Playing Nice filming locations in Cornwall including Mevagissey and Mawgan Porth

James Norton in new ITV drama Playing Nice, which was filmed in and is set in Cornwall
-Credit:ITV/Studio Canal


Since ITV's new psychological thriller Playing Nice came out this month, everyone has been talking about it. Filmed and set in Cornwall, the series sees two couples discover their three-year-old sons, Theo and David, were switched at birth in a mix-up.

Happy Valley star James Norton and The Virtues actress Niamh Algar are among the famous faces of the four-part series based on the best-selling novel by JP Delaney. The show, which is available on ITVX, explores parenthood, class, masculinity, and nature vs. nurture.

Playing Nice was primarily filmed in Cornwall, despite the book being set in London, because the production crew said they wanted a unique location as the setting. The production also seems to have done its bit to support Cornish businesses in a nod to the place where scenes were filmed.

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We've taken a look at some of the filming locations of the tense new series and listed them below. Let us know if you recognised any of them in the comments section below.

Mevagissey

Reflections in Mevagissey Harbour
Reflections in Mevagissey Harbour -Credit:Western Morning News

Mevagissey features throughout the series with sweeping shots of the picturesque fishing village. For anyone looking to visit, you can expect to see pubs, cafes, galleries and shops clustered around the harbour walls and lining the streets of Mevagissey. There are also plenty of seafood restaurants to enjoy locally caught fish.

Jubilee Pool, Penzance

Jubilee Pool in Penzance
Jubilee Pool in Penzance -Credit:Greg Martin / Cornwall Live

In episode two, Maddie Wilson and Lucy Lambert visit Jubilee Pool with their boys. Known for being the UK’s largest seawater pool, it is the ideal place to enjoy a cold water swim in a sheltered, lifeguarded pool. You can also sip on a coffee at Jubilee Pool café after your dip and take in the panoramic views of the iconic art deco lido and Mounts Bay.

Watergate Bay, Newquay

Blue skies over Watergate Bay, in Newquay
Blue skies over Watergate Bay, in Newquay -Credit:Julie Taylor/Western Morning News

The scenes at Maddie’s restaurant were shot at the real Zacry’s Restaurant at the Watergate Bay Hotel. Perched on the sea wall, the relaxed fine dining restaurant boasts some of the most glorious sea views in Cornwall which you enjoy whilst eating their delicious food. You can read our review of it here.

Mawgan Porth

The beach at Mawgan Porth
The beach at Mawgan Porth -Credit:Moment RF/Getty Images

Mawgan Porth plays a key role in the series as it is the location of Miles and Lucy's stunning coastal home with uninterrupted sea views. The show's surfing scenes were also filmed there, and the cast was taught how to surf by local instructor Peter Abell at Kingsurf. The Sunday Times award-winning beach has acres of golden sand, perfect for relaxing, playing games with the family, or making sand castles.

Minions, Bodmin Moor

The moors at Minions
The moors at Minions -Credit:Maxine Denton/Cornwall Live

Minions features as Scotland in the series, when Pete makes the journey to investigate Miles’ background. It is the highest village in Cornwall, situated on the south east side of Bodmin Moor and is perhaps most well-known for its ancient sites - The Hurlers stone circle and The Cheesewring. Anyone looking to visit the village can stop off at Minions Shop & Tearoom or Hurlers Halt for a hot drink and a slice of cake.

Tate St Ives

Exterior view of The Tate Gallery St Ives
Exterior view of The Tate Gallery St Ives -Credit:Hugh R Hastings/Getty Images

Viewers may recognise the backdrop of the charity gala attended by the two couples in the show. It is none other than the modern art gallery, Tate St Ives, which overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and showcases work by artists including Barbara Hepworth, Marlow Moss, Naum Gabo and Patrick Heron, whose works have brought international attention to St Ives and West Cornwall.

Park Head, Bedruthan, near Newquay

Bedruthan Steps, between Padstow and Newquay on the north Cornish coast
Bedruthan Steps, between Padstow and Newquay on the north Cornish coast -Credit:Pauline Kent/Western Morning News

Park Head, above Bedruthan Steps beach, was the location for a crucial scene in the final episode of Playing Nice. While Bedruthan Steps has not been safely accessible since January 2019, when a significant rockfall led to the emergency closure of its step access, you can still walk along the coastal path while enjoying the scenery.

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