ITV has finally confirmed a release date for the new gripping Playing Nice series which stars Happy Valley’s James Norton.

The psychological thriller is set against a sweeping Cornish landscape, as two couples discover that their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix-up, and face a huge dilemma: do they keep the sons they have raised and loved, or reclaim their biological child? 

ITV explains: “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 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.”

But when can viewers expect to see Norton in his latest role?

ITV Playing Nice release date revealed – it’s soon

ITV has announced Playing Nice will first air on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 9pm on ITV1, with the following episodes airing on Mondays and Sundays in the same timeslot.

There are four episodes in total, each airing for 60 minutes.

Playing Nice is adapted by Malpractice writer Grace Ofori-Attah from the best-selling novel by British thriller author JP Delaney.

The series was produced by Rabbit Track Pictures, a production company founded by Norton.

ITV Playing Nice cast list

  • Pete - James Norton
  • Maddie - Niamh Algar
  • Miles - James McArdle
  • Lucy - Jessica Brown Findlay

How to watch Playing Nice trailer

As well as featuring in Playing Nice, Norton has also been filming for the period drama King and Conqueror, which started production in Iceland this year.

He recently told Deadline: “If you start to repeat the same thing it becomes less interesting, we stop growing as creatives and also as a company.

“I think it’s been amazing to jump from Cornwall in this beautiful expansive family and psychological drama, to a period drama set in medieval England with a cast four times the size.”

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Speaking about founding Rabbit Track pictures, Norton shared: “I have huge newfound respect for people… everyone who stands two, three years back, before we even get to that first day of principal photography, I see and appreciate the incredible work.

“The amount of time and emotional investment people put into [crafting] a monologue or a scene, these decisions are huge. And then actors come on set and might just decide that ‘I think I might say this a bit differently.’ Now, I think, oh my god, do you not realise the amount of work which has been put into this?”

Playing Nice airs on ITV1 on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 9pm.