Ben Whishaw to star in This Is Going To Hurt

en Whishaw is to star in \'This Is Going To Hurt\'.

The \'Very English Scandal\' actor will portray Adam Kay in the adaptation of the doctor\'s humorous medical memoir in a new BBC series and he\'s delighted to be involved with the project.

He said: "It\'s an honest, hilarious, heartbreaking look at the great [NHS] institution and the army of unsung heroes who work there under the most stressful conditions.

"The COVID-19 crisis has now shed even more light on their great work and underlines the necessity to support the NHS and its workers. I look forward to telling this story."

Adam - who will adapt the book and co-produce through Terrible Productions - is delighted that a handsome "national treasure" will be portraying him on screen.

He said: "Ben is quite simply one of the finest actors our country has produced and a national treasure. There\'s simply no one who could do a better job of playing - a much more handsome version of - me."

\'The End of the F***cking World\' director Lucy Forbes will be working behind the camera and said the "hilarious and heart-breaking view of the NHS feels more ­relevant than ever."

AMC Studios will be working alongside the BBC on the show.

Dan McDermott, president of original programming and co-president of AMC Studios, said: "As we continue to search for unique voices and uncover authentic and rarely seen worlds, we\'re proud to once again partner with the remarkable creative team at Sister on this timely series focusing a lens on the societal and cultural issues surrounding the healthcare system."

The drama was first announced in July 2018 and tells the story of gruelling life on a hospital ward through the eyes of a junior doctor.