Filming is due to start on a new six-part ITV medical drama starring former Games of Thrones actress Amrita Acharia, Amanda Redman, Neil Morrissey and Phyllis Logan.
Set in a coastal town in tropical South India, The Good Karma Hospital also stars James Floyd, Darhsan Jariwalla and Sagar Radia and tells the story of British-Asian junior doctor Ruby Walker (Acharia), who arrives at the run-down Good Karma Hospital to join a dedicated team of over-worked medics.
The hospital is run by “gloriously eccentric” Lydia Fonseca (Redman) and is described by producers as “the beating heart of the local community.”
Produced by Tiger Aspect for ITV and created and written by Dan Sefton, the series will begin filming in Sri Lanka later this month.
Amrita Acharia said: “It’s great to be cast in a Brit-Asian lead role in what’s an atypical coming-of-age story in many ways.
“The role of Ruby will be exciting to explore as she uproots the only home she knows, to be thrown into the deep end of a place with a different perspective on universal dilemmas of life, love, success and failure, and ultimately confronts herself with the past she was escaping from.”
Co-star Redman says she “leapt at the chance to play Dr Lydia Fonseca”.
She added: “I have always loved India and Sri Lanka. The people and varied cultures are fascinating, so spending time filming here couldn’t be better. I also love the food, but will have to try and restrain myself. Easier said than done!”
“We’re really excited to be working with Dan on his first original series commission,” said Tiger Aspect’s Will Gould.
“His scripts are as evocative as they are entertaining, full of wonderfully flawed but fascinating characters that find their place in the world a long way from home.
“The scripts have attracted a brilliantly distinctive cast, and we can’t wait to start filming to bring their extraordinary stories to life.”