It’ll hurt: the secret diaries of a young doctor, the dark and funny book by Adam Kay, will air on BBC Two in the UK and AMC in the US. The BBC and AMC medical memoir series rounded off its cast with stars including Harriet walter (Kill Eve) and Alex jennings (The crown), while broadcasters revealed a photo with the first look at Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Ben Whishaw in the lead role.

The seven-part drama, which was first announced by the BBC and Chernobyl Sister producer in July 2018, is based on Adam Kay’s book It’ll hurt: the secret diaries of a young doctor, which began as a series of newspaper columns. It tells the unvarnished story of life in a hospital ward through the eyes of a young doctor, tracing heartbreaking ups and downs. Dark, comedic medical drama is a more common genre on British television than American television. There is a joy in the desire of the British to offer an unfailing look at the meaner side of hospitals, the plight of doctors and the horrors that patients and the public are generally spared. And it’s always the young doctors who catch it in the neck. There is always a new story in this very British genre with each generation, and It will hurt is the last 21^st Iteration of the century. And of course, it will feature Ben Whishaw!

Harriet Walter plays Véronique, Adam Kay’s mother, while Alex Jennings plays a consultant and her bossy boss. Other cast members include Michele Austin (Meet the Richardsons) as a quick-witted midwife; Kadiff Kirwan (Chewing gum) as Adam’s professional rival, Ashley McGuire (This country) as a consultant, Rory Fleck Byrne (Prostitutes) as Adam’s boyfriend; and om Tom Durant Pritchard (Feel good) as Adam’s best friend.

The show is created and written by Kay, who also produces with Pear Naomi, Jane plume for sister; James Farrell for Terribles Productions, Mona Qureshi for the BBC; and Kristin jones and Dan McDermott for AMC. Holly Pullinger is the producer, and Lucy Forbes and Tom Kingsley will direct. bbc drama controller Wenger Pier ordered the series.

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