Doctor Foster, the psychological drama that had audiences hooked when it first aired between 2015 and 2017, will be back for a third and final season, the BBC has confirmed. The new five-part series will see Suranne Jones reprise her role as Gemma Foster, with Bertie Carvel also returning as Simon, and Tom Taylor as their son Tom.
Once again written by the show’s creator Mike Bartlett, the synopsis for the new season reads: “Ten years ago, on discovering her husband Simon was having an affair, Gemma Foster enacted a masterful revenge. But the fallout was devastating when her 15-year-old son Tom disappeared.
“Now, in series three, Gemma is still a GP, still in the same house, but on the brink of a fresh start: she has met someone new and is getting married. But as the wedding day draws closer, and friends and family gather, shadows from the past begin to re-emerge threatening both her happiness and her reputation.
“As Gemma fights to protect those she loves and expose whoever’s intent on hurting her, will she be able to put the past to bed, dispense justice, and claim the future she deserves, before it is too late?”
Lead star Suranne Jones, who has more recently been seen in Netflix’s Hostage and ITV heist thriller Frauds (alongside Jodie Whittaker), said of the news: “When I got the call to ask if I wanted to return as Gemma Foster, I knew the time was right.”
BBC
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“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,” she continued.
Jones also described how she views this new follow-up story as being “about accountability and questioning”, before adding: “Gemma and Simon have so much to unpick!”
She later added: “It’s been an exciting time working with the brilliant Mike Bartlett again, and the team at Drama Republic, on the scripts and now I can’t wait to start filming.”
Drama Republic’s Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky described Bartlett’s scripts as being “thrilling, gripping” and “audacious”, also adding: “We cannot wait to watch the phenomenal Suranne and Bertie together on screen once again. And to meet the grown-up Tom. It is honestly going to be an amazing ride!”
BBC
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, also said that it’s “a privilege to welcome Doctor Foster back to the BBC after almost a decade away”.
“The extent to which the first two series gripped the nation is a credit to Mike’s writing, the talented team at Drama Republic and our magnificent cast – and now we’re ready do it one more time in this epic final chapter. Bring it on!”
Along with this return announcement, the BBC described Doctor Foster as having been a “UK sensation” when it first aired, noting that nearly 10 million people watched the series two finale.
The drama was also critically-acclaimed, scooping Best New Drama at the National Television Awards in 2016, and with Suranne Jones being awarded Best Actress at both the NTAs and the BAFTAs for her role as Gemma Foster.
Filming for Doctor Foster’s third series is due to start in the spring.
Doctor Foster will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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TV Editor, Digital Spy Laura has been watching television for over 30 years and professionally writing about entertainment for almost 10 of those. Â Previously at LOOK and now heading up the TV desk at the UK’s biggest TV and movies site Digital Spy, Laura has helped steer conversations around some of the most popular shows on the box. Laura has appeared on Channel 5 News and radio to talk viewing habits and TV recommendations. Â As well as putting her nerd-level Buffy knowledge to good use during an IRL meet with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Laura also once had afternoon tea with One Direction, has sat around the fire pit of the Love Island villa, spoken to Sir David Attenborough about the world’s oceans and even interviewed Rylan from inside the Big Brother house (housemate status, forever pending).Â