The four-part drama has been adapted by Grace Ofori-Attah from JP Delaney's bestselling novel about two toddlers switched at birth.
With filming currently underway in Cornwall, ITV has announced a new four-part drama for ITV1 and ITVX called Playing Nice.
Adapted by Grace Ofori-Attah from JP Delaney's bestselling novel, 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. They each face a horrifying dilemma. Do they keep the sons they have raised and loved? Or reclaim their biological child?
Living a waking nightmare, Pete and Maddie, played by James Norton and Niamh Algar, are jettisoned into the world of the other couple, Miles and Lucy, played by James McArdle and 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 realize they will stop at nothing to keep their family together.
Produced by Rabbit Track Pictures and STUDIOCANAL, Playing Nice will be directed by Kate Hewitt, produced by Nick Pitt and executive produced by Kitty Kaletsky, James Norton, Kate Crowe for Rabbit Track Pictures, Joe Naftalin and Isobel Carter for STUDIOCANAL as well as Grace Ofori-Attah and JP Delaney.
Speaking on behalf of Rabbit Track Pictures, Kitty Kaletsky and James Norton said "Playing Nice was the first book we optioned after launching Rabbit Track and we feel immensely proud of the project it has become. To be working with ITV, STUDIOCANAL, wonderful Grace Ofori-Attah, visionary Kate Hewitt, our unbelievable cast and the whole rest of the production team is a huge privilege. We’re thrilled and very excited."
To which writer Grace Ofori-Attah added "It has been an absolute privilege to adapt JP Delaney’s gripping novel for the screen. I am thrilled to be working with Rabbit Track and STUDIOCANAL, as well as our incredible cast and production team. I’m also excited to be partnering with ITV again on my second drama series, and can’t wait for Playing Nice to hit TV screens next year."
STUDIOCANAL's Joe Naftalin and Isobel Carter said "We are hugely excited to be launching this production. We are delighted to be working with our wonderful cast and crew, working from a brilliant script by Grace Ofori-Attah, and with powerful direction from Kate Hewitt."
"We are grateful to our partners at ITV, CANAL+, Rabbit Track - and to JP Delaney for allowing us the opportunity to adapt his gripping novel. We can’t wait to share this captivating series with audiences around the world next year."
To which ITV's Drama Commissioner Helen Perry added "Playing Nice is an enthralling thriller with a knotty moral dilemma at its heart. Not only will viewers be hooked, they'll be left questioning 'what would I do...?' As Grace Ofori-Attah's superb script raises questions about the nature of parenting and how far we'll go for those we love."
"We're thrilled to have on board such a stellar cast and crew, and we're delighted to be working with the team at STUDIOCANAL and Rabbit Track Pictures to bring this fantastic adaption to ITV1 and ITVX."
Playing Nice will air in 2024 on ITV1