Underrated British Medical Drama Based On Bestselling Book Is A Masterpiece From Start To Finish

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Many people consider This Is Going to Hurt to be one of the best medical dramas ever, despite it not getting the recognition it deserves. Based on a popular British book, this miniseries is a brilliant and moving story from beginning to end, but it hasn’t gained much attention outside of the UK.

The BBC/AMC+ show is adapted from Adam Kay’s memoir, This Is Going to Hurt. The book, a bestseller, shares Kay’s actual diary entries from his time as a junior doctor between 2004 and 2010. It honestly and often humorously portrays the challenges faced by doctors in the UK’s National Health Service, which was struggling with limited funding.

Despite not getting enough recognition, This Is Going to Hurt is a truly exceptional show, as good as the popular HBO series The Patient. It’s a brilliant British series that deserves far more praise than it currently receives.

This Is Going To Hurt Shows The Challenges Hospital Workers Face

“This Is Going to Hurt” is a tough but vital watch. The British series realistically portrays the demanding lives of healthcare professionals, focusing on the fast-paced world of an obstetrics and gynecology ward in a London hospital.

Instead of simple heroes and villains, the show This Is Going to Hurt features relatable characters who are exhausted and feel undervalued. They’re constantly sleep-deprived and have little time for anything outside of work. Creator Adam Kay honestly portrays himself and his colleagues, even showing their flaws and struggles.

Adam is a difficult person, but his behavior is understandable given the flawed environment he works in. Most of his colleagues are similarly unpleasant and dismissive. Shruti Acharya stands out as an exception – she’s a resident doctor who remains hopeful and positive despite the demanding hours, challenging conditions, and the pressure of studying for her exams.

This Is Going To Hurt’s Dark Comedy Tone Makes The Story Easier To Handle

The story in This Is Going To Hurt is deeply sad and often difficult to watch. Both the UK version and its American adaptation, The Pitt, highlight the frustrating reality that medical professionals – the people we depend on – often lack the resources and support they need. Despite the heavy subject matter, the British series is slightly more approachable than its American counterpart.

“This Is Going to Hurt” uses dark humor to make its difficult subject matter more bearable. The show is full of dry wit, and Ben Whishaw’s performance is particularly strong, delivering clever, self-aware lines with a perfectly straight face. Ambika Mod’s character, Shruti, also provides some genuinely funny moments.

Why This Is Going To Hurt Flew Under The Radar Despite 96% RT Score

Despite receiving very positive reviews and numerous awards – boasting a 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes and 91% on Metacritic – the medical drama This Is Going to Hurt hasn’t gotten the widespread recognition it deserves. While hugely popular and successful in the UK after being produced for the BBC, its release timing and where it was shown limited its reach.

The show only became available in the US in mid-2022, and it was on AMC+, a streaming service that isn’t as widely known or used as the big names like Netflix or Disney+. This meant many people weren’t aware of it or couldn’t easily watch it.

Back in mid-2022, people were still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and a raw, honest depiction of healthcare workers’ struggles like in This Is Going To Hurt was difficult to watch. It didn’t offer the lighthearted distraction many were seeking. Now that we’re further removed from lockdowns, the show’s realistic and often painful message is a bit easier to process.

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2026-01-06 18:19