logo
'I quit the NHS to write hit TV show - here's why it gave me PTSD'

'I quit the NHS to write hit TV show - here's why it gave me PTSD'

Daily Mirror06-05-2025

Grace Ofori-Attah was a psychiatrist in NHS hospitals and left it all behind to write hit ITV thriller Malpractice. However, seeing her experiences acted out was severely traumatic
When Grace Ofori-Attah quit her job as an NHS psychiatrist to become a screenwriter, she thought she'd left the trauma of the hospital wards behind. But when she filmed the second series of her hit medical drama Malpractice, Grace felt like she was right back there.
The new series finds psychiatrist Dr James Ford, played by Tom Hughes, in a dicey situation when he's called to section a psychotic patient and assess an anxious new mother at the same time – with disastrous results.

'In my medical career, I specialised in psychiatry so I drew on my experience,' says Grace. 'Dr Ford is not dissimilar to myself.' But recreating a traumatic scenario left Grace feeling like she was suffering from PTSD.

'I hadn't anticipated how stressful I'd find being on a set that was similar to hospitals I've worked in,' says Grace. 'You can mentally detach yourself when you're writing the scripts, but the curse and benefit of having such a fantastic cast and crew is that they filmed them so well I felt like I was having some kind of PTSD. It took me back – but not being able to intervene, having to watch it behind camera.'
Luckily for Grace, the crew looked after her when scenes became distressing. 'I had a lot of support,' she says. 'As in, did I want to be on set for certain scenes? Would I find it distressing? Honestly, I hadn't anticipated that. I was grateful that the provision was there.'
There are newcomers, too - Am I Being Unreasonable? star Selin Hizli joins as Dr Sophia Hernandez and Zoë Telford is Dr Kate McAllister. While Jordan Kouamé returns as Dr George Adjei and Helen Behan plays Dr Norma Callahan.
When viewers first meet James, he's a confident junior doctor. 'We find James at a moment where everything seems OK,' says Tom, 40. 'He's been working at a new hospital for a relatively short period, but long enough for him to find his feet. Things are looking positive. But as the series goes on, James faces several challenges.'

Playing a medic isn't easy and Tom was grateful to have Grace on hand. 'She was there to fall back on,' says Tom. 'It was Grace's medical background and real-life experience that drew me to the role.'
Selin's character Sophia is also at a tricky point in her life – she's pulled in different directions by her family and her career. From the start, she clashes with James. 'Sophia is trying to be everything to everyone,' says Selin, 36. 'She's trying to have it all, and she's starting to realise it might not be possible.'
Selin was delighted to play a doctor, but needed help beyond Grace's capacity when she filmed in the maternity ward. 'We had a midwife to talk through anything technical,' explains Selin. 'And lots of guidance from an obstetrician who was with us when we were doing the more demanding medical procedures.'
Fans were gripped by the first series set in A&E, and Helen, who plays Norma, says that while this series has a slightly slower pace, it's got more depth. 'Every department has its own drama,' says Helen, 45. 'This has been a more intense experience.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Deacon Blue star 'seriously ill' as Scots band make heartbreaking show announcement
Deacon Blue star 'seriously ill' as Scots band make heartbreaking show announcement

Daily Record

time22 minutes ago

  • Daily Record

Deacon Blue star 'seriously ill' as Scots band make heartbreaking show announcement

Founding member of the Scots band James (Jim) Prime has been hospitalised and is being looked after by intensive care staff as the band made an announcement on social media. Deacon Blue's leading man, James Prime, is said to be "seriously ill" in hospital, surrounded by his loved ones. The Scottish pop rock band, formed in Glasgow in the 1985, issued a statement on social media on Wednesday, June 11. They wrote: "Dear friends, we wanted to share some news with you about our brother, Jim. Unfortunately he is seriously ill and undergoing care in hospital. We would like you to join us in wishing him well and share your love with him." ‌ The statement continued: "We spoke to Jim yesterday about Deacon Blue's plans for the rest of the year, and he encouraged us to continue with love in our hearts and with his full blessing that the shows go ahead, even if it means replacing the irreplaceable James Miller Prime for the time being. ‌ "Together with Jim's family, we want to thank all the nurses, doctors, and ICU staff for their ongoing care, professionalism and compassion." "With love Ricky, Lorraine, Dougie, Gregor, Lewis and Tom," they signed off.

Strictly Come Dancing's Wynne Evans takes swipe at BBC over apology 'that is not true'
Strictly Come Dancing's Wynne Evans takes swipe at BBC over apology 'that is not true'

Edinburgh Live

time27 minutes ago

  • Edinburgh Live

Strictly Come Dancing's Wynne Evans takes swipe at BBC over apology 'that is not true'

Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Wynne Evans took a swipe at the BBC on Wednesday's This Morning as he spoke about the Strictly Come Dancing scandal. Just last month, the Welsh opera singer, 53, revealed he had been dropped by the BBC, following an apology saying that he used "inappropriate language" during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. Talking about the Strictly scandal on Wednesday's This Morning, Wynne said of the video and "inappropriate language" used: "I was talking to Jamie Borthwick, I had this nickname for him, which was 'old' and then the word in question and 'boy'. So I used to call him this because he could contort his legs over his head!" Wynne then claimed that the nickname, which was recorded without his knowledge, was taken and given its "own narrative," spinning into the Strictly scandal, in which the words "old" and "boy" were removed. (Image: ITV) He said: "Which you can absolutely see on the video, it's absolutely crystal clear, and when we've had the volume looked at, you know, the words are there. They're there for everybody to see. "Even though I'm looking at Jamie, they claim that I'm directing this word at Janette [Manrara]. This has totally been taken out of context, absolutely. "The narrative is so wrong on it, in fact, when I saw the narrative in the newspaper, I was just shocked and horrified because instead of a nickname with another word for rotisserie in it… You know, because this guy could get his legs behind his head like a chicken, it's turned into this sexual innuendo. I was mortified, absolutely mortified by it." Wynne explained how he spoke with Janette after the incident was reported in the press: "I spoke with Janette as you know afterwards and A, she didn't hear it and B, there has never been any complaints about me ever… How can somebody take a narrative and change it and you know, everybody just believe it?" Later during the interview, Wynne claimed that the apology, which was released, wasn't approved by him, saying he was concerned it looked like he had validated the story. (Image: BBC) In a statement from the BBC read out by host Ben Shephard, it said: "The apology issued on Wynne's behalf by the Strictly Come Dancing Tour PR representative on Saturday, 25th January was fully approved by Wynne." Wynne responded live on air, claiming, "No, that's not true. I got no email, and it was not fully approved by me at all." Later in the interview, Wynne emotionally admitted that the "relentless" Strictly scandal left him suicidal, and he was supported by his family. He said, "I was at my lowest, I wanted to end my life. I would have if I hadn't of been surrounded by people." Recalling one emotional moment with his girlfriend, whom he got engaged to over the weekend, Wynne said: "I remember saying to my girlfriend: 'I have to kill myself, I have to...'" to which he choked back tears live on air. (Image: Instagram) Talking about how his friends and family have supported him, he said, "I was on the crisis team for a month, and they just looked after me the whole time. "My friends, family, and girlfriend had a rota so they could be with me 24 hours a day, sitting up with me because it was just so relentless." He added: "They've [my family] been utterly brilliant and my girlfriend has been fantastic as well." Host, Cat Deeley, then asked: "How have the BBC been?" Wynne responded, "I haven't heard from them since I got suspended. Personally, I haven't heard from them. I don't know; they've only spoken to my lawyers." This Morning host, Ben, read another statement from the BBC which said in response to Wynne's claims: "We provided comprehensive duty of care for Wynne that included support by wellbeing professionals. "He was also provided with direct access to a designated contact at the BBC who was available to assist him at anytime. Plus he has been offered continued support since his contract with the BBC concluded." Ben then asked, "Were you aware that you had that option?" Wynne responded, "No, I wasn't aware!" Reach PLC has contacted BBC for comment. *If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, you can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 or visit

Susanna Reid tells Richard Madeley 'I'm concerned we'll lose you'
Susanna Reid tells Richard Madeley 'I'm concerned we'll lose you'

Daily Mirror

time28 minutes ago

  • Daily Mirror

Susanna Reid tells Richard Madeley 'I'm concerned we'll lose you'

Good Morning Britain presenter, Susanna Reid, told co-host, Richard Madeley, she was worried about him after he appeared in the studio wearing a wrist brace Susanna Reid expressed concern for her Good Morning Britain co-host, Richard Madeley, today, telling the 69-year-old she was worried she was going to 'lose him'. The former This Morning star sparked concern when he arrived in the studio wearing a wrist brace after revealing he'd suffered a nasty fall on holiday in France. Richard, who is one of the nation's most recognisable presenters, was also struggling to talk when the ITV show started as Susanna, 54, told the dad-of-two: "I'm a bit concerned we might lose you through the programme..." Pointing at his throat, croaky-voiced, Richard replied: "This thing? I think it'll get stronger throughout the programme. That's my prediction." ‌ ‌ Later in the show, Richard revealed he had been given honey and water to soothe his throat, and reassured viewers that he would be back to full strength by the next day. "If it's annoying you, I'm really sorry. Tomorrow it'll be better," he promised. However, his health sparked a flurry of concerned comments on X (formerly Twitter), with many questioning the decision to let Richard host despite his vocal struggles. One viewer asked: "Why on earth have you let Richard take the chair today when he can hardly talk?" Another said: "Richard Madeley sounds like Daddy Pig this morning," while a third commented: "Richard's ill, should have replaced him today." Richard, who has presented GMB since 2017, was also forced to explain his painful looking wrist, which was supported by a brace. Clocking his new accessory, Susanna said: 'Richard, you better explain – that looks sore." ‌ The veteran presenter, who is married to former This Morning co-host, Judy Finnigan, and who has just come back from a trip away to France, unfortunately didn't have the best time in Europe as he revealed he fell down a steep pavement while away on his trip. Explaining the unfortunate events to his co-host, Richard revealed he had a double fracture of the wrist, explaining: "I was walking quite quickly down a steep pavement in France, actually, on Friday. 'The pavement was loose and it flipped up and it flipped me forward, and I thought, 'Am I gonna win or is gravity gonna win?' And gravity won, and I hit the ground hard. So yeah, I've got a double fracture and we'll see how it goes." ‌ It seems like the injury was painful for the star, who continued: 'I'm not discussing the pain threshold. We don't think about pain.' Changing the subject, Susanna continued: "Okay, we're just going to distract ourselves. It's good to have you back." "It's nice to be back," Richard replied, as Susanna smiled, warmly.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store