‘The series seamlessly combines sharp wit, harrowing realism, perfectly formed characters and award-worthy acting’
This adaptation of Adam Kay’s bestselling memoir follows a junior doctor as he struggles to balance his personal life with the pressures of working on an overstretched and underresourced NHS maternity ward.
The BBC/AMC co-pro sets out to reflect the cross-section of society that filters through the doors of a publicly funded hospital while raising the question of who looks after our carers. Kay himself takes on writing duty for the drama and does not flinch from depicting the full, exhausting experience of being a junior doctor on screen.
Played by Ben Whishaw, Dr Adam Kay is an anti-hero who is battling his own ego, as well as the bureaucracy and pressures of NHS life. He is ably supported by a cast that includes newcomer Ambika Mod as Shruti Acharya, a freshfaced, talented junior doctor.
“The series seamlessly combines sharp wit, the harrowing realism of the maternity ward and operating theatre, perfectly formed characters, award-worthy acting and, most importantly, represents the challenges the NHS faces and the human impact that has,” said one judge, while another described it as “devastating, terrifying and hilarious”.
Lauded by the medical community, This Is Going To Hurt sparked a national debate over how we treat our frontline medical workers.
SHORTLISTED
Bad Sisters
Merman & ABC Signature Production for Apple TV+
This English-language adaptation of Belgian revenge fantasy Clan relocates the misadventures of a murderous family of sisters to suburban Dublin.
Brought to life by an engaging cast, the 10-part comedy-drama unravels why each Garvey sister wants to do away with their odious brother-in-law JP, and their multiple attempts to do so.
Landscapers
Sister & South of the River Pictures for Sky Atlantic
The love story of cinephiles and convicted killers Susan and Christopher Edwards is played out through a variety of genres, including Western and stage play, in a unique addition to the true-crime canon.
The Responder
Dancing Ledge Productions for BBC
Written by former police officer Tony Schumacher, The Responder weaves together an internal mental health struggle with the day-to-day demands of frontline policing. Martin Freeman gives a career-defining performance as Chris Carson, a crisis-stricken, morally compromised beat cop.
The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe
Story Films for ITV1
The true story of John Darwin, who faked his own death in a canoeing accident, is told from the perspective of his put-upon wife Anne, who lied to her loved ones and police to help her husband pull off the fraud.
Top Boy
Cowboy Films, Easter Partisan Films, Dream Crew and SpringHill Entertainment for Netflix
Four series in and life is good for gang leader Dushane – his Summerhouse crew is unrivalled and he is making more money than ever. That is until a surprise problem threatens to bring it all crashing down. Top Boy continues to provide raw insight into the UK’s gangland culture.
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