Playing Nice: Season 1

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Generally favorable reviews based on 8 Critic Reviews

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Season Details & Credits

BritBox | Season Premiere Date: August 26, 2025

Summary: Three years ago, the son of Pete (James Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar) was switched with the son of Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay) at the hospital when they were born in the four-part British drama based on J. P. Delaney's novel of the same name.

[Premiered originally in the UK on ITV on 5 Jan 2025 and in the USThree years ago, the son of Pete (James Norton) and Maddie (Niamh Algar) was switched with the son of Miles (James McArdle) and Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay) at the hospital when they were born in the four-part British drama based on J. P. Delaney's novel of the same name.

[Premiered originally in the UK on ITV on 5 Jan 2025 and in the US on BritBox on 26 Aug 2025]… Expand

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series

Season 1 Episodes

No episode information is currently available for this season

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

The Times Carol Midgley

Jul 28, 2025

Grace Ofori-Attah’s nimble adaptation of JP Delaney’s novel had faith in its excellent cast’s ability to illuminate deep feeling with subtle looks, gestures and evasions. Read full review

The Telegraph Anita Singh

Jul 28, 2025

It’s more-ish, though, one of those bingeably implausible dramas that you will thoroughly enjoy if you surrender to it rather than yelling: “But that would never happen!” Read full review

i Emily Baker

Jul 28, 2025

With no murder and no mystery, Playing Nice is a different type of thriller. One that makes you question your own stance on the nature vs nurture debate, on the differences between motherhood and fatherhood, on what you would do in such a horrific situation. Read full review

Lacy Baugher

Aug 26, 2025

There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking or memorable about Playing Nice, nor does the drama have anything especially profound to say about parenting. You’ll likely remember your frustration with it far longer than any of its plot specifics. And yet, while you’re watching it, you’ll still find yourself desperate to know what happens next. Read full review

The Observer (UK) Barbara Ellen

Jul 28, 2025

The main problem, oddly, is Norton (also an executive producer). Not only does Pete’s accent go walkabout from Penzance to Surrey; he is such a soggy dweeb, lamenting away in his Seasalt Cornwall separates, that it feels like a misguided ruse to guard against Norton being typecast for ever as Tommy from Happy Valley. McArdle, however, is convincingly menacing: all faux-bonhomie and granite-hard eyes. Read full review

The Independent Nick Hilton

Jul 28, 2025

There’s a good human thriller buried in there, about the interpersonal challenges of unriddling an unthinkable situation. But what we get, instead, is another whiplash-inducing, overripe shock fest, which privileges handbrake turns over steady handling. Read full review

The Guardian Rachel Aroesti

Jul 28, 2025

Playing Nice is clearly unconcerned with interrogating real human emotions or examining what it actually means to be a parent. Instead, it’s the worst of modern television: a witless mystery overly reliant on insidious ambience and really nice houses. Read full review

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Seasons & Episodes

63

Series Overview
Season 1

63
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: August 26, 2025
- No episode information is currently available for this season