If you're searching for a new British drama to fill the Happy Valley void, Malpractice might just be the ticket.
Produced by the same team as the aforementioned AC-12-focused series, it's easy to make a connection between Line of Duty and Malpractice – and though the premise of the two shows are very different, they possess the same gripping and thought-provoking qualities.
But forget crooked coppers – Malpractice turns its attention to a busy A&E department in West Yorkshire, and the aftermath of one particularly ‘nightmare’ shift for Dr Lucinda Edwards (played by Niamh Algar). Intriguing.
Here's everything you need to know about Malpractice…
What is Malpractice about?
The show delves into the real pressures emergency doctors face within the NHS, and follows one doctor as she faces up to a serious investigation.
Here's the ITV plotline: "Dr Lucinda Edwards is a smart, battle-hardened doctor, but we meet her on a nightmare shift that ends in the death of an opioid overdose victim, Edith Owusu. Despite the support of her medical supervisor, Dr Leo Harris, Edith’s grieving father demands an inquiry into Lucinda’s actions on the fateful night.
Leading the medical investigation are Dr Norma Callahan and Lucinda’s former colleague, Dr George Adjei. While George feels this was an unavoidable tragedy, Norma is suspicious of Lucinda’s behaviour and decisions in the lead up to the patient’s death.
As the pressure of the investigation intensifies, Lucinda’s relationship with husband Tom starts to fracture, and her confident professional exterior begins to crack. Is Lucinda hiding something?"
The show's writer, Grace Ofori-Attah, is a former doctor herself and has spoken of how Malpractice draws on her own experiences – as well as exploring the complex topic of addiction.
She told ITV: "While Malpractice is set in A&E to reflect what was probably the most difficult junior doctor rotation I’ve ever done, the underlying story is really one about psychiatry, mental health, addiction and how that is pervasive. Not just in medicine but in wider society."
Who is in the cast of Malpractice?
Irish actor Niamh Algar plays principal character Dr Lucinda Edwards – who was BAFTA nominated for her role in 2019's Calm With Horses.
Lucinda's husband Tom is played by Vigil and Grantchester star Lorne MacFadyen, who said of his part: "It's very rarely your choice what roles you get offered… but to be in a show which has a similar tension and pulse to Vigil but is completely night and day different, and the part is very different as well, it's just great to be able to play that."
Helen Behan, James Purefoy, Brian Bovell and Jordan Kouamé make up the supporting cast.
Is Malpractice similar to Line Of Duty?
While the two shows have been produced by the same team, Malpractice isn't another Line Of Duty. In fact, its stars are keen to differentiate the two shows.
Helen Behan – who plays Norma Callahan, the doctor who is investigating Dr Edwards – told Radio Times that Malpractice is completely “unique”.
"I suppose the danger with World Productions is it being compared to Line of Duty, the Mecca of World Productions productions," she said in a press conference. "But no, I didn't feel that at all. It felt very, very unique when I read it. I didn't think there was anything else like it. It's absolutely its own thing."
Is there a trailer for Malpractice?
There is! You can watch it below:
When does Malpractice air on ITV?
Malpractice will air every Sunday at 9pm on ITV1, from April 23. There are five episodes, with the final one airing on Sunday May 21.
All episodes are also available to watch now on ITVX.
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