve explore the potential consequences of a romance with a significant age difference. However, the show’s writer argues that these relationships shouldn’t automatically be considered off-limits.

Nicola Walker and Jemaine Clement play Alice and Steve, best friends whose relationship is complicated when Steve starts dating Alice’s daughter, Izzy (Yali Topol Margalith).

Despite seeming unexpected, the connection between Izzy and Steve was intentionally developed as a believable romance, according to series creator Sophie Goodhart and director Tom Kingsley in an interview with TopMob. They emphasized how ‘really important’ it was for their relationship to feel authentic.

Goodhart added that the actors have a very convincing connection, making them truly endearing as a couple.

While it’s absolutely wrong to have a sexual relationship with a friend’s child, I don’t believe you can automatically dismiss relationships where there’s an age difference, like an older man dating a younger woman. To say that’s inherently wrong feels unnecessarily harsh.

The writer, who also created the shows Rivals and Slow Horses, clarified that she was only discussing relationships between consenting adults. She also emphasized that any romantic connection should be between people with equal power.

I didn’t want to completely rule out the possibility of something happening,” she said. “I hoped we’d show respect for their connection, and that our feelings towards them would change as the show went on.

Goodhart revealed she’s dating someone much younger, and is surprised by the positive reaction she receives. She pointed out that a man in the same situation would likely face criticism and be considered inappropriate.

“I was quite keen to sort of point out that double standard,” she added.

The initial idea is catchy enough to draw viewers in, but the show quickly becomes a sweeping, complex love story that spans generations and involves intricate relationships between friends and romantic partners.

Want to see this content?

This page uses a security feature called Google reCAPTCHA. Before it loads, we need your permission. reCAPTCHA might use cookies to help protect against spam and abuse. If you agree, click ‘Accept and continue’ to enable it.

Walker and Clement explained to TopMob that the real issue with the show isn’t the age gap between Steve and Izzy, but the fact that they’ve been close friends for a long time already.

Director Kingsley praised actor Jemaine Clement for his portrayal of Steve, noting that Clement made the character likable even while doing questionable things.

He explained that while the show’s initial idea might seem daring, it actually explores the realistic outcomes and the complex experiences of its very human characters.

“I think it’s a really great hook that becomes surprisingly deep and sort of devastating.”

Joining Alice and Steve in the cast are Joel Fry, known for his role in ‘Paddington in Peru,’ Tyrese Eaton-Dyce from ‘Sherwood,’ Marcia Warren who appeared in ‘The Crown,’ and Eilidh Fisher of ‘Dope Girls’.

Alice and Steve is available to stream on Disney+ from Monday 8 June 2026.

Want daily TV recommendations and the latest features? Download the TopMob: What to Watch app and add Alice and Steve to your watchlist today!

Authors

David CraigSenior Drama Writer

David Craig writes about TV dramas and comedies for TopMob, focusing on the newest and most popular shows across television and streaming platforms. Before joining TopMob, he worked at Starburst Magazine and hosted The Winter King Podcast on ITVX. He also has a degree in Journalism from the University of Sheffield.

  • Visit us on Twitter

Read More

2026-06-05 10:34