ITV viewers have been left perplexed by a ‘far-fetched’ oversight in a brand new series starring Happy Valley actor James Norton. Playing Nice, which debuted on ITV on Sunday night, follows the story of two couples who find out their children were switched at birth – the mishap reveals dark secrets about both couples’ lives.
Image Credit: Metro [Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joss Barratt/REX/Shutterstock (15035036c) Jessica Brown-Findlay as Lucy. 'Playing Nice' TV Show, Series 1, Episode 2 UK - 06 Jan 2025 Playing Nice, is a British ITV psychological thriller adapted by Malpractice writer Grace Ofori-Attah from the best-selling novel by British thriller author JP Delaney. Two couples discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up and face a horrifying dilemma: do they keep the sons they have raised and loved or reclaim their biological child? Living a waking nightmare, Pete (James Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar) are jettisoned into the world of the other couple Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay). At first it seems all four are agreed on a solution, but are hidden motives are at play? How far can each couple trust the real parents of their child or even each other?]
It stars James Bond hopeful James alongside The Virtues actress Niamh Algar, Mare of Easttown’s James McArdle, and Downton Abbey’s Jessica Brown Findlay. Produced and filmed on location in Cornwall, the four-part series picks up after a dreadful mistake on a maternity ward sees two newborns mixed up in the system.
Image Credit: Metro [Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joss Barratt/REX/Shutterstock (15034292ai) James McArdle as Miles and Jessica Brown-Findlay as Lucy. 'Playing Nice' TV Show, Series 1, Episode 1, UK - 05 Jan 2025 Playing Nice, is a British ITV psychological thriller adapted by Malpractice writer Grace Ofori-Attah from the best-selling novel by British thriller author JP Delaney. Two couples discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up and face a horrifying dilemma: do they keep the sons they have raised and loved or reclaim their biological child? Living a waking nightmare, Pete (James Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar) are jettisoned into the world of the other couple Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay). At first it seems all four are agreed on a solution, but are hidden motives are at play? How far can each couple trust the real parents of their child or even each other?]
However, some viewers who tuned in last night weren’t happy after spotting an ‘unrealistic’ plot hole, and they took to social media to air their grievances. In the show, the two couples make contact with one another after the unfortunate baby-swap incident – and some viewers couldn’t even get past that premise.
Image Credit: Metro [Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock (14908379u) James Norton 'Playing Nice' TV Mini Series Photocall, London, UK - 15 Nov 2024]
On X, @Gel_277 said: ‘And the award for the most unrealistic drama ever goes to Playing Nice. So many wrongs throughout. Not least; no counselling.’. @MichZiff concurred: ‘Surely there would be some kind of professional mediation or social worker/lawyer present in a neutral zone? So off the mark, this.’.
Also speaking on X, @Frazzlenut remarked: ‘Finished Playing Nice. Shame it was such a far-fetched plot because everything else about the series was brilliant.’. However, others defended the series for its decision not to involve mediators at first, saying that TV dramas don’t have to be completely realistic for the story to work.
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joss Barratt/REX/Shutterstock (15035036c) Jessica Brown-Findlay as Lucy. 'Playing Nice' TV Show, Series 1, Episode 2 UK - 06 Jan 2025 Playing Nice, is a British ITV psychological thriller adapted by Malpractice writer Grace Ofori-Attah from the best-selling novel by British thriller author JP Delaney. Two couples discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up and face a horrifying dilemma: do they keep the sons they have raised and loved or reclaim their biological child? Living a waking nightmare, Pete (James Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar) are jettisoned into the world of the other couple Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay). At first it seems all four are agreed on a solution, but are hidden motives are at play? How far can each couple trust the real parents of their child or even each other?]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235056974-250b.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Joss Barratt/REX/Shutterstock (15034292ai) James McArdle as Miles and Jessica Brown-Findlay as Lucy. 'Playing Nice' TV Show, Series 1, Episode 1, UK - 05 Jan 2025 Playing Nice, is a British ITV psychological thriller adapted by Malpractice writer Grace Ofori-Attah from the best-selling novel by British thriller author JP Delaney. Two couples discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up and face a horrifying dilemma: do they keep the sons they have raised and loved or reclaim their biological child? Living a waking nightmare, Pete (James Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar) are jettisoned into the world of the other couple Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay). At first it seems all four are agreed on a solution, but are hidden motives are at play? How far can each couple trust the real parents of their child or even each other?]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235056969-03fe.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
![[Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock (14908379u) James Norton 'Playing Nice' TV Mini Series Photocall, London, UK - 15 Nov 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/SEI_233741318-c004-e1734612902481.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
