first published on 13 November 2014
We believe that Nicola’s private life is just that, private, and we won’t normally discuss any aspect of her private life here, unless Nicola herself or someone close to her has made comments in this respect to members of the media, or has given us permission to do so.
Ever since the UK’s Radio Times published its Q and A with Nicola (which you can read HERE) on 18 October 2011 in which Nicola referred to her husband, actor Barnaby Kay, a number of times, there has been an increase in the number of visitors who landed on this fansite by googling “Barnaby Kay and Nicola Walker”. So, as a public service to all Nicola fans, here’s what we know :
Barnaby Kay is a British actor who spent a number of years, in the beginning of his career, with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In an interview he gave some years ago where he talked about appearing in productions of two of Shakespeare’s comedies, Twelfth Night and As You Like It, at the same time, he admitted that he has a soft spot for Shakespearean comedies, in particular characters that are falling in love with women who are dressed up as boys, which his character did in both of the plays. The interview contained this interesting comment :
“At this point he adds, with a grin creeping across his face, “I fell in love with my girlfriend when she was playing a boy. I don’t know what that is saying!”
The girlfriend in question was Nicola, whom Barnaby subsequently married.
In late September 2011, we checked this with Nicola. She laughed and told us, “yes, its true. The play was The Libertine where I played a boy called Billy Downs. Its something that we still joke about in this marriage every now and then.”
So from this tidbit, we can deduce that the couple met sometime in 1994. From an entry in Emma Kennedy’s Blog, we know that Nicola and Barnaby became engaged sometime in 2003 because they gave a Christmas party that year which also doubled as an engagement party. Their first child arrived in 2006 and is named Harry. And yes, he is named after the character “Harry Pearce” in Spooks. Nicola herself talks about the naming of her son in the 2010 Ian Wylie interview, as well as the TV Guide article which was published prior to the premiere of Series 8 of Spooks. You can see a scan of this article HERE.
In the November 2012 edition of the programme for the musical, Matilda, published by the Cambridge Theatre, Barnaby gave a rare interview in which he talked about his marriage to Nicola. We have a scan of that article which you can read on this Page.
Barnaby has worked on a number of projects with Nicola in the past. He guested in episode 305 of Spooks when he played John Fortescue, the would-be love interest for Ruth Evershed, the character played by Nicola. Although both Barnaby and Nicola were credited in The Blue Summer, that was mainly a voice over project. Both Barnaby and Nicola have also appeared in Fire Horse [Film].
For more information on Barnaby Kay, visit his IMDb page.
For exclusive pics of Nicola with Barnaby on the red carpet at the 2013 Olivier Awards, head over to this Page.
7.1.2017 From the Guardian’s Q&A with Nicola
What was your most embarrassing moment?
At the Royal Court in 1994, doing The Libertine, the show where I met my husband. We were talking in the wings when he suddenly shouted, “You’re on!” and I ran on holding a chair. I looked back and he was in the wings utterly shocked: he didn’t think for a moment I’d believe him. I was in the wrong scene in the wrong costume, with a chair.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Parking my worries with my husband at 2am and leaving him blinking into the darkness while I sleep.
You can read the complete Q&A HERE.
Back to Fun Facts – Table of Contents
Nicola is an amazing actress I got to meet her when she was filming in scotland
Would you like to write us a short report about your meeting with Nicola? Would you like to share your selfies with Nicola?
Amazing actress. Her serious moments really draw you in but her humour and smile is endearing. A real girl next door type. In Last Tango her character is portrayed as a little naive, then the appears in the Split as a totally credible and classy lawyer! Brilliant
She is one of a kind is Nicola. We’d watch her in anything:-) Watching Annika now. Hoping it goes on for years.
I think she is a wonderful actress. I try to follow every series that she is in.She is so versatile and when she cries the tears are real – the scenes at the end of The Split when she is sitting around table at restaurant with Nathan and the children and the final scene when she sobs in her mother’s arms are captivating. I look forward to Season 3
I totally agree with all the comments. She’s fantastic, I first saw her in MI 5 (NY base)
I’m a huge fan of Nicola Walker, an amazingly talented British actress. Considering that actors in the UK rank at the top of their profession compared to those in all other countries, it’s impressive to have been recognized for awards at all. I’m an American who watches European TV about 99% of the time and I regularly seek out all of Ms. Walker’s performances confident that I am seeing one of the best. In the world.
I’ve loved Nicola’s acting for some time. No Hollywood glamour or worldwide fame. Nicola is a person that I can truly identify with. Thank Heaven for you, Nicola!
My favourite actress, plays so many varied parts and yet so convincing in them all. Always delighted to see her name on the character list and know that her performance will interesting.
Love Nicola from here in Oz. She is so authentic 🙏❤🧡
Nicola Walker is an very interesting actress who always seems to play an ordinary character but with a nervous emotional side in the roles I have seen her play. Always enjoy seeing her craft.
Keep up the great work 😊
Wonderful and so refreshing to see such a versatile actress, who is so uniquely beautiful.
Nicola walker AMAZING! I watch her on the split and on the last tango in Halifax and I fell in love with her (acting) something about her face and expression! Well done!❤️
Nicola Walker is brilliant in “Unforgiven”, a TV series that actually emphasize victims and their suffering families, instead of glamorizing the villains. Walker’s deeply moving portrayal of empathic DCI Cassie Stuart deserves an award(s). That she was nominated for one in 2016 but didn’t get it, is a travesty.
Nicola Walker is great in all her roles. She was so convincing when she had to cry in a scene. She deserves her success.
I think Nicola Walker is an amazing actress.
I’ve loved to watch her in all her tv roles.
Now watching Unforgotten season 2 , happy that there is going to be a season 3.
She is my favourite British Actress.
Hi, I feel the same.. And having “discovered” her watching Mi 5, I have been searching all over to find anything at all she plays. Loved her in Unforgotten, happy it’s to be renewed..
Nicola Walker is a fabulous actor from what I have seen in Spooks. I really miss Ruth and Harry !
I first saw Nicola on MI-5, (or Spooks as it was called in the UK). Absolutely my fav character on the show. In Canada, we get the shows much later, so, I have to look through British shows. I love the British detective shows, and am delighted to find one in which she appears. Just finished watching Unforgotten. I hope it continues and that we get it here. Am now watching River. She is my favourite British tv actress, and is amazing in each of her roles. I wish she had a fan page, or was on Facebook, as I would love to follow her!
“I wish she had a fan page” – doesn’t this website count???
True, I love her too. Though the show River disturbs me every time I her the name or see it mentioned. It’s not her acting the troubles me, it’s his role. Love Stellab Skarsgard too since that play.
She is brilliant.
Nicola Walker is a great actress – so diverse