Malpractice on ITV: Release date and news for medical thriller
The new medical thriller tells the story of one doctor caught up in a dangerous conspiracy.
Niamh Algar stars as an A&E doctor with the weight of the world on her shoulders in ITV thriller Malpractice.
In the five-part series, her character Lucinda Edwards finds herself at the centre of an investigation when one of her patients dies. But as the inquiry ramps up, it quickly becomes clear that she's hiding a secret that could destroy both her career and her personal relationships.
The show is the latest offering from World Productions, the company behind Jed Mercurio's smash-hit Line of Duty.
While exploring different worlds, there are certainly comparisons to be made between the two titles, but star Helen Behan – who plays Norma Callahan, one of the doctors looking into Lucinda – was keen to highlight that Malpractice stands apart from the BBC crime drama.
"I suppose the danger with World Productions is it being compared to Line of Duty, the Mecca of World Productions productions," she told RadioTimes.com and other press. "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."
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Malpractice was written by Grace Ofori-Attah, who used to be an NHS doctor and was keen to use the series as a vehicle to talk about longstanding issues within the UK's public healthcare system and beyond.
"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," she said. "Not just in medicine but in wider society."
It's directed by Philip Barantini, who was behind the camera on Boiling Point starring Stephen Graham, and also worked on The Responder.
Read on for everything you need to know about ITV's Malpractice.
Malpractice ITV release date: when will it air?
The five-part thriller is airing on Sundays at 9pm on ITV1.
The full series is available to stream now on ITVX.
Who stars in Malpractice on ITV?
The cast of Malpractice is led by Algar, who many will recognise from her leading role in Channel 4's Deceit, The Virtues and Suspect. She stars as Dr Lucinda Edwards, the hardened doctor that is about to embark on the worst shift of her career and the resulting consequences of it.
Starring as her husband Tom is Lorne MacFadyen (Vigil, Pistol), while the doctors leading the inquiry into Edwards's actions are Dr Norma Callahan and Dr George Adjei, played by Helen Behan (Holding, The Virtues) and Jordan Kouamé (Megalomania) respectively.
Joining the cast as opioid overdose victim Edith Owusu's father, Sir Anthony Owusu, is Brian Bovell (Crime, Strike) and Edwards's medical supervisor, Dr Leo Harris, is played by James Purefoy (A Discovery of Witches, Sex Education). The series also stars Hannah Walters (Boiling Point, Time) as Matron Beth Relph, plus more.
The full cast list for Malpractice is as follows:
- Niamh Algar plays Dr Lucinda Edwards
- Lorne MacFadyen plays Tom Edwards
- Brian Bovell plays Sir Anthony Owusu
- James Purefoy plays Dr Leo Harris
- Helen Behan plays Dr Norma Callahan
- Jordan Kouamé plays Dr George Adjei
- Hannah Walters plays Matron Beth Relph
- Priyanka Patel plays Dr Ramya Morgan
- Scott Chambers plays Dr Oscar Beattie
- Tristan Sturrock plays Dr Mike Willett
- Georgina Rich plays Dr Eva Tait
Malpractice ITV plot: what is it about?
The medical drama is set to be the kind of cat and mouse thriller that will keep you suspicious of everyone throughout watching, we're sure, and is the story of a damaged doctor caught up in a larger dangerous conspiracy.
As per the official synopsis for the series: "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 Sir Anthony Owusu, demands an investigation into Lucinda’s actions on the fateful night.
"Leading the inquiry 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 Edith’s death."
It adds: "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?"
Malpractice ITV trailer: can I watch it?
You can watch the trailer for Malpractice, which gives a sense of what to expect from the tense, nerve-racking thriller, right here now.
Malpractice will air on ITV1 at 9pm on Sunday 23rd April, and the full series will then be available to stream on ITVX. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide and Streaming Guide. Visit our Drama hub for all the latest news.
Try Radio Times magazine today and get 12 issues for only £1 with delivery to your home – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Morgan Cormack is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering everything drama-related on TV and streaming. She previously worked at Stylist as an Entertainment Writer. Alongside her past work in content marketing and as a freelancer, she possesses a BA in English Literature.
