This Is Going to Hurt: Season 2, True Story, Where to Watch

If you’ve watched a single clip from This Is Going to Hurt — a tired doctor in scrubs, a dark joke, a moment of quiet dread — you already sense this isn’t just another medical drama. The BBC series, adapted from Adam Kay’s memoir, has earned a rare kind of trust: it feels real.

Number of episodes: 7 ·
Number of seasons: 1 (limited series) ·
Based on: Memoir by Adam Kay ·
Original network: BBC One ·
Year released: 2022

Nine key facts, one pattern: the series is grounded in lived experience, not fiction. Here’s the breakdown.

The cast and factual record confirm a series built on memoir, not speculation.

Is there a season 2 of This Is Going to Hurt?

Short answer: no. The series was designed as a limited series covering the entirety of Adam Kay’s memoir. Radio Times (TV listings) confirmed that the BBC had not announced a renewal. Pan Macmillan (publisher) also stated it was not aware of any plans for a second season.

Why is there no season 2?

• The memoir covers Kay’s diary entries from 2004 to 2010 — a finite period.
• Kay wrote all seven episodes, adapting the full book.
• He has said there is no more story to tell from that era.

Will there be a follow-up series?

As of 2025, no follow-up has been announced. Kay has moved on to other projects, including a stage adaptation. The series remains a self-contained seven-episode story.

Is this going to hurt based on a true story?

Yes — but with some creative license. The series is adapted from Adam Kay’s memoir, which collects diary entries from his time as a junior doctor in obstetrics and gynaecology on the NHS between 2004 and 2010 (NationalWorld (news outlet)). Kay himself worked on an OB/GYN ward for more than six years, as reported by Hello! Magazine (celebrity news).

Who is Adam Kay?

• Former NHS junior doctor, specialised in obstetrics and gynaecology from 2005.
• Left medicine after developing PTSD.
• Became a bestselling author and screenwriter.

Is Adam Kay still a doctor?

No. Kay left clinical practice in 2010. He has spoken openly about the toll the job took on his mental health. The series dramatises the burnout and pressure that led to his departure.

How accurate is the series?

Kay has said that the show is a “fictionalised version” of his experiences (Pan Macmillan (publisher)). Many characters are amalgamations of real colleagues and patients. The medical cases are drawn from real events, but timelines and identities have been compressed for storytelling.

Is This Is Going to Hurt worth watching?

Critics overwhelmingly say yes. The series holds a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics and an IMDb rating of 8.5. TIME (current affairs magazine) praised it for sparking discussions about NHS junior doctor working conditions.

What are the critical reviews?

• Loud And Clear Reviews (critics) noted that the show depicts life and death on the labour ward with realism.
• Viewers describe it as both heartbreaking and hilarious.
• Trigger warnings: medical trauma, suicide, mental health crisis.

Who should watch it?

Anyone interested in honest medical dramas, NHS history, or dark comedy. It’s not for those who are sensitive to graphic medical scenes or emotional distress.

The critical consensus points to a show that earns its emotional weight through unflinching realism.

Where can I watch This Is Going to Hurt?

Availability depends on your region. In the UK, the series streams on BBC iPlayer (BBC’s streaming service). In Ireland, it’s available on RTÉ Player. In the United States, it aired on AMC+ (Loud And Clear Reviews (critics)).

Is it on Netflix?

No. As of 2025, the series is not available on Netflix. It has not been added to the platform in any region.

Is it on Amazon Prime Video?

In some regions, yes — but availability varies. Check your local Amazon Prime Video library.

How to watch in Ireland?

RTÉ Player holds the rights. You can stream all seven episodes there for free (with an account).

Is it available on DVD?

Yes, a DVD release is available through major retailers. The memoir is also widely available in print and audiobook.

The implication: viewers outside the UK and Ireland face limited options unless they own a DVD or access Amazon Prime Video.

What happened to Shruti in This Is Going to Hurt?

Shruti (played by Ambika Mod) is a junior doctor who struggles with the immense pressure of the job. Her storyline ends in tragedy — she dies by suicide. This character does not appear in Adam Kay’s memoir. Metro (UK news outlet) confirmed that Shruti was created for the television adaptation.

Who is Shruti?

• A fictional junior doctor working on the labour ward.
• She represents the real-life pressures faced by many trainees.
• Her story is an amalgamation of several colleagues Kay knew.

Does Shruti die?

Yes. Her death is a pivotal moment in the series and has been widely discussed for its honest portrayal of mental health struggles among NHS staff. Kay has said the character’s story reflects the broader crisis in junior doctor welfare.

For anyone who works in or cares about the NHS, the choice is clear: watch it, but prepare yourself. The show doesn’t pull punches — and that’s exactly why it matters. For the rest of us, it’s a stark reminder that the people delivering our babies are often running on empty.

The pattern: this series forces viewers to confront systemic pressures through individual stories that feel both specific and universal.

Frequently asked questions