Playing Nice is a 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.
| 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 |
Synopsis
editTwo couples discover their children were switched at birth.[1]
Cast
edit- James Norton as Pete Riley
- Niamh Algar as Maddie Wilson
- James McArdle as Miles Lambert
- Jessica Brown Findlay as Lucy Lambert
Production
editGrace 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
editThe 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
editThe series was broadcast on ITV and it's accompanying streaming / catch up service ITVX beginning on 5 January 2025.[7][8]
Reception
editOn 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
edit- ^ 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
edit- Playing Nice at IMDb