The BBC has confirmed that psychological drama Doctor Foster will return for a third and final series, nearly a decade after the second season aired. Suranne Jones, Bertie Carvel and Tom Taylor will reprise their roles as Gemma Foster, Simon and Tom in the new instalment, written by series creator Mike Bartlett.
Produced by Drama Republic for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, filming is scheduled to begin this spring in the UK. The synopsis reveals that Gemma, still a GP and living in the same house, is on the brink of remarrying when shadows from the past re-emerge, threatening her happiness and reputation. As she fights to protect those she loves, she must decide whether she can finally put the past to rest.
Jones, who won a BAFTA for her portrayal, said: “When I got the call to ask if I wanted to return as Gemma Foster, I knew the time was right. We needed space from the first two series, and we needed Tom – Gemma and Simon’s runaway son – to return as an adult with questions. For me, this time around it’s about accountability and questioning, ‘Can we ever truly sever ties with our past and the damage or traumas that haunt us, so we can fully move forward?'”
Bartlett added: “I always hoped that we’d get to tell the final part of Gemma’s story, which is about a woman seeking justice in an unfair world. That feels as relevant now as when Gemma first found a blonde hair on the scarf.” BBC Director of Drama Lindsay Salt described the show as a “privilege” to welcome back, praising the writing, the team at Drama Republic and the cast.
Doctor Foster was a major hit for the BBC, with the second series finale attracting nearly 10 million viewers. It has been adapted 15 times internationally. The final series is exec produced by Bartlett, Jones, Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky, with John Hardwick directing and Nige Watson producing. BBC Studios will handle international distribution.
