This Is Going to Hurt cast and character guide: Who played whom in the BBC medical drama?

This is Going to Hurt is a medical drama that follows the hospital chaos via its central character, Adam Kay, a junior doctor in the Gynaecology ward. He deals with the relentless pressure of understaffed and overworked public healthcare. The show highlights how the healthcare system is such that it drains the doctors mentally, even the brightest among them.

The show is a dark comedy with Adam's humor driving the show, delivering babies, and featuring the brutality and warmth of motherhood and maternal care. Alongside Adam is Shruti Acharya, a young doctor whose struggle to cope exposes some harsh realities of the system. Therefore, all the characters we see in This is Going to Hurt are morally layered, and the actors who have played them make the show worth watching.

Here is the list of cast members who breathed life into such iconic characters.

This Is Going to Hurt cast and character guide: Who played whom explored

This Is Going to Hurt cast and character guide (Image Via BBC)

Ben Whishaw as Adam Kay

Adam is a junior doctor in the hectic Obstetrics and Gynaecology ward. He is constantly balancing his professional and personal life, especially after compromising a worthy relationship with Harry because of his medical career. This is Going to Hurt is all from Adam's perspective. His character transformation is significant in the show as he assumes the responsibility to be vocal about the broken healthcare system after Shruti's death.

Finding Ben Whishaw's face familiar? The actor shared credits for playing Q in the James Bond films (Skyfall, Spectre, No Time to Die).

Ambika Mod as Shruti Acharya

Shruti is a newly qualified Senior House Officer working under Adam. She is portrayed as bright and hardworking, who clears the first part of her exams on her first attempt. However, deep down, she is dipping into depression and is under pressure handling the exams as well as her job.

Her emotional decline forms the show’s most powerful arc, culminating in her tragic death, which becomes the turning point for Adam’s moral reckoning. Ambika Mod shared credits in The Mash Report and the series Trying before appearing in the BBC medical drama.

Alex Jennings as Mr. Nigel Lockhart

The authoritative and intimidating chief consultant in the O&G is Mr. Nigel Lockhart, played by Alex Jennings. He is portrayed as demanding and politically savvy; however, sometimes manipulative. When Shruti dies and Adam finds himself trapped in the chaos involving Erika, it is Lockhart who suggests that he should blame it on Shruti, so that no one will be at a loss.

This character in the show represents systemic flaws in the NHS hierarchy. Jennings' notable projects include Edward VIII in The Crown.

Michele Austin as Tracy

Tracy is the senior midwife who works closely with Adam. She is experienced and takes no nonsense. She is portrayed as empathetic and blunt when needed. Tracy grounds the ward with her humanity. She and Adam initially had some friction, but eventually developed mutual respect. Michele Austin is known for playing PC Yvonne Hemmingway in The Bill.

Alongside them, some additional cast members play major roles, including Hannah Onslow as Erika, a young pregnant woman whose case becomes central to Adam’s emotional journey. Then there is Rory Fleck Byrne as Harry, Adam’s partner, navigating commitment issues. In the finale, when Adam tells her he is considering leaving medicine for their relationship, she makes him realize how he can never live without it.

Dame Harriet Walter portrays Adam’s emotionally distant mother, Veronique, while Julian is played by Kadiff Kirwan.