Jane Featherstone’s Sister Pictures is to adapt former junior doctor Adam Kay’s best seller This Is Going to Hurt, his personal account of life on the wards, for a new eight-part comedy-drama for BBC2.
The show was commissioned by Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, and Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two.
The best selling book, This is Going to Hurt, was based on Kay’s diaries during his time on the labour ward as a junior doctor. The 8 x 45’ series is adapted by Kay himself.
Creator and Writer Adam Kay said: “Junior doctors tend to have a rather quiet voice compared to the politicians, which is understandable – you don’t have much spare time if you’re working 100 hour weeks. It’s been a huge privilege to have my diaries reach so many readers and it’s been absolutely humbling to see their reaction. I’m beyond delighted to now be able to share my story with a far wider audience and make the viewers of BBC Two laugh, cry and vomit.”
Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, said: “The anarchic, laugh out loud tone of Adam’s memoir masks a frank, insightful and often visceral portrait of a committed young professional struggling to do the job of his dreams. It is a deeply personal but definitive account of the 21st Century NHS and we are thrilled that Adam and the team at Hootenanny and Sister have chosen BBC Two as the place to bring it to screen.”
Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two, said: “Adam is an extraordinary talent with a unique story to tell. His memoir ‘This is Going to Hurt’ leaps off the page with its candour, coruscating wit, intelligence and timeliness. This new series promises scintillating writing about a subject that is at the centre of national life. I am so delighted Adam and Sister Pictures have brought this to BBC Two.”
Executive Producer Naomi de Pear said: “Hospitals are remarkable places where human beings are seen in all of their glory – where people are their bravest, kindest and sometimes silliest. And the world is envious of our hospitals for a reason, because they represent a system built on the humane belief that people deserve to be treated equally whatever their financial situation, especially in their hour of need. We want this show to be a call to arms.”
This Is Going To Hurt is created, written and Executive Produced by Adam Kay of Terrible Productions, and Executive Produced by Naomi De Pear (Flowers, The Bisexual, River) for Sister Pictures and Mona Qureshi for BBC TWO. Further casting and production details are yet to be announced.
Jon Creamer
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