Happy Valley's James Norton in first-look at new ITV thriller

james norton, playing nice
James Norton in first-look at new ITV thrillerITV
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Playing Nice, the new ITV series starring James Norton and Jessica Brown Findlay, has released its first-look.

The four-part series, which is based on JP Delaney’s 2020 novel, follows two couples who discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up, with the group facing the dilemma of either keeping the sons they raised or reclaiming their biological children.

james norton, playing nice
ITV

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At first it seems all four - Pete (Norton), Maddie (Niamh Algar), Miles (James McArdle), Lucy (Findlay) - are agreed on a solution, but it soon becomes clear that hidden motives are at play, with the couples assessing how much they can trust each other.

Delaney’s novel has been adapted for the screen by Grace Ofori-Attah, with Kate Hewitt set to direct all four episodes of the drama, which has been filmed in Cornwall. Norton is producing the series alongside Kitty Kaletsky, with the pair releasing a statement.

“Playing Nice was the first book we optioned after launching Rabbit Track and we feel immensely proud of the project it has become,” they said. “To be working with ITV, StudioCanal, the wonderful Ofori-Attah and visionary Hewitt [alongside] our unbelievable cast and [crew] is a huge privilege. We’re thrilled and very excited.”

niamh algar, playing nice
ITV

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“It has been an absolute privilege to adapt JP Delaney’s gripping novel for the screen,” added Ofori-Attah. “I am thrilled to be working with Rabbit Track and StudioCanal, as well as our incredible cast and production team. I’m also excited to be partnering with ITV again on my second drama series, and can’t wait for Playing Nice to hit TV screens next year.”

ITV Drama Commissioner Helen Perry also teased the series, saying: “Playing Nice is an enthralling thriller with a knotty moral dilemma at its heart. Not only will viewers be hooked, they’ll be left questioning: ‘what would I do...?’ as Grace’s superb script raises questions about the nature of parenting and how far we’ll go for those we love.”

Playing Nice will air in 2024.

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