Doctor Foster doesn't need a second series, just like Broadchurch or The Missing

In Tellyland, some might have referred to the BBC's Doctor Foster as a close-ended series. One that's finite where the story gets conclusively wrapped up. I won't go into what happened in Mike Bartlett's domestic drama here, just in case anyone hasn't caught up with watching the brilliant Suranne Jones in the titular role. But it's no spoiler to say she played a woman on the brink. Over six fraught hours, she was a tightly coiled spring working up to releasing her anger on a spineless, cheating husband (played by the equally good Bertie Carvel). The conclusion when it came was punch-in-the-gut dramatic to watch. But it felt right that it was done. Yet, the BBC announced this week that it has recommissioned the show for a second series. How predictable, but how disappointing.

open image in gallery

Given that it got an average of 8.2 million viewers - the highest of any new TV drama this year - with over 10.1 million tuning into the finale (only surpassed by Call the Midwife), that's not a surprise. The Beeb did the same with The Missing, its ratings-winning drama solving - relatively conclusively -a child abduction and examining the impact on the parents. It's coming back, with a whole new crime populated by some of the same characters (just not, arguably, its star James Nesbitt). It may be just as good, but I'd be more interested to see what other ideas writers Jack and Harry Williams have up their talented sleeves.

Elsewhere, ITV has the once inimitable Broadchurch. It should have ended after one outing, but now it's preparing to limp into a third series. It's obvious why: money, viewing figures and a bid to keep up with big boy subscription services. But why risk stretching plots, characterisation and ultimately viewers patience too thinly? The second series of the Dorset-set drama still did well in the ratings, but it was not the fresh-feeling giant of the first - something viewers pointed out in droves each week on social media.

Of course all those involved in Doctor Foster mark two pretend it won't be a problem. Writer Mike Bartlett said he was "thrilled" to "tell the next chapter in Gemma's story". In the Beeb's press release, Jones was also quoted as being "thrilled", adding: "I can't wait for the audience who invested in these characters to find out the explosive twists and turns. Now we can look into what happens to a woman after divorce, deceit and revenge has taken its toll."

open image in gallery

Of course they are all "thrilled", not that anyone involved needs the work. Jones is currently filming a three-part special of ITV's popular police drama Scott and Bailey. Bartlett, an Olivier award-winning playwright, has seen his hit play Charles III off on a national tour and it has transferred to Broadway and Sydney.

Doctor Foster was Bartlett's first gig for BBC One and he showed he can do tightly scripted, original feeling telly that still lets his theatrical nous shine through. So, why not commission Bartlett and Jones to work on something else together - I for one, would be absolutely thrilled.