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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
Daniel Thompson

This is Going to Hurt: Everything you need to know about the BBC's new NHS drama

It has been described as a ‘love letter to the NHS’ - a story of life and death as told by a junior doctor.

This Is Going to Hurt is the new BBC drama starring Ben Whishaw and based on the best-selling, non-fiction memoir of the same name by Adam Kay.

It follows Adam in his chaotic job in obstetrics and gynaecology as he deals with the disorder and fatigue of hospital life - from unexpected births to shock deaths of patients.

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At the same time, Adam has to navigate his personal relationships, including his parents - to whom he has not yet come out.

What channel is This Is Going to Hurt on and how many episodes are there?

The seven-part series starts tonight (Tuesday, February 8) on BBC One at 9pm - with episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

What is it about?

The writer, Adam Kay, described his 2017 memoir as using humour to tell the story of what it is like to be a junior doctor.

The book is mostly composed of diary entries he wrote during his medical training in the NHS. He was encouraged to write the journal as a ‘reflective practice’ in which he could log any interesting clinical experiences he experienced.

The series dramatises the events of the memoir, starting in 2006, when Adam joined a London hospital as acting registrar.

Like the book, it is a candid portrayal of the NHS - showing the effects of funding cuts and staff shortages - while celebrating the dedication of people who work there.

The series shows how the vicious cycle of work affects Adam’s ability to cope - both in and out of work.

Who is in the cast of This is Going to Hurt?

Ben Whishaw stars in the lead role of Adam Mckay. The 41-year-old actor has played Q in three James Bond films as well as voicing Paddington in both movies.

Up-and-coming actress and comedian Ambika Mod plays Shruti, an NHS newcomer with much to learn. Mod is known for her roles in TV series Usher and The B@it.

Michele Austin stars as the ward’s lead nurse Tracy. Austin is best known for her role on ITV's The Bill as PC Yvonne Hemmingway.

Also in the cast are Dame Harriet Walter (Succession), Alex Jennings (The Crown) and Kadiff Kirwan (Fleabag).

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