ITV's new psychological thriller, Playing Nice, captures the emotional turmoil faced by two couples who discover their sons were switched at birth. The gripping four-part miniseries, airing on ITV1 and available for streaming on ITVX, is based on the best-selling novel by JP Delaney and features stunning performances from a stellar cast.
Set against the idyllic backdrop of Cornwall, Playing Nice embarks on the harrowing dilemma faced by Pete Riley, played by James Norton, and Maddie Riley, portrayed by Niamh Algar. The couple receives the shocking news from the hospital: their three-year-old son Theo was not biologically theirs. Instead, their biological son was raised by another couple, Miles and Lucy Lambert, played by James McArdle and Jessica Brown Findlay, respectively. This shocking mix-up leads to gut-wrenching questions about the nature of parenthood and the bonds of love.
According to ITV drama commissioner Helen Perry, Playing Nice is "an enthralling thriller with a knotty moral dilemma at its heart." Viewers are asked to confront their instincts—what would they do if faced with the premise of reclaiming their biological child or continuing to raise the child they have nurtured for years?
Set to launch on January 5, 2025, the series comprises four episodes. Each episode is expected to peel back layers of the couples' relationships, exploring the psychological intricacies and unspoken tensions. "There’s a switch in the second half of the series where it gets a lot darker," hinted McArdle, emphasizing the dramatic shifts awaiting viewers as the story progresses.
The lead character, Pete, finds himself caught in the emotional crossfire, grappling with feelings for the child he has raised, all the meanwhile contending with the authoritative presence of Miles, the biological father driven by ambition. McArdle's portrayal of Miles is enticing, as he navigates moral ambiguities and exhibits controlling behavior directed at Lucy, who at times appears passive. The dynamic promises to unsettle as secrets and motivations intertwine.
While the series has garnered attention for its premise, it is within the emotional performances and moral conflict where its strength lies. McArdle’s character reveals layers of darkness, complicity, and ambition. He said, "It’s good when you're with three people you trust and like, and all four of us have known each other from different projects."
This connection culminates to shape their performances and intensify the narrative's stakes.
Critics, watching early episodes, note the shocking revelations throughout the series. One critic spoke to the curious nature of the situations the couples face: "Initially, both couples agree to maintain their current relationships with their children, but the actual course of events is anything but harmonious." Playing Nice has been described by some reviewers as both frantically tense and implausible, leaving viewers suspended between horror, excitement, and disbelief as the plot twists evolve.
One comment jarred with the setup: "Frequently you’ll wonder why the characters aren’t more traumatized by the situation." The necessary emotional depth may be sought after as the drama coils with tense moments of quiet domesticity, overshadowed by sudden upheavals.
It will be interesting to see how Playing Nice navigates the nuanced moral dilemmas raised when one couple's love for their child is pitted against another’s maternal instincts. The series focuses heavily on both the physical and emotional barriers the couples face. With each episode, the interactions between Pete and Maddie rise alongside Miles and Lucy, painting drastically different parenting philosophies and prompting viewers to examine their beliefs on familial love.
With whispers of potential courtroom battles on the horizon, the series suggests emotional stakes are rising, forcing each pair to more directly confront their wants and needs as parents. The narrative presents layers of difficulty, raising questions about how far one might go for love.
Audiences will easily be drawn back for the unraveling plot each week. ITV promises viewers engaging drama from Playing Nice as tensions rise and truths surface. The miniseries is available to catch up on ITVX following its release.