Doctor Foster is returning to BBC One for a third and final series

Ten years after discovering that her husband was having an affair, Gemma is getting married!

BBC One has confirmed that hit drama Doctor Foster, written and created by Mike Bartlett, will return for a third and final series.

The new five-part run will see Suranne Jones return as Gemma Foster, opposite Bertie Carvel as Simon and Tom Taylor as Tom.

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?

Filming will begin later this spring in and around Hertfordshire, and 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."

To which writer, creator and executive producer Mike Bartlett, added "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…"

Made by Drama Republic, a Mediawan Group Company, Doctor Foster is created and written by Mike Bartlett, who is also an executive producer. It will be directed by John Hardwick, produced by Nige Watson and executive produced by Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky for Drama Republic, Mike Bartlett and Suranne Jones.

Speaking ahead of the show's return, the BBC's Director of Drama, Lindsay Salt, said "It’s a privilege to welcome Doctor Foster back to the BBC after almost a decade away. The extent to which the first two series gripped the nation is a credit to Mike’s writing, the talented team at Drama Republic and our magnificent cast – and now we’re ready do it one more time in this epic final chapter. Bring it on!"

To which Roanna Benn and Jude Liknaitzky, executive producers/co-CEO’s for Drama Republic, added "We are so excited to be bringing the finale of Doctor Foster to the screen. Mike Bartlett has written thrilling, gripping, audacious scripts that see Gemma and Simon re-encounter one another ten years on and it is electrifying!!! We cannot wait to watch the phenomenal Suranne and Bertie together on screen once again. And to meet the grown-up Tom. It is honestly going to be an amazing ride!"

Doctor Foster first aired in 2015 and the series two finale in 2017 was watched by almost 10 million people.

Doctor Foster will return to BBC One