Trauma: the new revenge thriller from the writer of Doctor Foster

John Simm and Adrian Lester star in new ITV drama Trauma (Photo: ITV)John Simm and Adrian Lester star in new ITV drama Trauma (Photo: ITV)
John Simm and Adrian Lester star in new ITV drama Trauma (Photo: ITV)

Trauma, a new three-part thriller coming to ITV this month, tells the powerful story of a father who loses his son, and the surgeon who tried to save him.

Starring Adrian Lester (recently seen playing Robert Carver in Sky Atlantic’s divisive Riviera) and Life on Mars’ John Simm, Trauma is set to be a psychologically gripping drama.

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Lester plays Jon Allerton, a well-educated family man and a highly respected trauma surgeon, while Simm is Dan Bowker, a struggling factory manager.

The pair’s lives collide in a shocking way when Dan’s 15 year-old son is stabbed, dying in the trauma department where Jon works.

Dan – pushed the edge after all he’s been through – begins to believe that Jon is responsible for his son’s death.

With Dan’s mental state gradually spiralling out of control, he embarks on a hunt for justice, unpicking Jon’s life in terrifying detail.

‘Intense, emotional and complex’

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Trauma comes courtesy of playwright turned screenwriter Mike Bartlett, who also wrote both series of Doctor Foster. It looks to be another fast-paced drama that deals with very human feelings of loss, regret, deception and revenge.

Judging by its premise, intense and emotional scenes are guaranteed. Simm, Lester and their co-stars will hopefully rise to the challenge.

Trauma also features Rowena King as Jon’s wife; a successful psychiatrist and the mother of their 18-year-old daughter Alana, played by Jade Anouka.

Lyndsey Marshal – who recently appeared as Ellie in The League of Gentlemen’s recent specials – plays Susie Bowker, Dan’s hard-working wife and mother of his three children.

‘This cast has exceeded expectations’ (Photo: ITV)

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“I wrote Trauma knowing we needed, and hoping we’d get, hugely talented actors for the roles,” explained Bartlett. “But this cast has exceeded expectations.”

ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, added: “Mike’s incredible scripts take the two men on an intense, emotional and complex journey.”

Trauma begins on ITV1 on Monday 12 February at 9pm, and will run for three consecutive nights.