''Monroe'' is a British

medical drama A medical drama is a television show or film in which events center upon a hospital, an ambulance staff, or any medical environment. Most recent medical drama (film and television), dramatic programming go beyond the events pertaining to the chara ...

television series created and written by

Peter Bowker Peter Bowker (born 5 January 1959) is a British playwright and screenwriter. He is best known for the television serials ''Blackpool'' (2004), a musical drama about a shady casino owner; ''Occupation'' (2009), which follows three military servic ...

and produced by

Mammoth Screen Mammoth Screen is a UK-based production company that was established in 2007 by Michele Buck and Damien Timmer. It produces drama for key UK broadcasters, especially ITV, and international distribution. Others may be looking for Mammoth Picture ...

for the

ITV ITV or iTV may refer to: ITV *Independent Television (ITV), a British television network, consisting of: ** ITV (TV network), a free-to-air national commercial television network covering the United Kingdom, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islan ...

network. The series follows a

neurosurgeon Neurosurgery or neurological surgery, known in common parlance as brain surgery, is the medical specialty concerned with the surgical treatment of disorders which affect any portion of the nervous system including the brain, spinal cord and peri ...

named Gabriel Monroe, played by

James Nesbitt William James Nesbitt (born 15 January 1965) is an actor from Northern Ireland. From 1987, Nesbitt spent seven years performing in plays that varied from the musical '' Up on the Roof'' (1987, 1989) to the political drama ''Paddywack'' (1994) ...

. The six-part series was commissioned by ITV as one of a number of replacements for its long-running police drama series ''

The Bill ''The Bill'' is a British police procedural television series, first broadcast on ITV from 16 August 1983 until 31 August 2010. The programme originated from a one-off drama, '' Woodentop'', broadcast in August 1983. The programme focused on ...

'', which was cancelled in 2010. Filming on ''Monroe'' began in

Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by populati ...

in September 2010, with production based in the old

Leeds Girls' High School Leeds Girls' High School (LGHS) was an independent, selective, fee-paying school for girls aged 3–18 founded in 1876 in Headingley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It merged with Leeds Grammar School in 2005 to form The Grammar School at Le ...

Headingley Headingley is a suburb of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, approximately two miles out of the city centre, to the north west along the A660 road. Headingley is the location of the Beckett Park campus of Leeds Beckett University and Headingle ...

. The first episode was broadcast on ITV on 10 March 2011 to strong ratings. A second series followed in 2012. On 14 November 2012, it was announced that ITV had cancelled Monroe due to low viewing figures.

Development

Screenwriter

announced to the trade magazine ''

Broadcast Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum ( radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began ...

'' in July 2009 that he was developing a "big medical drama" for ITV. Bowker had worked on medical dramas early in his career, including ''

Casualty Casualty may refer to: *Casualty (person), a person who is killed or rendered unfit for service in a war or natural disaster **Civilian casualty, a non-combatant killed or injured in warfare * The emergency department of a hospital, also known as ...

'' and ''Medics''. ITV's director of drama Laura Mackie told ''

The Stage ''The Stage'' is a British weekly newspaper and website covering the entertainment industry and particularly theatre. It was founded in 1880. It contains news, reviews, opinion, features, and recruitment advertising, mainly directed at those wh ...

'' that the series would be "grown-up" and would be based around a single character, like ITV's ''

Doc Martin ''Doc Martin'' is a British medical comedy drama television series starring Martin Clunes as Doctor Martin Ellingham. It was created by Dominic Minghella after the character of Dr Martin Bamford in the 2000 comedy film '' Saving Grace''. The ...

''. Mackie believed that other broadcasters were reluctant to create series with one lead character—instead making ensemble shows like ''Casualty'' and ''

Holby City ''Holby City'' (stylised on-screen as HOLBY CIY) is a British medical drama television series that aired weekly on BBC One. It was created by Tony McHale and Mal Young as a spin-off from the established BBC medical drama ''Casualty'', and pr ...

''—so Bowker's series would not overlap with anything already being screened. Bowker told the Media Guardian that he had been inspired to create a series about a

neurologist Neurology (from el, νεῦρον (neûron), "string, nerve" and the suffix -logia, "study of") is the branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of conditions and disease involving the brain, the spinal c ...

after his four-year-old daughter was diagnosed with a

benign Malignancy () is the tendency of a medical condition to become progressively worse. Malignancy is most familiar as a characterization of cancer. A ''malignant'' tumor contrasts with a non-cancerous benign tumor, ''benign'' tumor in that a malign ...

brain tumour. He wanted the drama of ''Monroe'' to be similar to the American medical series ''

House A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air condi ...

