Jones takes on Dr Foster’s “very human issues”

Suranne Jones (Scott & Bailey, The Crimson Field) is to lead the cast of upcoming five-part BBC One drama, Doctor Foster.

Suranne will play the title role of Doctor Gemma Foster with Bertie Carvel (Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Babylon) playing her husband Simon. Robert Pugh, Adam James and Jodie Comer will also star in the drama, written by award-winning writer Mike Bartlett (King Charles III, The Town).

Doctor Foster tells the story of a woman seemingly in control: she is a trusted GP, the heart of her town, a woman people can trust. But Doctor Gemma Foster’s life is about to explode: when she suspects her husband is having an affair she is determined to find out the truth.

She throws herself into an investigation that is going to propel her, her family, and even some of her patients, into chaos. Bit by bit, Doctor Foster uncovers secrets that shock her to the core. Now she has to choose how to react. One thing is certain – she is going to behave in ways she could never have imagined.

Speaking about the role, Suranne Jones says: “I am thrilled to be working with the Drama Republic team as An Honourable Woman was one of my favourite programmes from last year. I loved Mike Bartlett’s work before, King Charles III was really stunning and now I have this wonderful script that deals with very ‘human’ issues from marriage, motherhood, family, loyalty, pride, betrayal, and the very delicate subject of age. I am also so excited to be working with Bertie and for Tom Vaughan to bring it all to life. It’s about looking at one woman’s story and asking, what if that was me? What would I do in that situation? And the age-old question of why. I am very much looking forward to telling Gemma Foster’s story.’’

Bertie Carvel adds: “Mike Bartlett is one of our most exciting and refreshing dramatists so I am extremely excited to be joining the team that will bring his newest story to life.”

Matthew Read, BBC Executive Producer, says: “Mike’s scripts manage to feel incredibly rich and human at the same time as keeping a vice-like grip on the reader. It’s a testament to the strength of his writing that Drama Republic have been able to attract such strong talent both in front and behind the camera.”

Doctor Foster is produced by Drama Republic for BBC One, directed by Tom Vaughan (Starter For Ten) and produced by Grainne Marmion.