Hit BBC drama Doctor Foster is officially set to make a dramatic return to television screens after an eight-year absence, with Suranne Jones reprising her award-winning role as the vengeful GP Gemma Foster.
The Long-Awaited Comeback
According to television insiders speaking to The Sun, production for the third series of the critically acclaimed show is scheduled to begin filming next year. The new episodes are expected to air on BBC One either in late 2026 or early 2027, marking nearly a decade since viewers last saw the intense drama unfold.
The decision to bring back the series comes from a shared belief among Jones and the production team that there remains "unfinished business" for the character of Gemma Foster, whose explosive story captivated millions during the first two series.
A Television Phenomenon
Doctor Foster became an instant sensation when it first aired in 2015, with the series finale attracting an incredible 10 million viewers. The show's second series maintained this impressive momentum, with its finale drawing an average of 7.2 million viewers according to overnight figures.
The drama, which features Bertie Carvel as Simon, Gemma's cheating husband, earned numerous accolades including a BAFTA for Best Actress for Suranne Jones. At its peak, approximately eight million viewers tuned in weekly to follow the intense psychological battle between the three lead characters.
Complex Characters and Viewer Reaction
The series conclusion in 2017 proved divisive among audiences, as Gemma Foster and her ex-husband engaged in a bitter custody battle over their son Tom. Jones herself acknowledged the challenging nature of the material, describing the viewing experience as sometimes "uncomfortable" while noting the show's "weird, sexy edge."
In a 2017 interview, the former Coronation Street star elaborated on the show's appeal, stating: "We all know what it feels like to be in a room with an ex-partner. Everybody has had a relationship, everyone has had exes, everybody has been in difficult circumstances."
She credited the writing style for allowing the drama to explore extreme emotional territory while maintaining roots in recognizable human experience, creating what she described as "an exaggerated way of showing how far you could go if you really wanted to."
While the BBC has declined to provide immediate comment on the reports when approached by The Mirror, television industry sources confirm that development is underway for what promises to be one of the most anticipated television returns of 2026.
