For viewers intrigued by the haunting tone, sweeping landscapes, and intimate domestic drama of Playing Nice, one question arises quickly: where was this gripping adaptation filmed? The answer carries more weight than just geographical trivia. The filming locations are instrumental to the mood, structure, and psychological pressure of the narrative.
In this comprehensive feature, we explore the full backdrop of Playing Nice—both literal and thematic. We analyze the rural and coastal settings, the motivations behind choosing particular landscapes, how they mirror the story’s emotional intensity, and what those choices reveal about the production’s goals.
This article is not just for cinephiles or fans of the novel adaptation—it’s for anyone who understands that where a story is told is part of how it’s told.
Introduction to Playing Nice: Plot Meets Place
Before we dissect where it was filmed, let’s revisit the story.
Playing Nice is a psychological thriller adapted from JP Delaney’s novel of the same name. The plot centers on two families who discover—two years after birth—that their sons were switched in the hospital. What begins as a civil, legal dilemma quickly evolves into suspicion, obsession, and moral breakdown.
This kind of intimate but high-stakes drama demands more than a basic suburban setting. The show’s creators needed space to convey:
- Emotional isolation
- The illusion of domestic tranquility
- Juxtaposition between legal logic and personal chaos
That’s where the choice of filming location becomes pivotal.
Principal Filming Locations: Devon, Cornwall, and the Edges of the British Coast
1. South Devon Coastline – The Emotional Frontier
A large portion of Playing Nice was filmed in South Devon, particularly along the dramatic cliffs between Salcombe and Hope Cove. The coastline is marked by sharp inclines, remote beaches, and narrow cliffside roads.
Why South Devon?
The coastal topography provides a metaphorical and literal edge. Many scenes—especially those involving moments of confrontation or reflection—are staged with crashing waves and craggy rock in the background. It mirrors the emotional turbulence experienced by the characters.
Notable spots:
- Bolberry Down – Used for early morning walking scenes, symbolizing momentary calm.
- Thurlestone Sands – A pivotal confrontation scene between the fathers was filmed here.
2. Dartmoor National Park – Wildness and Isolation
Some of the more psychologically intense moments—particularly those suggesting paranoia or surveillance—were filmed in Dartmoor, about 40 minutes inland from the South Devon coast.
How Dartmoor was used:
- Represented “in-between” psychological states: decisions yet to be made, emotions unsettled.
- The open moors were used to stage scenes involving character separation and isolation.
Locations within Dartmoor:
- Haytor Vale
- Widecombe-in-the-Moor
These locations also offered relative seclusion during production, allowing for complex camera setups without urban interference.
Domestic Interiors: Real Homes, Not Sets
Realistic Architecture Over Studio Perfection
Rather than constructing sets, Playing Nice opted to use existing family homes in the outskirts of Exeter. One central house—the shared home of one of the families—is a 1970s-style modernist bungalow with floor-to-ceiling windows and a visible garden space.
Why real homes?
- It grounds the domestic scenes in authenticity.
- The architectural choices echo characters’ personalities—structured but emotionally vulnerable.
Filming Challenges in Real Homes
- Limited space required creative lighting setups.
- Sound had to be controlled extensively—many homes were retrofitted with soundproof panels for internal shots.
Hospital and Courtroom Scenes: Shot in Bristol
While most exterior and domestic scenes were filmed in Devon, key scenes involving hospitals, courtrooms, and custody hearings were filmed in Bristol, a hub for many UK-based television productions.
Why Bristol?
- Bristol has functional, adaptable court sets often used in dramas like Broadchurch and Doctor Foster.
- Production needed facilities with built-in infrastructure for filming complex dialogue scenes, legal debates, and institutional interactions.
Filming Sites in Bristol:
- The Bottle Yard Studios – Used for legal interiors
- Southmead Hospital (exteriors) – Stood in as the maternity ward where the babies were switched
The Role of Weather and Light in Location Choice
Producers reportedly waited weeks for the right cloud patterns to mirror the novel’s emotional climate. The filming took place largely between March and May, a window chosen for:
- Variable weather – to reflect emotional volatility
- Low-angle sunlight – for dramatic golden hour shots
Natural light was integral to the cinematography, lending the film a realistic, documentary-like texture, especially during outdoor scenes.
