- ITV’s medical drama Malpractice won’t return after two well-received series.
- The show explored the high-pressure lives of NHS doctors, tackling corruption and ethical dilemmas.
- Despite strong viewer numbers, ITV decided not to renew the series for a third season.
A gritty medical drama that drew in millions of viewers has been unexpectedly cancelled by ITV.
Malpractice was created by former NHS doctor Grace Ofori-Attah, who took inspiration from her own career. It first aired in April 2023 and came back earlier this year for a second instalment.
Season 1 follows the story of Dr Lucinda Edwards (Niamh Algar), who ends up being investigated by the Medical Investigation Unit after an overdose victim tragically dies under her care.
It raises questions around corruption and drug trafficking within the hospital system, while exposing the pressure and strain these doctors are under.
The second season focuses on a different area of medicine, but follows a similar storyline. After a terrible incident involving a postnatal mother, Psychiatric registrar Dr James Ford (Tom Hughes) becomes the focus of a medical investigation.
Despite the launch episode of the first series being watched by 6.7million viewers over 28 days and the second series attracting around three million, it hasn’t been renewed.
![WORLD PRODUCTIONS FOR ITV1 AND ITVX MALPRACTICE SERIES 2 EPISODE 1 Pictured: TOM HUGHES as DR James Ford This photograph is (C) WORLD PRODUCTIONS and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: patrick.smith@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SEI_274043102-e594.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
A spokesperson for ITV told Metro: ‘We’re very proud of the two series of Malpractice, and grateful to everyone who supported the show.
‘Commissioning decisions involve many factors, and while there are no plans for a third series, we’d like to extend our thanks to Grace Ofori-Attah and the team at World Productions for producing two brilliant series.’
![WORLD PRODUCTIONS FOR ITV1 AND ITVX MALPRACTICE SERIES 2 EPISODE 1 Pictured: STEPHEN THOMPSON as Charlie and AMY M ARSTON as Aileen. This photograph is (C) WORLD PRODUCTIONS and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: patrick.smith@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SEI_274043148-6e91.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Ofori-Attan told Bafta she wanted to ‘show the other side of medicine’ as opposed to shows that feature doctors as ‘quite glamorous heroes dashing around, saving all these lives’.
Viewers online agreed it was an accurate portrayal – Linda Weaver on Google Reviews promised: ‘I trained as a nurse and what you see of the hectic life in an accident and emergency department and the pressure the doctors are under is very much true to real life.’
Even those without these insights enjoyed it. Lynne Dean wrote: ‘I have no connection with anything medical apart from rare visits to my doctor.
![WORLD PRODUCTIONS FOR ITV1 AND ITVX MALPRACTICE SERIES 2 EPISODE 1 Pictured: JESSICA LAYDE as Bernadette. This photograph is (C) WORLD PRODUCTIONS and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: patrick.smith@itv.com](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SEI_274043223-bc53.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘I found this a thrilling story, the pace never stopped, it did not seem unreal even though the events happening to Lucinda just multiplied.’
And Ruth Gendi commented: ‘Great thrillers, kept you guessing and wanting justice to be served.
Best medical dramas available to stream in the UK
Here are some of the best medical dramas that you can watch now…
- Breathtaking – ITVX
- This Is Going To Hurt – BBC iPlayer
- Breathless – Netflix
- The Good Doctor – Channel 4
- Temple – Netflix
- Critical – Apple TV
‘If either of these is based on any level of truth, then quite frankly, they could also be deemed horror genre, because the story lines are pretty horrific.’
Both series of Malpractice are available to stream on ITVX.
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