The gripping ITV and ITVX series ‘Playing Nice’ has been captivating audiences with Niamh Algar delivering a powerful performance as Maddie in the intense baby-swap drama. The youngest of five siblings, Algar hails from Mullingar, Ireland, and is currently in her mid-30s.
Her acting prowess was recognised when she clinched the Best Actress in a Leading Role – TV Drama at the 2020 IFTA Film and Drama Awards for her role in ‘The Virtues’. But before her rise to fame, Algar’s aspirations weren’t always set on the stage; she initially pursued design at the Dublin Institute of Technology before embracing her passion for acting at the Bow Street Academy in Dublin.
Algar has since made a name for herself with standout roles in ‘Raised by Wolves’ and Channel 4’s ‘Pure’, and she’s also known for playing Lucinda Edwards in the series ‘Malpractice’.
Niamh Algar as Maddie in Playing Nice
(Image: ITV)
In an interesting twist, ‘Malpractice’ saw her act alongside her real-life partner, Scottish actor Lorne MacFadyen, who portrayed Tom Edwards. Algar has expressed her admiration for MacFadyen’s “incredible” acting talent.
Discussing their on-screen collaboration during an appearance on ‘This Morning’, Algar shared: “We had always wanted to work together and this opportunity came upon us. His mum is a AandE nurse.”
She reflected on their shared experiences as children of health service workers, understanding the personal sacrifices involved: “We are both kids of mothers who were working within the health service, so we understood the strain that can take on a family, because you are giving so much of yourself all day, and then you go home what else have you got left to give to your kids and partner?”.
The couple aimed to tackle the storyline with sensitivity and authenticity, thanks to their unique understanding.
Lorne MacFadyen and Niamh Algar
(Image: GETTY)
Lorne is renowned for his performances as Phil Wilkinson in Grantchester and his role in the Bobby Moore biopic, Tina and Bobby.
The pair publicly announced their relationship in 2021. Niamh is extremely close to her family, and her mum was ecstatic about her role in Malpractice.
She recollected: “My mum texted me after the first episode aired. She was like ‘I’m crying, I’m so unbelievably proud’. It was amazing to be given the opportunity to play a doctor.”
However, Niamh admitted that it was challenging to separate her Malpractice character from reality while filming scenes with her partner. She jokingly shared: “We started it out like, this is great, everything is going amazing. And then there were scenes where we were fighting and arguing with each other. And we would go home, and it would be hard to be like, OK, that was the characters..”