Fans of the best-selling novel This Is Going To Hurt don’t have long to wait to see how the BBC medical drama will unfold, as the TV series based on Adam Kay’s memoir launches.
The brand-new seven-parter medical drama – which will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer – goes behind-the-scenes of a fictional gynaecology and obstetrics NHS ward with a junior doctor, played by Ben Whishaw.
The show is based on the diary entries of the real-life former doctor Adam, detailing the high-intensity environment that comes with working on the NHS frontline.
This Is Going To Hurt combines humour with serious, heartbreaking themes, as the main character opens up about how he struggles to balance the pressures of his job with his personal life.
From falling asleep in his car in the hospital car park to having to make potential life or death decisions on a daily basis, the show reveals Adam’s experiences in brutal and often shocking detail.
Who is in the cast of This Is Going To Hurt?
This Is Going To Hurt stars Ben as Adam, with the author admitting that he had the actor in mind for the role when they embarked on creating the series.
Viewers are used to seeing the star on the big screen following his starring role as Q in the last three James Bond films.
He also featured in Eddie Redmayne’s The Danish Girl and voiced Paddington Bear in the live-action movie.
Ben is also no stranger to BBC dramas, with some of his previous work include A Very English Scandal, Criminal Justice and The Hours.
Newcomer Ambika Mod plays Shruti, a young junior doctor who has just started working in obstetrics and gynaecology and is diligent with her job, but has to deal with Adam’s continuous savage wisecracks.
The Crown and Killing Eve star Dame Harriet Walter plays Veronique, Adam’s mother, while Alex Jennings, who previously starred in A Very English Scandal and Unforgotten, portrays Mr Lockhart, a consultant and Adam’s boss.
Tracy, a quick-witted, senior midwife, is played by Michelle Austin, with Julian – a rival of Adam’s at work – depicted by Kadiff Kirwan and midwife Liam Henry played by Dywayne Thomas.
Ashley McGuire plays consultant Miss Houghton, with Rory Fleck Byrne starring as Adam’s boyfriend Harry and Tom Durant-Pritchard playing the main character’s best friend Greg.
What time does This Is Going To Hurt start?
This Is Going To Hurt begins on Tuesday February 8 at 9pm on BBC One.
Episodes will air on a weekly basis each Tuesday, with seven episodes being released in the series in total.
Viewers will also be able to watch all seven episodes on BBC iPlayer should they wish after the premiere.