ITV’s Playing Nice review: what lengths would you go to protect your child?

ITV’s Playing Nice is one of the most gripping dramas I’ve seen in a long time. This four-part psychological thriller isn’t just for entertainment; it’ll make you think deeply about family, identity, and the devastating moral dilemmas that can arise when you’re put in the most unimaginable situation. 

Adapted from JP Delaney’s best-selling novel of the same name by Malpractice writer Grace Ofori-Attah, the series weaves suspense, raw emotion, and sharp social commentary into a narrative that’s as harrowing as it is captivating. From the very first episode, I was hooked - unable to look away from the unfolding nightmare that two families are thrust into when they discover their toddlers were switched after birth.

An impossible question

At its core, Playing Nice asks an impossible question: what would you do if you discovered the child you’ve raised isn’t biologically yours? As the couples try to navigate this unimaginable dilemma, alliances shift, secrets are revealed, and the true nature of each character comes to light.

James Norton (Happy Valley) and Niamh Algar (The Virtues) bring a vulnerability to their roles as Pete Riley and Maddie Wilson that’s relatable. They’re not perfect parents (is anyone?), but they’re real and undeniably human. You can’t help but root for them as they resiliently fight to keep their family together, even as their trust in each other begins to fray under the immense pressure.

Opposite them, James McArdle (The Mare of Easttown) and Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey) portray Miles and Lucy Lambert. McArdle’s Miles is a chilling character - narcissistic, calculating, and relentless in his pursuit of control - a stark contrast to Brown Findlay’s enigmatic Lucy. 

Trigger warnings

The show doesn’t shy away from difficult topics. As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of postpartum depression, I found Maddie’s journey incredibly moving and relatable. The flashbacks to her intrusive thoughts and struggles bonding with her baby were hard to watch but felt so honest. In fact, it’s rare to see such a raw depiction of PND on screen, and I’m certain it will resonate with many who have faced similar challenges.

Niamh Algar as Maddie Wilson in ITV's Playing Nice

Playing Nice also delves into the trauma of neonatal intensive care stays, an experience that can be triggering for families who’ve lived through it, like my own. My eldest spent two weeks in the NICU due to neonatal sepsis, and despite being full term, the time spent there has haunted me since. So, to have to survive that, deal with PND and then discover that the child you’re raising isn’t biologically your own? Playing Nice was never going to be a nice, comfortable watch. 

I also love that the series interrogates societal expectations of motherhood - contrasting Maddie’s modern struggles as a working mother (which she’s vilified for by the Lamberts, unsurprisingly) with Miles’s adherence to more old-school, and dare I say controlling, values. 

A psychological battle

As the story unfolds, Playing Nice evolves into a tense psychological battle. Miles’s manipulative tactics are infuriating to watch. But through it all, Pete and Maddie’s resilience as a couple is a highlight for me. Despite everything happening, and what they’ve survived in the past as a couple, they are willing to do whatever it takes to fight for their family. Their determination makes them deeply sympathetic characters, even as they face accusations and judgments that feel painfully unfair.

The Cornish coastline serves as more than just a setting; it’s almost a character in its own right. The cliffs, beaches, and stormy seas mirror the turbulent emotions of the characters, adding an extra layer of tension to the story. Director Kate Hewitt’s use of lighting and framing creates an atmosphere that’s beautifully haunting and pulls you deeper into the narrative.

The series builds to a finale that had me on the edge of my seat, faced with the question “what lengths would you go through to protect your child?” By the end, I was left with a mix of heartbreak and hope. The final scenes felt like a bittersweet resolution. It’s not a perfect ending, but it’s one that reflects the messy, complicated reality of their situation.

James McArdle as Miles on the left, James Norton's Pete on the right

Playing Nice is a triumph of storytelling. It’s not just a thriller; it’s a deeply human drama that tackles difficult themes with sensitivity and nuance. The performances are stellar, the writing is sharp, and the emotional impact is profound. For me, it’s a series that lingers long after the credits roll, making me question what I would do in the characters’ shoes.

If you’re looking for a show that challenges your perceptions, keeps you guessing, and tugs at your heartstrings, Playing Nice is not to be missed. Just be prepared for an emotional rollercoaster - this is a story that’ll stay with you. 

ITV’s Playing Nice airs at 9pm on Sunday 5th January on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

About the author

Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she brings parents content designed to make life easier.

After spending two weeks in NICU with her eldest mid-pandemic in 2020, she knows all too well the aftermath such an experience can have on parents and families. Add postnatal depression following the arrival of her second child, and she’s well placed to review the complexities that are covered in ITV’s Playing Nice.