ITV recommissions medical thriller, Malpractice

ITV recommissions medical thriller, Malpractice, from World Productions

ITV commissions second series of hit drama, produced by World Productions and written by former NHS doctor Grace Ofori-Attah

Critically acclaimed thriller, Malpractice has been recommissioned for a second series by ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill.

Produced by award-winning production company World Productions (an ITV Studios company), Malpractice is the most watched new drama of 2023 on ITV1 for a launch episode with 6.7m viewers based on 28 day viewing.

The five-part series will be executive produced by Simon Heath, CEO of World Productions (Line of Duty, Vigil, Save Me, The Pembrokeshire Murders, Anne) and former NHS doctor, Grace Ofori-Attah, who will executive produce and return to write.  

The new series will premiere on ITV1 and be available for streaming on ITVX.

The compelling first series of the cat and mouse thriller, which starred Niamh Algar, Helen Behan, Jordan Kouamé and James Purefoy, debuted on ITV1 and ITVX in April with critics praising the series for its “intricate plot”, “powerful authenticity” and describing it as “a breakneck thriller”.

The second series will see Helen Behan and Jordan Kouamé reprise their roles as Dr Norma Callahan and Dr George Adjei, respectively, as the Medical Investigation Unit delve into another suspected case of medical negligence, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.

ITV Head of Drama, Polly Hill, commented:

“We are all delighted with the response Malpractice received and Grace has an exciting new story, exploring a new medical malpractice to grip the audience all over again.  A huge thanks to Simon and everyone at World who made the first series the brilliant and unmissable drama that Malpractice became.”

Simon Heath (CEO of World Productions) added:

“I’m delighted that Grace’s gripping and provocative medical drama struck such a chord with the ITV audience, and that we will have the opportunity to bring Grace’s brand-new investigation to the screen.”

Grace Ofori-Attah added:

“I’m thrilled to be bringing another series of Malpractice to TV screens alongside Polly and the fantastic team at World. I can’t wait to delve into a new and exciting area of medicine, exploring the complex bonds and divisions within hospital teams that push our characters to their limits.”

Malpractice is produced in association with ITV Studios, which also handles global distribution.

World Productions produced the highest rated dramas of 2021 on ITV and BBC1 in The Pembrokeshire Murders and Line of Duty and were responsible for producing the critically acclaimed drama, Anne, which aired on ITV last year. World was awarded Best Independent Production Company at last year’s Broadcast Awards, having also won in 2019. It is part of ITV Studios.

Filming is due to commence next year.

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Notes to editors

About World Productions:

Founded in 1990, World Productions has produced over 350 hours of critically-acclaimed, award-winning drama for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, HBO, Netflix, Amazon & Sky. CEO & Creative Director Simon Heath joined the company in 1997 and has led it since 2006. World was bought by ITV Studios in 2017 and now has offices in London, Glasgow & Cardiff.

Over the last decade World has blazed a trail of gripping, talk-about, contemporary TV that combines human stories with high stakes drama and authenticity. Launched in 2012, the multi-award winning, critically acclaimed Line of Duty enthralled the nation becoming the most watched TV drama of the 21st century. The show was quickly followed by the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Emmy nominated Bodyguard in 2018, and 2021’s most watched drama, Vigil, which won the International Emmy for Best Drama Series in 2022.

Save Me Too was Sky’s most downloaded show during 2020’s lockdown and in 2021 won the BAFTA for Best Drama Series. The beginning of 2021 saw The Pembrokeshire Murders achieve ITV’s biggest audience for a new drama since 2006, and the highest rated ITV drama of the year.

Over the last four years, World Productions has twice been awarded Independent Production Company of the Year at the Broadcast Awards (where it was described as a “bonafide hit factory”) and Best Independent Production Company at the Edinburgh Television Festival Awards.

2022 and 2023 have been two of the company’s busiest years ever, delivering shows for the BBC, ITV, Amazon, Netflix and C4. World completed shooting four shows in 2022 and have six shows at various stages of production in 2023.