ITV viewers infuriated after ‘plot holes’ in finale of gripping drama

ITV drama Playing Nice came to a dramatic conclusion this week, but fans are pointing out some major flaws in the finale.

Playing Nice spoilers ahead.

The four-part drama follows two couples – Pete and Maddie (James Norton and Niamh Algar) and Miles and Lucy (James McArdle and Jessica Brown Findlay) – whose worlds are turned upside down when they discover their toddlers were switched at birth.

After the initial shock, tension begins to brew between the families as they question who should have custody of the children, and begin uncovering the truth behind what really happened in the hospital that fateful day.

However, the show’s ambiguous finale has left some fans unsatisfied.

In the last episode, viewers find out Lucy purposefully swapped the babies at birth to save her son from having to grow up under her husband Miles’ abusive clutches.

She eventually pushes Miles off a Cornish cliff to his death and it ends with a flash forward to three months later with the three parents at the beach with both children – but no firm conclusion on what the actual custody arrangement was.

James Norton’s new drama, Playing Nice, left viewers with lots of questions (Picture: ITV)

The audience discovers Lucy swapped the babies at birth to save her son from her controlling husband Miles (Picture: ITV)

She then flings Miles off a cliff, with the custody question unresolved (Picture: Joss Barratt/REX/Shutterstock)

Despite the powerhouse performances from the cast, the far-fetched plot, skimmed-over death and unanswered custody question have left some viewers unhappy.

‘Frustrating plot holes and infuriating decisions made by some of the characters that made me wanna kick myself in the shin. Some good moments though, the cast were all class,’ @lewismac_ wrote on X.

‘The acting in Playing Nice was absolutely fantastic, but SURELY the police would have still looked into Miles’ death, and phone data would have shown Maddie & Lucy were in fact at the cliff top he went off, not the house like they said,’ @ifeelflames pointed out.

‘Playing Nice is infuriating – there is no way in real life the two sets of parents would be allowed such interactions surely?’ @miss_traceydav complained.

‘I found the episodes very gripping & I thought the acting was pretty good, but many unanswered questions by the end. Who has custody of the boys? Was there an investigation into Miles death? Does Pete know Lucy pushed Miles?’ @@charlotte_k13 questioned.

‘So many plot flaws, farcical at times. But I still loved it. Beautiful scenes and very strong and emotionally raw acting,’ @katielockett shared.

‘So James Norton and co are brilliant actors- also fantastic scenery and camera work. Massive holes in the plot though? Loving it but It’s quite infuriating,’ @frazzelnut said.

James Norton has previously responded to fan complaints of a ‘far-fetched’ plot (Picture: Joss Barratt/Shutterstock)

‘I’m confused as to what the custody agreement was? also surely there will be an investigation into Miles’ death? a few major things that should be clarified better no?’ @peanutlc86 reflected.

‘Whilst I appreciate that there are probably as many plot holes as a big sieve in the believability of Playing Nice it’s proper gripping me,’ @sam_knight18 conceded.

‘Fabulous cast and spectacular Cornwall scenery. I don’t care about plot holes etc. It’s a cracking story!’ @adelegeras echoed.

The Happy Valley star, 39, who is also executive producer on the show, recently addressed criticism of Playing Nice’s ‘unrealistic’ plot.

‘Now that I’m producing, you’re looking for stakes and there are no higher stakes than kids,’ he said on Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans Breakfast Show.

He continued: ‘Family, either your parents or your children, they are the thing which you have that 4am anxiety about.

‘So this… I mean, look, I don’t want to push back [but] the people who are finding it too much, it’s drama.’

And in an interview with Metro, Norton reflected on the nuances of his own character.

‘What interests me about Pete is that he’s a good man who sees the best in people and situations and he thinks that if you are a decent human being and play nice everything will be ok and the world and humanity will sort you ou.

‘But over the course of the story he realises that’s bulls*** and you have to play nasty and step up and be confrontational in the face of these kind of people.’

Playing Nice is available to stream on ITVX.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.