Doctor Foster

Doctor Foster is a five-part British drama series, awaiting a second season due to air in 2017. A long wait, but one I imagine will be most worth it. In just five episodes, the first season gripped the nation, resulting in Doctor Foster deservingly winning twice at the National Television Awards for Best New Drama and Best Serial Drama Performance on the part of the main actress, Suranne Jones.

The show follows the story of Gemma Foster, a doctor at Parminster Medical Centre and mother to pre-teen son Tom, who begins to suspect her happy marriage is not as happy as she thought. She finds a blonde hair on her husband Simon's clothing and immediately suspects he's cheating. The first episode shows the complicated interactions she endures at work with both colleagues and patients, and her growing paranoia about Simon.

In the four episodes that follow, Gemma uncovers more and more about Simon's personal life, finding there to be more issues than just infidelity. She concocts her revenge and involves her son in it perhaps too much, her mind poisoned with Simon's betrayal.

The realness of the nail-biting drama hits hard, and Gemma's spiral into heartbreak and complete fury kept me on the edge of my seat throughout every episode. Jones' performance is compelling and almost relatably painful. In trying to punish Simon for his actions, Gemma frequently makes choices that negatively affect her own life, mainly at work. Yet as much as her pain is felt, it always leads to an explosive plot twist.

Despite much of Gemma's actions being destructive to herself and even her son, I found myself rooting for her vengeance to be successful -- nobody wants a cheater to win.

The drama stays believable without being trashy, and left viewers with the most satisfying but realistic ending that could have been possible. The final episode was a deliciously awkward caper, puppeteered expertly by Gemma.

With a second season secured, I personally can't wait to see how Jones will captivate British television once more with her portrayal.

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