Doctor Foster: The Scripts

Mike Bartlett

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN: 9781848425705
• eBook ISBN: 9781780017594
• Topic: Media & Performing Arts
• Subtopic: Film Screenplays

Mike Bartlett's complete scripts for the award-winning first series of his superlative television drama, winner of Best New Drama at the 2016 National Television Awards and Best TV Drama at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards.

Doctor Gemma Foster is a woman seemingly in control: a trusted GP, the heart of her town, a woman people can trust. But her life is about to explode.

Suspecting her husband of having an affair, Gemma throws herself into an investigation that will propel her, her family, and even her patients into chaos. Bit by bit, Doctor Foster uncovers secrets that shock her to the core. Now she has to choose how to react. One thing is certain - she is going to behave in ways she could never have imagined.

Doctor Foster: The Scripts contains the complete scripts to all five episodes of the first series, plus exclusive bonus material.

Doctor Foster premiered on BBC One in September 2015, starring Suranne Jones and Bertie Carvel. The series drew a weekly audience of over 8.2 million viewers, peaking at over 10 million for the finale, and was the BBC's highest-rating new drama of the year. It won two prizes at the National Television Awards 2016, including Best New Drama.

EPISODE ONE

INT. FOSTER HOUSE. GEMMA’S BEDROOM. DAY

Early morning. We see details around a room, as sex goes on in the background. A discarded suit on the floor, a suitcase, the curtains letting in the morning light. We can hear the sex is good – the sex noises are slightly hushed, but clearly enjoyable.

On to a pillow on a bed. In profile.

Suddenly Gemma falls back into shot, beaming. She’s thirty-seven, very bright. She smiles –

SIMON

You miss me?

GEMMA

Yeah, I did.

Simon leans down. He’s forty, young looking, sincere. They kiss passionately, then roll over so she’s on top –

CUT TO –

TWENTY MINUTES LATER.

It was great sex but now they’re late. Gemma’s getting dressed but looking for her jacket. Simon emerges from the en suite bathroom in his shirt and underwear.

GEMMA

There’s only a few days to go and there’s a lot to arrange.

SIMON

You didn’t need to, it’s just a few friends. And we’ve got Neil and Anna tonight?

GEMMA

It’s all under control.

Gemma moves Simon’s still-packed suitcase, picks up his trousers from the floor. As she does, some coins fall out, along with a red lip salve. She picks it up, and looks at it.

GEMMA (CONT’D)
(holds up the lip salve)

Is this yours?

SIMON

Yes, actually. Dry lips.

GEMMA
(teasing)

Bit girly.

SIMON

Red? Nothing wrong with that, and it was the only one they had.

GEMMA
(not listening)

Remember you’re taking Tom to school.

SIMON

I’m late.

GEMMA
(finds her jacket)

Me too.

(smiles)

Worth it though.

He smiles as she leaves. Loves her.

INT. FOSTER HOUSE. HALLWAY/KITCHEN. DAY

A radio plays Bon Jovi – ‘Living on a Prayer’. We pan across the front of a fridge, where various things are pinned up with magnets. A photo of Simon, Gemma, Tom, and an older woman in a wheelchair (this is Helen). A list of names with the heading ‘Simon Birthday’, and a calendar.

As we come off the fridge, Gemma rushes in, to find Tom, her son, already eating cereal. We see the kitchen – it’s the working hub of the home. Piles of paperwork on the table, and the side. Unwashed mugs in the sink. It all works, but only just.

Gemma’s not happy with her hair.

GEMMA
(to herself)

No one’s going to notice, it looks fine.

TOM

What does?

GEMMA

Nothing.

TOM

Morning, Mum.

GEMMA

Morning, darling.

TOM

You know we’re late.

GEMMA

The form for the trip is in your bag.

TOM

Thanks.

GEMMA

No problem. Don’t forget your coat.

TOM

Yeah, okay.

She picks up her car keys, puts on her coat just as Simon enters in his suit, holding some papers and blueprints.

SIMON

All ready mate?

TOM

Nearly.

Tom gets down from the table and goes into the hall to get his stuff ready.

GEMMA

Where’s my scarf?

SIMON

Have mine.

GEMMA
(picking it up from the chair)

It’s black. I’m wearing blue.

SIMON

I think you’ll manage.

She wraps it round her neck. Kisses Tom as he comes back in, in his coat.

GEMMA

Bye.

SIMON

Bye.

Then she turns to Simon. Kisses him too. Then leaves.

TOM

Dad, did you drive back last night?

SIMON

Yeah. Got meetings this morning.

INT. FOSTER HOUSE. HALLWAY. DAY

As she goes Tom and Simon are still talking.

TOM (O.S.)

What happens in a meeting?

SIMON (O.S.)

What do you mean?

TOM (O.S.)

What do you do?

SIMON (O.S.)

You sit and drink coffee and discuss things.

Gemma opens the front door and goes out.

GEMMA

See you later!

SIMON (O.S.)

Bye!

TOM (O.S.)

Bye, Mum!

The front door shuts.

EXT. PARMINSTER. DAY

Parminster in morning sun. It’s a medium-sized town, a few miles away from the nearest city. Old buildings, mixed in with new-build and sixties housing estates.

Aerial shot as Gemma’s blue car makes its way up a street. On speakerphone in the car, she’s talking to Anna.

GEMMA (V.O.)

Right, we’...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Contents
• Foreword by Suranne Jones
• Introduction by Mike Bartlett
• Doctor Foster: The Road to the Small Screen
• Thanks
• Episode One
• Episode Two
• Episode Three
• Episode Four
• Episode Five
• Cast and Crew
• About the Author
• Copyright Information