ITV Playing Nice under fire following debut as James Norton drama series slammed for ‘frustrating’ plot hole

ITV’s latest drama Playing Nice has been met with a rather mixed reaction by viewers who tuned into the debut episode on Sunday.

The edge-of-your seat series starring Happy Valley star James Norton follows the tale of two families who learn their sons had been swapped at birth following a mistake at the hospital they were born at.

While the gripping plot attracted viewers to tune in, many were left disappointed as they deemed it “unrealistic”.

It came as, during one point in the episode, the families made contact and met each other without supervision from any organisation such as social services.

They even managed to find out each others’ address, which sparked many to complain they couldn’t take the drama seriously.

Viewers expressed their critique of the show on social media, with one writing on X: “I work in the legal sector (family), so I know exactly how this situation would work from the beginning, the ridiculousness of it so far has put me off taking it seriously, if i knew NOTHING about the law it might be quite compelling…”

“I’m sorry but whose idea was this unrealistic c**p?? Thank God for patience, cos what the Hell #PlayingNice,” a second wrote.

“Binged it…. It’s so unrealistic it’s comical…. Actors are great tho, but only if you suspend all disbelief in the story it’s telling….. as it makes no legal sense in anyway…. Probably why it’s a drama and not a documentary #playingnice,” another shared.

“#PlayingNice so OTT and politically incorrect. It amazes me how writers can get away with these kinds of stories and then a drama gets made. It’s not the first and wont be the last #unrealistic #frustratingviewing,” a fourth posted.

“Gutted by how god damn predictable and unrealistic this show is. I was looking forward to watching it when I seen it advertised. It’s such an interesting concept for a show though two kids unknowingly switched at birth #PlayingNice,” another X user commented.

However, some defended the first episode, with one sharing: “Watched the first episode and a bit of #playingnice – wife and I both felt uncomfortable. I mean it’s so unrealistic I know, but as a parent of young kids, one of which left our side in hospital, it hits home.” (sic)

A synopsis for the drama reads: “At first, it seems all four are agreed on a solution, but it soon becomes clear that hidden motives are at play.

“How far can each couple trust the real parents of their child – or even each other? As Pete and Maddie are stretched to breaking point, they realise they will stop at nothing to keep their family together.”

Talking about the show ahead of its debut, Norton, 39, explained as he delved into the characters: “All four of them are beautifully drawn in the book and they’ve only been enriched as we’ve adapted and this world has grown from that book.

“But as that process was happening, and we relocated to Cornwall, this Cornish man, this every man, this good soul put in this horrible situation suddenly became really interesting to me and something I haven’t really done before.”

Speaking to Hello!, he continued: “I feel like there’s something in Pete which is incredibly modern and courageous in that he’s a perfect example of a type of progressive man who’s just happy to step back from his career and be a stay-at-home dad and doesn’t make a big hoo-ha about it.

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“It’s not like, ‘Look at me wearing my feminist hat!’. He’s just a guy who prioritises family and friends and his partner, Maddie, who is career-minded and ambitious, and that works really well.”

Norton has featured in several hard-hitting dramas but is widely known for his portrayal of BBC’s Happy Valley villain, Tommy Lee Royce.

Following his highly-praised role in the drama, Norton has found himself rumoured to be the next James Bond.

However, he quashed rumours in 2023 when he explained When asked by Variety if he had met with Bond producers, he replied: “No, no, no, none of that.

“No, no conversations. Basically nothing else to say other than I think they’re probably still working it all out.”