James Norton’s Gripping Four-Part Psychological Thriller Rivals Happy Valley With A Story That Plays On Every Parent’s Worst Nightmare — And All Four Episodes Are Available To Binge In One Night

James Norton delivered one of British television’s most memorable performances as the terrifying Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley. But another extraordinary drama starring the acclaimed actor deserves just as much attention.

Playing Nice is a deeply unsettling four-part psychological thriller that transforms an unimaginable parenting nightmare into a gripping story of deception, desperation and fractured relationships.

Also starring Niamh Algar, James McArdle and Jessica Brown Findlay, the ITV drama explores what happens when two seemingly ordinary families discover that their entire lives have been built around a devastating hospital mistake.

And with all four episodes available to stream, the series makes for a compelling evening of television.

A Hospital Mistake That Destroys Two Families’ Peaceful Lives

Adapted from JP Delaney’s bestselling novel by Malpractice writer Grace Ofori-Attah, Playing Nice introduces former journalist Pete Riley, played by James Norton, and his partner Maddie Wilson, played by Niamh Algar.

The couple enjoy a seemingly happy existence in Cornwall with their three-year-old son, Theo.

However, their world is shattered when they discover that Theo is not their biological child.

A hospital mix-up resulted in two babies being switched at birth, meaning another couple has spent the past three years raising Pete and Maddie’s biological son.

That couple is Miles and Lucy Lambert, played by James McArdle and Jessica Brown Findlay.

Suddenly, both families face an almost impossible decision: remain with the children they have raised and grown to love, or reclaim their biological sons.

Initially, the four adults appear to agree on a way forward.

But beneath their apparently reasonable conversations, hidden motives begin to emerge, and what starts as a devastating personal dilemma gradually develops into a disturbing psychological battle.

James Norton Delivers Another Extraordinary Performance

For viewers accustomed to seeing Norton portray the chilling Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley, his performance in Playing Nice showcases a very different side of his acting abilities.

As Pete, Norton captures the desperation of a father confronting the possibility of losing the child he loves.

The actor, who also serves as an executive producer, explained that he wanted audiences to experience the same panic and dread felt by Pete and Maddie.

He also hoped the drama would encourage viewers to reflect on their own family relationships and consider the importance of emotional bonds beyond biological connections.

The series explores the complicated relationship between genetics, upbringing and parenthood, while maintaining the relentless suspense of a psychological thriller.

An Exceptional Cast Makes The Drama Even More Powerful

Norton is joined by an impressive ensemble of British television talent, including:

• James Norton (Happy Valley) as Pete Riley
• Niamh Algar (The Virtues) as Maddie Wilson
• Jessica Brown Findlay (Downton Abbey, Harlots) as Lucy Lambert
• James McArdle as Miles Lambert
• Posy Sterling (World on Fire) as Kiera
• Lucy Phelps (Grace) as Suzy
• Philippe Spall (Downton Abbey) as Martin Swale
• Akbar Kurtha (Doctors) as DS Chopra

The emotional intensity of the four central performances makes the unfolding conflict particularly uncomfortable to watch.

A Psychological Thriller That Becomes Increasingly Unsettling

One of the drama’s most memorable early moments arrives when Miles appears at Pete and Maddie’s home and introduces himself with four devastating words:

“I’m the other dad.”

From that moment, the security of their family life begins to unravel.

What makes Playing Nice so effective is the terrifying plausibility of its central premise. There are no supernatural threats or elaborate criminal conspiracies — just two families confronted with an extraordinary situation that exposes their vulnerabilities and tests their trust in one another.

Good Housekeeping praised the series as a fantastic but gut-wrenching watch, highlighting Norton’s extraordinary performance and the emotional depth of his co-stars.

Where To Watch Playing Nice

All four episodes of Playing Nice are available to stream on ITVX in the UK.

With a running time of approximately four hours, the drama is an ideal choice for viewers searching for a tense, emotionally charged thriller to binge in a single evening.

Happy Valley demonstrated James Norton’s ability to portray a terrifying criminal. Playing Nice proves he can be equally compelling as an ordinary father facing an unimaginable nightmare — one that threatens everything he loves.