Doctor Foster cast reunite for series three script readthrough
10 years on from the last series!
Last updated 16 hours ago
First airing back in 2015, Doctor Foster was a huge success for the BBC, starring the likes of Suranne Jones, Bertie Carvel and Jodie Comer. The drama gained an average of 10 million viewers over the first two series, with a spin-off called Life airing in 2020.
Since the second series concluded in October 2017, fans of the show have been calling out for more, and now, nine years on, we have some good news!
Is Doctor Foster returning?
Yes! After reports in November 2025, the BBC has now officially confirmed Doctor Foster will be returning for a third series.
Confirming the news on 25th February 2026, the BBC revealed the new five-part run will see Suranne Jones reprise her multi-award-winning role as Gemma Foster, opposite Bertie Carvel as Simon and Tom Taylor as Tom.
What will happen?
The BBC say of the plot for series three: '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?'.
Writer, creator and executive producer Mike Bartlett, says: “I always hoped that we’d get to tell the final part of Gemma’s story - which is about a woman seeking justice in an unfair world. That feels as relevant now as when Gemma first found a blonde hair on the scarf. It’s been a joy to team up once again with the hugely talented Drama Republic, the now very grown-up and brilliant Tom Taylor, the inimitable Bertie Carvel and of course, the incomparable Suranne Jones, to tell the final chapter of this story and revisit Parminster - where it turns out there’s still secrets, betrayals, vengeance and perhaps one last dinner party…”
When is it out?
There's no word on when the third series will arrive just yet, but filming will begin in Spring 2026. Filming will take place in and around Hertfordshire.
On Tuesday 31st March, Suranne Jones (Dr Gemma Foster), Bertie Carvel (Simon Foster), and Tom Taylor (Tom Foster) all reunited for a readthrough of the series three script.
Sharing the photo online, BBC iPlayer wrote: 'Ten years on and drama is still following Doctor Foster... 😨
'Suranne Jones, Bertie Carvel and Tom Taylor are back - reunited at a readthrough for #DoctorFoster Series 3, which starts filming this spring.
'Watch Series 1 & 2 on iPlayer now'. (sic)
Sharing a slightly different version of the above image, Suranne wrote on her own Instagram page: 'Just your average family trying to work through some s--t…. Nothing to see here!
'#drfoster #thefosters #10yearson #series3'. (sic)
Who is in the cast?
Suranne Jones will return as lead character Dr Gemma Foster.
On returning to Doctor Foster, Suranne Jones said: “When I got the call to ask if I wanted to return as Gemma Foster, I knew the time was right. 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. For me, this time around it’s about accountability and questioning - ‘can we ever truly sever ties with our past and the damage or traumas that haunt us, so we can fully move forward?’ Gemma and Simon have so much to unpick! 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.”
Bertie Carvel will also return as Simon, and Tom Taylor as their son Tom.
More casting details will be announced in due course.
How can I watch it?
The new series will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
What is Doctor Foster about?
Created and written by Mike Bartlett, the series follows a GP called Gemma Foster who suspects her husband Simon is having an affair.
As she investigates, her life unravels, and she uncovers a web of deceit that includes financial ruin and a secret relationship with their friend's daughter. The drama escalates as Gemma becomes consumed by revenge, leading her to behave erratically and ultimately leading to a violent confrontation.
Series two picks up two years later, when Simon and his new wife Kate return to the town with their child. Gemma and Simon's teenage son Tom becomes the centre of the story, and how his parents' relationship affects him.
Check out the trailer for Doctor Foster series two below:
How can I watch the old series?
Series one and two of Doctor Foster are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.
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