The Indian Doctor
Encyclopedia
The Indian Doctor is a British television drama set in the summer of 1963. Produced by Rondo Media and Avatar Productions, it was first broadcast on BBC One
in 2010. A second series has been commissioned.
stars as Dr. Prem Sharma, the Indian doctor of the title who moves with his wife Kamini Sharma (Ayesha Dharker
) to the small Welsh mining village of Trefelin.
The series is based on a true story of culture clash. On a BBC blog site, Sanjeev Bhaskar describes preparing for the role by talking with relatives who lived during the 1960s, but also by having discussions with a man (Dr Prem Subberwal) who did actually emigrate from India with his wife (Kamini Subberwal) to work as an NHS doctor in a small Welsh village. Subberwal explained that one of the major difficulties he had was in understanding and being understood, not because of the English language, but due to the Welsh accent and various colloquialisms that the people used which the Indian, having learned a more formally structured version of English, could not follow.
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
in 2010. A second series has been commissioned.
Setting
The first five-part series was broadcast from Monday 15 November to the 19 November 2010. Sanjeev BhaskarSanjeev Bhaskar
Sanjeev Bhaskar, OBE is a British Indian comedian, actor and broadcaster, best known for his work in the BBC Two comedy series Goodness Gracious Me and as host of The Kumars at No. 42...
stars as Dr. Prem Sharma, the Indian doctor of the title who moves with his wife Kamini Sharma (Ayesha Dharker
Ayesha Dharker
Ayesha Dharker is a British-Indian actress. She is known for her performance in the Tamil Indian film, The Terrorist , for which she was awarded Best Artistic Contribution by an Actress at the Cairo International Film Festival and nominated for a Chlotrudis Award and National Film Award for Best...
) to the small Welsh mining village of Trefelin.
The series is based on a true story of culture clash. On a BBC blog site, Sanjeev Bhaskar describes preparing for the role by talking with relatives who lived during the 1960s, but also by having discussions with a man (Dr Prem Subberwal) who did actually emigrate from India with his wife (Kamini Subberwal) to work as an NHS doctor in a small Welsh village. Subberwal explained that one of the major difficulties he had was in understanding and being understood, not because of the English language, but due to the Welsh accent and various colloquialisms that the people used which the Indian, having learned a more formally structured version of English, could not follow.
Plot summary
The principal storyline revolves around the outwardly jolly colliery manager Richard Sharpe, and the dark secret that he has deliberately ignored safety warnings to develop productivity in his attempts to further his own career. Evidence to this effect exists in the previous doctor's diaries, and the new Indian doctor becomes determined to reveal the truth. Subsidiary storylines revolve around the doctor's relationship with Megan Evans, the blossoming love affair between Tom Evans and Gina Nicolli, the theft of charitable funds by Owen Griffiths, and the truancy (and associated troubles) of Dan Griffiths.Characters
Other main characters in the series included:- Gina Nicolli (Naomi Everson) the receptionist.
- Richard Sharpe (Mark WilliamsMark Williams (actor)Mark Williams is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter and presenter. He is best known as one of the stars of the popular BBC sketch show The Fast Show, as well as for his role as Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films....
) the colliery manager who runs the mine. - Sylvia Sharpe (Beth Robert) Richard Sharpe's fiery redhead wife.
- Megan Evans (Mali HarriesMali HarriesMali Harries is a Welsh actress and has been in the television industry since 1999 and is still ongoing in her work. She is renowned for her roles in several TV series, such as Holby City, The Bill and Doctors....
) whose miner husband is dying of emphysema. - Tom Evans (Alexander Vlahos) Megan's step-son, who wants to be a professional singer.
- Dan Griffiths (Jacob Oakley) a local boy.
- Owen Griffiths (Ifan Huw Dafydd) Dan's father.
- Sian Davies (Erica Eirian) local shop owner.
Series 1
| # | Title | Director | Writer | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|---|---|