ITV's new psychological thriller, Playing Nice, is hitting the screens with not just gripping drama but also breathtaking Cornish backdrops. The series, adapted from JP Delaney's best-selling novel, follows two couples who face the nightmare of discovering their toddlers were swapped at birth. Starring James Norton and Niamh Algar as one couple and James McArdle and Jessica Brown Findlay as the other, the show explores complex themes of parenthood, class, and the nature versus nurture debate.
Filmed primarily along Cornwall's stunning coastline between late 2023 and early 2024, Playing Nice replaces the original London setting with dramatic corners of this southwest England gem. James Norton, who plays the character Pete and also serves as the executive producer, expressed his fondness for Cornwall, stating, "I love filming in Cornwall! It's been an amazing experience. Miles and Lucy’s home is located on the top of a hill overlooking a beautiful beach, and on the second day of filming, James McArdle [who plays Miles] and I had to surf for a scene which was really fun."
This four-part series is set against the backdrop of Cornwall, famed for its rugged cliffs and stunning seascapes. Notably, some of the filming locations include St Ives, Padstow, and Mawgan Porth, where the surfing scenes were shot. The location manager, Poppy Gordon-Clark, chosen for this production, highlighted the area’s advantages: “We wanted something to truly define the world our characters live in and Cornwall does just this with its foreboding seas, crashing waves, and beautiful skies.”
Norton’s co-star, James McArdle, also shared his enthusiasm for the filming experience, describing it as fantastic: "The actual filming has just been a real inconvenience to my Cornwall adventure haha! We all learnt to surf, and it’s been incredible. We had a local surfing teacher who adopted us and every day I looked forward to getting back to the sea."
From their interactions with the local surf culture to pottering around the charming towns during breaks, the cast thoroughly embraced the Cornish lifestyle. "We went pottering around St Ives during lunch breaks. It’s such a special thing to entrench ourselves within this community," Norton added.
What made the choice of Cornwall particularly fitting was the reflective nature of the scenery which mirrored the emotional turmoil of the characters. Director Kate Hewitt aimed for this authenticity, stating, "She didn’t want it to feel picturesque or pretty. She wanted it to feel real, and to have a foreboding atmosphere so the turmoil of these characters was reflected.”
The twisty plot of Playing Nice grips audiences with the haunting question: What would you do if you found out your child isn’t your own? Notably, the characters confront hidden motives and the uncertainties of their real identities as parents. This thriller is expected to have viewers squirm with tension.
With its unique narrative and breathtaking visual appeal, Playing Nice aims to offer something original and riveting to the viewing public. The series is set to premiere on ITV1 at 9 PM on Sunday, January 5, 2024, with each subsequent episode airing on Mondays and Sundays as part of its four-part saga.
Fans of psychological dramas and stunning cinematography will have much to look forward to. The immersive atmosphere provided by Cornwall is sure to enrich the storytelling and engage viewers as they follow these intertwined lives filled with heartbreak, mystery, and suspense.