Playing Nice
| Playing Nice | |
|---|---|
| Based on | Playing Nice by JP Delaney |
| Screenplay by | Grace Ofori-Attah |
| Directed by | Kate Hewitt |
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Producer | Nick Pitt |
| Running time | 50 minutes |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV |
| Release | 5 January – 13 January 2025 |
Playing Nice is a British four-part television series for ITV, from StudioCanal. It is set in Cornwall and based on the book of the same name by J. P. Delaney. James Norton stars and executive-produces through his production company Rabbit Track Pictures. Kate Hewitt directs from a script adaptation from Grace Ofori-Attah.
Synopsis
When two couples discover their toddler sons were switched at birth, they struggle with the choice whether to keep the sons they have raised, or to reclaim their biological child.[1]
Cast
- James Norton as Pete Riley
- Niamh Algar as Maddie Wilson
- James McArdle as Miles Lambert
- Jessica Brown Findlay as Lucy Lambert
Production
Grace Ofori-Attah adapts the book Playing Nice by JP Delaney. StudioCanal and Rabbit Track Pictures produce. James Norton stars and is also an executive producer.[2][3][4]
Filming
The production got underway in Cornwall in November 2023.[5] Filming locations included St Ives and Padstow, as well as Mawgan Porth beach and Park Head, Cornwall and lasted into early 2024.[6]
Broadcast
The series was broadcast on ITV and its accompanying streaming / catch up service ITVX beginning on 5 January 2025.[7][8]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 71% of 7 critics' reviews are positive. [9]
Anita Singh, for The Telegraph, reviewed the series positively, claiming a "child-swap thriller doesn’t need to be believable to be addictive".[10] Writing for Digital Spy, Janet A Leigh rated the series 5 stars, describing it as “the kind of show that will plague your mind in an infuriating, all-consuming, perfectly addictive way.”[11] However, Rachel Aroesti, writing for The Guardian, labelled the show "mind-bendingly bad" conclusively describing it as "the worst of modern television: a witless mystery overly reliant on insidious ambience and really nice houses".[12]
References
- ^ Collier, Katie (22 November 2023). "Happy Valley's James Norton to star in ITV's Playing Nice". Northern Echo. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "ITV commissions psychological thriller, Playing Nice, starring James Norton, Niamh Algar, James McArdle and Jessica Brown Findlay". ITVX. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ Darvill, Josh (21 November 2023). "Playing Nice TV series to star James Norton and Niamh Algar". Tellmix. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Lewis, George (22 November 2023). "Happy Valley's James Norton in first-look at new ITV thriller". Dogital Spy. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ Kanter, Jake (21 November 2023). "'Happy Valley' Star James Norton To Headline ITV, StudioCanal Baby Swap Series 'Playing Nice'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
- ^ Taylor, Mike (5 January 2024). "Playing Nice filming locations as James Norton praises 'very beautiful' Cornwall". Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ "James Norton and Niamh Algar to star in new ITV1 psychological thriller 'Playing Nice'". I Talk Telly. 21 November 2023. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ Mensah, Katelyn (22 November 2023). "James Norton and Niamh Algar lead psychological thriller Playing Nice". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
- ^ "Playing Nice - Limited Series". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 10 January 2025.
- ^ Singh, Anita (5 January 2025). "Playing Nice, review: child-swap thriller doesn't need to be believable to be addictive". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
- ^ Leigh, Janet A (27 December 2024). "Is James Norton's ITV drama Playing Nice worth watching?". Digital Spy. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
- ^ Aroesti, Rachel (5 January 2025). "Playing Nice review – James Norton's baby-swap thriller is mind-bendingly bad". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 January 2025.
External links
- Playing Nice at IMDb