AMC+ today released first-look photos of its upcoming limited series This Is Going to Hurt, a comedy-drama starring Ben Whishaw (A Very English Scandal, No Time to Die, London Spy) and based on Adam Kay’s award-winning international memoir of the same name (See on Amazon).
This Is Going to Hurt will debut Thursday, June 2, on AMC+ and Sundance Now, with new episodes airing weekly. The show is created, written, and executive-produced by Kay.
This Is Going to Hurt rejoices in the laugh-out-loud highs while pulling no punches in its depiction of the gut-wrenching lows of life on a gynecology and obstetrics ward. The series follows Adam (Whishaw), a doctor who is finding his way through the ranks of hospital hierarchy; junior enough to suffer the crippling hours but senior enough to face a constant barrage of terrifying responsibilities.
Adam is clinging to his personal life as he is increasingly overwhelmed by stresses at work: the 97-hour weeks, the life-and-death decisions, and all the while knowing the hospital parking meter is earning more than him.
The series also stars newcomer Ambika Mod, Michele Austin (Meet the Richardsons, The Casual Vacancy), BAFTA-nominated Alex Jennings (The Crown, A Very English Scandal, Unforgotten, The Lady In the Van), Kadiff Kirwan (Chewing Gum, This Way Up, The Stranger), and Ashley McGuire (This Country, Malory Towers, It’s A Sin).
The cast is rounded out by Emmy-nominated Dame Harriet Walter (Killing Eve, The Crown, Succession), Rory Fleck Byrne (Harlots, Vita and Virginia, Ghosts), and Tom Durant-Pritchard (Feel Good, The Windsors, Judy, The Crown).
This Is Going to Hurt is commissioned by Piers Wenger, Director of BBC Drama, is executive produced by Naomi de Pear (Don’t Forget the Driver, Flowers, The Bisexual, The Power) and Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri/Haji, The Split, The Power) for Sister, James Farrell for Terrible Productions, Mona Qureshi for BBC One, as well as Dan McDermott for AMC.
Ben Whishaw also serves as executive producer. BBC Studios is handling global distribution. The series is produced by Holly Pullinger (Don’t Forget the Driver), with Lucy Forbes (In My Skin, The End of the F***ing World) directing the first four episodes and Tom Kingsley (Ghosts, Stath Lets Flats, Pls Like) directing the final three episodes.
THIS IS GOING TO HURT EPISODES
Episode 1 – Premieres Thursday, June 2
Adam juggles his personal life with his hectic job in the labor ward. In the chaos of the day, he makes a mistake.
Episode 2 – Premieres Thursday, June 9
Still reeling from an incident in the labor ward, Adam becomes increasingly difficult to be around. While he clashes with a colleague at work, his home life also starts to suffer.
Episode 3 – Premieres Thursday, June 16
With a politician’s visit making the labor ward more chaotic than usual, Adam and Shruti’s best doesn’t feel enough. Adam tries to fix his personal life once and for all.
Episode 4 – Premieres Thursday, June 23
Adam’s mistake comes back to haunt him, and he tries desperately to dig himself out of trouble. Shruti is excited to meet a promising new mentor.
Episode 5 – Premieres Thursday, June 30
It’s the day of Adam’s engagement party, but the situation at work is becoming increasingly overwhelming. Shruti tries a new tack but doesn’t get the outcome she hoped for.
Episode 6 – Premieres Thursday, July 7
Adam does his first shift at a private hospital and finds that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. Shruti has a challenging night shift in the NHS.
Episode 7 – Premieres Thursday, July 14
Adam faces a tribunal over alleged malpractice and is no longer sure that he can go on in medicine. He tries to decide where his future lies.
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills to cover the latest streaming, movie, TV, and game news.