James Norton responds to criticism of his new ITV drama Playing Nice

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James Norton has defended criticism of his new ITV drama Playing Nice.

As a gamer, I’m drawn into a heart-pounding journey alongside Niamh Algar, James McArdle, and Jessica Brown Findlay, where the plot unfolds around two sets of parents whose real-life horror story begins when they uncover the shocking truth that their toddlers were accidentally exchanged at birth, turning their peaceful lives into a terrifying roller coaster ride.

Following its broadcast on ITV and ITVX earlier this month, certain viewers have labeled the program as “implausible” and voiced their disapproval of its concept.

In a recent interview on The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with The National Lottery on Virgin Radio UK, lead actor Norton made it clear that the show is a drama and defended against criticism levied by some viewers.

He said to Chris Evans, “Since I’ve started creating, it seems like you’re searching for the ultimate investment, and there’s nothing more significant than children.

Your family, be it your parents or your kids, is what often triggers that 4 a.m. worry.

Here’s another way to put it: “To be clear, I’m not trying to downplay the intensity of this situation for those who find it overwhelming, but it does feel quite theatrical or dramatic.

To those who might find the child-swap storyline implausible, the actor from Happy Valley pointed out: “Such events have occurred frequently enough to serve as general guidelines for when certain actions should be taken at different ages.

“It is recommended to switch back items within 2.5 hours if possible, as the psychological impact will likely be minor. On the other hand, if they have been left undisturbed for over 3 hours, it is loosely suggested that you should let them remain in place since moving them might cause more harm.”

He stated: “We chose between 2.5 and 3 because it was a rather ambiguous situation, where our decisions were uncertain. The existence of unclear instructions suggests that such occurrences have happened frequently in the past.”

During an exclusive chat with Digital Spy, Norton discussed the unique hurdles he encountered while working on the production.

He expressed great enthusiasm towards Pete, as it presented a fresh opportunity, along with the stimulating discussions surrounding him and his unique qualities, such as his masculinity and evasiveness.

He found the role particularly significant, demanding, and thought-provoking. This kind of challenge arises when playing a character who resembles oneself more closely. It pushes you to delve deeper into self-reflection.

You can watch ‘Playing Nice’ at 9pm, both on ITV and ITVX, every Sunday and Monday. The complete series is accessible on ITVX.

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2025-01-09 20:49