James Norton, the lead actor in ITV’s upcoming drama Playing Nice, has shared his fondness for Cornwall and its welcoming community, admitting that he “didn’t want to leave” after filming wrapped.
The series, which revolves around two couples discovering their children were swapped at birth due to a hospital mix-up, was inspired by a novel set in London. However, the show’s executive producer, Kitty Kaletsky, believed that Cornwall was the perfect location to bring the story to life.
Playing Nice takes viewers through the emotional and moral complexities of the dramatic premise, with Norton playing Pete, one of the parents at the heart of the story.
Kaletsky emphasized the unique charm of Cornwall, noting that the dramatic landscape and small-town atmosphere mirrored the tension and isolation of the characters.
“These are people who, having discovered this catastrophic thing, are living on the edge – and in Cornwall, you are literally living on a precipice,” Kaletsky explained.
For Norton, playing Pete meant not only portraying an emotionally intense character but also embracing the local culture, including learning a Cornish accent.
The actor, a Yorkshireman by birth, credited the people around Newquay for helping him master the accent, describing it as “gentle” and “light-touch.”
He spent his weekends hiking Cornwall’s cliff paths and surfing with locals to gain a deeper understanding of the Cornish way of life.
“The sense I got was people kind of slip in and out, there’s not one thick Cornish accent, there’s lots of different variations,” Norton reflected. “They were very forgiving and encouraging and helpful in my becoming a token Cornishman,” he joked.
The filming experience became more than just work for Norton and his castmates. The crew bonded with the local community, spending weekends at Watergate Bay and participating in surfing lessons with Pete Abell, head coach of Kingsurf Surf School in Mawgan Porth.
Norton described Abell as a “gateway into the community,” adding that the actor felt deeply welcomed by the people of Cornwall.
A memorable moment came at Halloween when the cast, noticing a resemblance to the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA due to their hair colors, decided to dress as the group for a party.
Norton laughed as he explained how it helped them become “honorary Cornish people” in the eyes of the locals.
Kaletsky explained that Cornwall’s small-town vibe was essential to the series, where characters would find themselves unable to escape each other in a landscape that is simultaneously beautiful and isolating.
The county’s rugged coastline and picturesque villages provided the perfect backdrop, with filming locations including Watergate Bay, Mevagissey, Penzance’s Jubilee Pool, Minions, Newlyn East, and stretches of the north Cornwall coast.
Norton, who found Cornwall to be “the most beautiful part of the whole country,” praised the county for its stunning locations, describing his three months there as an unforgettable experience. “We had an amazing three months, I didn’t want to leave at the end,” he said.
As Playing Nice nears its release, Kaletsky and Norton’s production company, Rabbit Track Pictures, is already planning new projects, with hopes to continue filming in Cornwall. For Norton, the county has left an indelible mark, both personally and professionally.
