ITV is kicking off 2025 with gripping drama as its new psychological thriller Playing Nice premieres tonight, delving deep within the tangled dynamics of parenthood. The four-part series, based on J.P. Delaney's best-selling novel, plunges the viewers straight away as two couples are hit with the shocking news: their children were switched at birth due to hospital mix-up.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Cornwall, the show follows parents Pete (James Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar), alongside Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay). This riveting tale of emotional turmoil explores themes of trust, love, and the ultimate question of whether to keep the child one has raised or reclaim one’s biological offspring.
Norton, known for his stellar work from Happy Valley to Grantchester, takes center stage as Pete, who has shifted from journalism to being a devoted stay-at-home dad. Although he champions progressive ideals, discovering his child was inadvertently swapped sends him spiraling. "The role is emotionally challenging to play, and it takes you to a dark yet unusual place," confessed Norton, acknowledging the depth and challenges of embodying such complex emotions.
Viewers will witness four parents connecting for the first time under emotional duress, grappling with their reality. Initially, it appears there’s consensus on how to navigate the reshaped family dynamic. Yet, as the narrative unfurls, ulterior motives begin to emerge, igniting tension between the couples. "How far can each couple trust the real parents of their child or even each other?" the series synopsis teases, hinting at the fraught psychological terrain the characters will traverse.
Niamh Algar portrays Maddie, who faces her own struggles. After battling postnatal depression, she’s determined to maintain her family, only to confront her worst fears. "Initially, we want them to feel the panic, the feeling of dread…" Norton revealed, expressing hopes the series will encourage viewers to reflect on their relationships with their own children regardless of biological ties.
James McArdle’s character, Miles, is depicted as financially ambitious and self-driven, which complicates his relationship with Pete. The two men represent different facets of parenthood, with McArdle indicating, "Miles is just going to be relentless ... he’s nearly there and the last component of his life is his blood son to carry on his family, so he’s not going to let this hippy dippy guy (Pete) get in the way." This stark divergence between characters foreshadows conflicts to come as parental love is put to the ultimate test.
Jessica Brown Findlay as Lucy embodies the fierce protectiveness of parents. Her character’s development throughout the series reveals darker shades of her maternal instincts, presenting viewers with the complex nature of family and love.
Behind the scenes, the emotional toll of filming was palpable. Norton recounted how the actors sometimes struggled to contain their feelings, stating they "broke down on set" during gripping scenes. He described one particularly heartbreaking moment after attempting to reprimand one of the child actors, leaving them teary-eyed. "We felt like such awful people." Such experiences lend authenticity to their performances, portraying the rawness of parenthood and the hardships one may unexpectedly face.
This immersive exploration grapples not only with the sentiment of loss but also themes involving the nature versus nurture debate. With Norton commenting on how rare it is to find stories encompassing such situations, he noted the challenge becomes imagining the pain many parents undergo under these unimaginable circumstances.
Playing Nice sets the stage for intense drama, where every choice is imbued with emotional weight. It raises provocative questions about family dynamics, parental love, and personal identity, letting each character’s response unfurl through the pressures of their new reality.
The series kicks off on ITV1 at 9 PM tonight, with subsequent episodes airing each Sunday and Monday at the same time. For those eager to binge-watch, ITVX will make all episodes available for streaming after the premiere. With rich storytelling and compelling performances, audiences can look forward to witnessing the unraveling of two couples grappling with the darkest corners of parenthood.