Sound Design: Using Location Audio for Psychological Texture
In many thrillers, sound is engineered post-production in a controlled studio. But for Playing Nice, location sound was recorded and manipulated to highlight internal psychological tension.
For instance:
- Wind off the cliffs was left in to intensify outdoor arguments.
- Birdsong was amplified in moments of calm to contrast with rising tension.
- Distant waves or vehicles were used symbolically—implying unseen threats.
Budget and Logistics of Remote Shooting
Filming on cliffs, in moors, and in private residences is no small feat.
Budget Considerations:
- Filming in Devon is more cost-effective than London.
- Real homes eliminate set construction but increase lighting/sound control costs.
Logistics:
- Helicopter drones used for overhead coastal shots.
- Cast accommodations arranged near Totnes and Kingsbridge to keep commute minimal.
- Filming permits managed in cooperation with South Hams District Council and Dartmoor National Park Authority.
How Location Informs Character
The isolation of the homes, the proximity to the ocean, and the looming, grey weather were not just atmospheric—they were narrative.
The location choices suggest:
- Each family is “on an island,” physically and emotionally.
- Nature is indifferent to human suffering—mirrored by the indifferent legal system.
- Cliffs and borders symbolize thresholds—choices that can’t be undone.
This thematic cohesion between geography and plot makes Playing Nice feel grounded and unsettling all at once.
Community Reactions to the Filming
Local residents in Devon welcomed the production, though some expressed concern over:
- Disruption of traffic along coastal lanes
- Increased visitor footfall to scenic but fragile areas
However, the show’s producers implemented strict location protocols:
- “Leave no trace” policies in natural areas
- Filming limited to daytime hours
- Local crew hires to boost the regional economy
Visual Identity: Naturalism Over Gloss
Unlike high-sheen thrillers that use stylized lighting and high-contrast palettes, Playing Nice embraced naturalism. This was crucial in reflecting the characters’ emotional unraveling.
- Neutral interiors emphasized routine domesticity.
- Greens and greys of Devon visually foreshadowed the emotional ambiguity of the central question: What does being a “good parent” really mean?
Global Appeal: Why These Locations Matter Internationally
Though rooted in the UK, Playing Nice resonates with international audiences. Part of its appeal comes from its distinctly British landscapes that are underrepresented on screen.
Unlike London-centric dramas, it presents a version of the UK that is more remote, real, and emotionally exposed.
Conclusion
So, where was Playing Nice filmed? Across Devon’s rugged coastlines, Dartmoor’s haunting moors, and the urban interiors of Bristol. But more than that, it was filmed in spaces that elevated its story—natural landscapes and intimate dwellings that mirrored the emotional terrain of its characters.
These locations weren’t just backdrops—they were characters. They bore witness to choices, secrets, breakdowns, and uneasy reconciliations. In Playing Nice, where something happens is never incidental. It’s a central part of what’s happening.
FAQs
1. Where exactly was the main house in Playing Nice filmed?
The primary home was a real property located near Kingsbridge, South Devon—chosen for its architectural openness and emotional isolation.
2. Were any scenes filmed on a set or soundstage?
Yes. Legal and hospital scenes were filmed at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol to maintain acoustic and visual control.
3. Why was Devon chosen over London or other urban settings?
The story’s emotional landscape demanded physical isolation, natural boundaries, and a non-urban environment to mirror the characters’ psychological tension.
4. Is the filming location open to the public?
Many of the outdoor locations—like Bolberry Down and Dartmoor paths—are public lands. However, private residences used for interiors are not accessible.
5. How long did the filming of Playing Nice take?
Principal photography lasted approximately 9 weeks, from March to May, accounting for weather-based rescheduling and daylight needs.
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