Broadcaster picks up eight-part series

BBC Two has picked up the TV adaptation of comedian Adam Kay’s bestselling medical memoirs, This Is Going To Hurt.

His darkly comic diaries, scribbled in secret after endless days, sleepless nights and missed weekendswhile a junior doctor in obstetrics, are to be turned into an eight-part comedy drama.

The news comes on the day after the NHS celebrated its 70th anniversary, comes ten months after production house Sister Pictures won the TV rights in a 12-way bidding war.

Kay, who is writing the 45-minute episodes himself, said he hoped the series would show the reality of life on the wards in the context of clashes between junior doctors and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt.

He said: ‘Junior doctors tend to have a rather quiet voice compared to the politicians, which is understandable – you don’t have much spare time if you’re working 100 hour weeks. 

‘It’s been a huge privilege to have my diaries reach so many readers and it’s been absolutely humbling to see their reaction.  I’m beyond delighted to now be able to share my story with a far wider audience and make the viewers of BBC Two laugh, cry and vomit.'

Executive producer Naomi de Pear, said: 'Hospitals are remarkable places where human beings are seen in all of their glory - where people are their bravest, kindest and sometimes silliest.

'And the world is envious of our hospitals for a reason, because they represent a system built on the humane belief that people deserve to be treated equally whatever their financial situation, especially in their hour of need. We want this show to be a call to arms."

BBC Two controller Patrick Holland added: ‘Adam is an extraordinary talent with a unique story to tell. His memoir This is Going to Hurt leaps off the page with its candour, coruscating wit, intelligence and timeliness. 

‘This new series promises scintillating writing about a subject that is at the centre of national life. I am so delighted Adam and Sister Pictures have brought this to BBC Two.’

The paperback version of the book is currently top of the Sunday Times bestseller list, where it has been for the past ten weeks, selling more than 138,000 copies. It has also been translated into 20 languages. Read our review here.

Kay has just become the first person to sell out a show in the biggest room at this year’s Fringe, so has added a second date at the 1,200-capacity  EICC on August 17.

His previous TV writing credits include the Elis James and Kadiff Kirwan sitcom Crims, additional material on Jack Whitehall's Bounty Hunters – and Len Goodman's Partners in Rhyme 

Published: 6 Jul 2018