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James Norton has revealed his 'brave decision' to turn down a certain role because he didn't want to be typecast.
The actor, 39, - who is rumoured to be being considered for the James Bond role - has told how he decided not to take on the villain role in his new ITV thriller Playing Nice.
James plays the role of father Pete in the new show which comes out in January and follows the story of two families whose babies are switched at birth.
At the start of the project he was taking on the role of villain Miles in the show but as things progressed he realised he wanted to play the nice guy.
He has taken on a series of villain roles over the years most notably killer and psychopath Tommy Lee Royce in BBC series Happy Valley.
He told The Mirror of being typecast: 'You do a Second World War drama, and you get to go and be a historian in the British Library for however long and have an emotional connection with that particular piece of history.
James Norton has revealed his 'brave decision' to turn down a certain role because he didn't want to be typecast
The actor, 39, - who is rumoured to be being considered for the James Bond role - has told how he decided not to take on the villain role in his new ITV thriller Playing Nice
'If you do it really well, then you're going to get a few more offers for Second World War dramas coming your way.
'And the brave thing is to say no to those and think, 'Okay, right, we're going to go a different route and try and keep learning, keep expanding'.'
Adding of his role as the nice guy in Playing Nice and teasing further projects, he said: 'Well, now I've done the nice guy, maybe I'll go back. I don't know, we'll see. The next thing is always a surprise.'
James is set to make a thrilling comeback to screens as he heads up ITV's new psychological thriller Playing Nice - and fans have been given a sneak peek this week.
He will be joined by a stellar cast including Niamh Algar from Channel 4's The Virtues Fame, James McArdle from HBO's Mare Of Easttown, and Jessica Brown Findlay, from Downton Abbey.
Previous images of James and Niamh's characters sparked an interest among fans. However, a new batch of snapshots and the show's first trailer showcase the actors embodying their roles.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Cornwall's dramatic coastline, where filming took place earlier this year, Playing Nice promises to be visually appealing to viewers.
The trailer, which was released this week, starts with a clip of James and Niamh dipping their feet in the sea as they spend some quality time with their son at the beach.
At the start of the project he was taking on the role of villain Miles in the show but as things progressed he realised he wanted to play the nice guy
James plays the role of father Pete in the new show which comes out in January and follows the story of two families whose babies are switched at birth
Then things take a gloomy turn as a Doctor can be heard saying in a voiceover: 'There's no easy way to say this, but we have reason to believe Theo is not your biological son.'
James looks perplexed as he says: 'What are you talking about?' before the Doctor shockingly reveals 'We think you left the hospital with another couple's son and they left with your son.'
James then meets his biological son's father and mother and says to them that they wish to keep their son Theo, with the couple agreeing that they all want the same thing. However, things soon take a dramatic turn.
The screenplay is written by Grace Ofori-Attah, known for ITV's Malpractice, and adapts JP Delaney's acclaimed novel for the small screen.
Playing Nice follows a harrowing tale of two families entangled in a nightmarish scenario when they learn that their young sons were mistakenly swapped at birth due to a hospital blunder.
Faced with an agonising decision, they must choose between the children they've nurtured and their biological offspring.
As the plot thickens, 'hidden motives' emerge, casting doubt on the trust between the couples and driving Pete (played by James) and Maddie (portrayed by Niamh) to the brink.
During the series, it initially appears that all four parties have found a common ground for a solution, only to uncover motives shrouded in secrecy.
As suspicions rise, questions emerge about the trustworthiness of the child's 'true' parents and even among each other.
Pete and Maddie find themselves at breaking point as they prepare to go to any length to ensure their family remains intact.
ITV Drama Commissioner Helen Perry has lauded Playing Nice as an utterly captivating thriller.
Helen remarked: 'Playing Nice is an enthralling thriller with a knotty moral dilemma at its heart.'
He has taken on a series of villain roles over the years most notably killer and psychopath Tommy Lee Royce in BBC series Happy Valley
'The narrative will not only engage audiences but also provoke introspection, prompting them to consider their own reactions to such a predicament.'
She added: 'Not only will viewers be hooked, they'll be left questioning "What would I do...?" As Grace Ofori-Attah's superb script raises questions about the nature of parenting and how far we'll go for those we love.'
Helen went on to share her enthusiasm about the calibre of talent involved in the production, gushing: 'We're thrilled to have on board such a stellar cast and crew, and we're delighted to be working with the team at STUDIOCANAL and Rabbit Track Pictures to bring this fantastic adaption to ITV1 and ITVX.'
Playing Nice airs on ITV1 and ITVX from January 5.
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