We thought we’d seen the last of Doctor Foster and her vengeful ways, but we were wrong. The BBC has confirmed the return of the hit drama for a third and final series.
The show follows Gemma Foster’s discovery of her husband’s infidelity and the devastating lengths she goes to in order to exact revenge. Echoing the tragedy of Medea, we watched everything fall apart for Foster as her quest for justice ultimately isolated her further from her son, Tom.
Now, ten years later, she’s back for one last season — and one final shot at closure — but the past may not be as far behind Gemma Foster as she’d hope.
Doctor Foster was a UK sensation when it first aired in 2015 and 2017, with nearly 10 million viewers tuning in to the series two finale. The show also earned critical acclaim, picking up National Television Awards for both series, while Suranne Jones won a BAFTA for her portrayal of Gemma Foster.
Here’s everything we know about season three of Doctor Foster, including the filming status.
From Wuthering Heights to Bridgerton and the Vladimir trailer, there is a definite pro-finger agenda going on in pop culture right now. How do we all feel about that?
Has season three been confirmed?
It's happening!
Writer, creator and executive producer Mike Bartlett, says: “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…”
On returning to Doctor Foster, Jones says: “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.”
How many episodes will be in season three of Doctor Foster?
The BBC has reported that the new season will consist of five episodes, each running for around 60 minutes. It will be available to watch on BBC and via BBC iPlayer.
Previous seasons were released an episode a week.
What will Doctor Foster season three be about?
Here's the official synopsis, “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?”
Who is in the cast of Doctor Foster season three?
The full cast list has yet to be released, but here’s what we know so far. Bertie Carvel will return as Simon Foster, and Tom Taylor is also set to reprise his role as Tom Foster, alongside Suranne Jones as Gemma. The trio were specifically mentioned by creator Mike Bartlett, confirming their involvement in the final chapter of the story.
Will this be the final season of Doctor Foster?
Don't get your hopes up again, as this is really it. This is the final season of the hit show.
When will Doctor Foster season three be released?
BBC has confirmed that shooting is set to begin this spring. The update was shared via a caption on BBC iPlayer’s official Instagram account, alongside a photo of Jones, Carvel, and Taylor reuniting for a script read-through.
Instagram content
There’s no official release date yet for Doctor Foster season three, but with filming now underway, it’s likely we could see it arrive in early 2027.
In the meantime, it might be the perfect excuse to revisit seasons one and two of Doctor Foster on BBC iPlayer.
