Viewers Criticize ‘Playing Nice’ for Unrealistic Plot, Despite Gripping Drama

The new ITV drama ‘Playing Nice,’ based on JP Delaney’s novel, has sparked mixed reactions from viewers and critics alike. The series, which premiered this week, follows two families whose lives are turned upside down when they discover their babies were accidentally switched at birth. Starring James Norton, Niamh Algar, James McArdle, and Jessica Brown Findlay, the show explores the emotional and ethical dilemmas of the situation, but its increasingly implausible plot has left many viewers frustrated.

The story begins with the Rileys, a seemingly happy family consisting of chef Maddie (Niamh Algar), stay-at-home dad Pete (James Norton), and their son Theo. Their lives are shattered when a hospital reveals that Theo is not their biological child due to a mix-up in the neonatal intensive care unit. The revelation leads to a tense encounter with Miles (James McArdle), Theo’s biological father, and his wife Lucy (Jessica Brown Findlay), who have been raising the Rileys’ biological son, David.

While the premise taps into a universal fear for parents, the show quickly devolves into what critics describe as a ‘whiplash-inducing, overripe shock fest.’ Viewers have criticized the lack of realism, particularly in scenes where the two couples meet without professional mediation or supervision. ‘I cannot believe for a second that both couples would just be allowed to meet one another without professional mediation or supervision,’ one viewer wrote on X/Twitter.

Despite its flaws, some viewers have found the drama gripping. ‘As unrealistic as it is, #PlayingNice is a bit good. Miles is a complete weirdo, but there’s gonna be a big twist at one point,’ one fan commented. However, others have dismissed the show as ‘nonsense’ and ‘unbelievable,’ with one viewer calling it ‘the worst of modern television.’

Critics have also panned the series for its reliance on shock value over substance. ‘What we get, instead, is another whiplash-inducing, overripe shock fest, which privileges handbrake turns over steady handling,’ wrote one reviewer. Another described it as ‘mind-bendingly bad,’ criticizing its focus on ‘insidious ambience and really nice houses’ rather than exploring the emotional depth of its premise.

Despite the backlash, ‘Playing Nice’ has managed to keep some viewers hooked with its dramatic twists and turns. However, its failure to address the ethical complexities of its premise has left many disappointed, cementing its reputation as a divisive and flawed addition to modern television.