The BBC period drama The Indian Doctor, which ran for three seasons and is based on a true story, is now available to stream on Prime Video. Fans have hailed the series as "a gem" and "spellbinding" in online reviews.
A True Story of Cultural Clash
The comedy-drama follows an Indian doctor who relocates with his wife to the small Welsh mining village of Trefelin. The story was inspired by a genuine cultural clash that unfolded during the 1960s, with Dr Prem Subberwal at its heart.
Sanjeev Bhaskar portrays NHS doctor Prem Sharma, the character modelled on Subberwal, with Ayesha Dharker appearing as his wife, Kamini. The BBC previously reported that the real-life doctor who inspired the series revealed one of his greatest challenges was deciphering the Welsh accent while also making himself understood.
Documentary and Research
When the show originally broadcast on the BBC, it was accompanied by a documentary entitled The Real Indian Doctors, which delved into the experiences of doctors working on the frontline of the Welsh health service during one of the most turbulent chapters in its history.
"These doctors not only changed the face of the NHS but also the culture of the communities they came to serve," the BBC stated. "The programme reveals how these doctors came to Wales and, through their years of service, helped to change attitudes towards racism and immigration across Wales."
The broadcaster outlined how, by the period of the reductions in the 1970s, Asian doctors had become an integral component of the health service, especially in the more disadvantaged regions of the country. However, they were not always welcomed.
Fans' Verdict
Viewers flocked to IMDb reviews to express their opinions on the series, with one praising it "spellbinding", commenting: "What a great show! Spellbinding and time flies. The storylines are wonderful and I cannot say enough about the actors. Thanks for such a wonderful time."
Another remarked: "This is a wonderful, easy-to-watch series. No blood, no gore, just a variety of personalities coming together and making life work. Good to see happy endings. And the doctor is so good!"
Reflecting on the Welsh backdrop, one viewer remarked: "I was pleasantly surprised by the wonderful cast, stunning scenery, accurate and thoughtful storytelling, and gorgeous HD picture quality. The cast were wonderful, very likeable, and the 1963 setting - complete with a musical soundtrack of the day - was pure heaven."
A further admirer declared it "a gem", enthusing: "The Indian Doctor is very entertaining and enjoyable. The acting, the story lines, the scenery, the script - very well done. The characters were entertaining and well played. Bravo! Bring us more of this type of entertainment, please."
In 2010, actor Bhaskar wrote a blog for the BBC, detailing the research he conducted prior to the role, revealing: "I spoke with a retired Indian doctor who arrived in the 1960s and practised in a Welsh village (where he still lives), which was invaluable. The biggest problem, he told me, was understanding the accent (ironically!) and the colloquialisms the locals used."
"Most Indians had learned very traditional English and had only heard the Queen's English at that. Though the story does involve race, I don't think it's about racism. It's more about curiosity and preconceptions. I experienced a degree of racism, particularly when I was at school in west London, but I got it from both sides - the Asians and the white kids. There was a lot of racial tension at the time."
The Indian Doctor is now streaming on Prime Video.