''; "It may be foolish to compare the two but with neurologists, as with House, there is this very intense 10 days when you work with them on a case and then you say goodbye – it is really quite fascinating and will hopefully make great drama."Deans, Jason (30 March 2010).
ITV lines up medical series for Bill slot
. MediaGuardian.co.uk (Guardian News & Media). Retrieved on 8 May 2010. Independent production company

developed the series with Bowker, having previously worked with him on his ''

Wuthering Heights ''Wuthering Heights'' is an 1847 novel by Emily Brontë, initially published under her pen name Ellis Bell. It concerns two families of the landed gentry living on the West Yorkshire moorland, moors, the Earnshaws and the Lintons, and their tur ...

'' adaptation. The drama entered the pre-production stage in March 2010, when Laura Mackie and ITV's director of television

Peter Fincham Peter Arthur Fincham (born 26 July 1956) is a British television producer and executive. From 2008 until 2016, he was the Director of Television for the ITV network. He was also formerly the Controller of BBC One, the primary television channel ...

commissioned it for the network. Formal

greenlighting To green-light is to give permission to proceed with a project. The term is a reference to the green traffic signal, indicating "go ahead". Film industry In the context of the film and television industries, to green-light something is to ...

was expected to happen in the first week of April 2010. Film director Paul McGuigan signed on as lead director of ''Monroe''. McGuigan researched the nature of the series by meeting with neurosurgeons and watching a brain operation being performed. Steve Lawes, with whom McGuigan worked on his other television series, '' Sherlock'', was originally announced as the director of photography. McGuigan directed the first three episodes of the series, and David Moore directed the last three. The cast and crew met for a script read-through the week before filming began and the principal cast attended a "boot camp" at

Leeds General Infirmary Leeds General Infirmary, also known as the LGI, is a large teaching hospital based in the centre of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, and is part of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. Its previous name The General Infirmary at Leeds is stil ...

Production

Filming on the series commenced on 26 September 2010. The principal setting of St Matthews Hospital has been created within the former

.Javin, Val (24 September 2010).
Television: Former Honley Players actress Liz Hume-Dawson lands a role in ITV medical drama Monroe alongside James Nesbitt and Sarah Parish
. ''The Huddersfield Daily Examiner'' (Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales). Eight weeks were spent converting the school into the hospital set, with the ward set built in the old library.

Characters

as Dr Gabriel Monroe. Brilliant but unusual

. Recently divorced from Anna, with a son Nick in university.ITV Press Centre 7 September 201

Press Pack. Retrieved on 23 September 2012" *

Sarah Parish Sarah Parish (born 7 June 1968) is an English actress. She is known for her work on television series including: ''The Pillars of the Earth'', ''Peak Practice'', '' Hearts and Bones'', ''Cutting It'', ''Doctor Who'', '' Mistresses'', ''Merlin'', ...

as Dr Jenny Bremner. Talented, but somewhat aloof cardiothoracic surgeon, in a relationship with Dr Shepherd and at the start of season 2 has just returned from maternity leave. * Tom Riley as Dr Lawrence Shepherd. An

anaesthetist Anesthesiology, anaesthesiology, or anaesthesia is the medical specialty concerned with the total perioperative care of patients before, during and after surgery. It encompasses anesthesia, intensive care medicine, critical emergency medicine, ...

, he is Monroe's best friend and is in a relationship with Dr Bremner, and has a baby Louis with her. *

Neil Pearson Neil John Pearson (born 27 April 1959) is a British actor, known for his work on television. He was nominated for the 1994 BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor for '' Between the Lines'' (1992–1994). His other television roles include ''Drop the D ...

as Dr Alistair Gillespie.

General surgeon General surgery is a surgical specialty that focuses on alimentary canal and abdominal contents including the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, appendix and bile ducts, and often the thyroid g ...

and newly appointed Head of Clinical Services at St Matthew's. *

Manjinder Virk Manjinder Virk is a British actress, director and writer. She has appeared in the television series '' Holby City'' (1999), ''Doctors'' (2000), ''The Bill'' (2004), ''The Ghost Squad'' (2005), '' Runaway'' (2009), '' Skins'' (2010), '' Monroe'' ...

as Dr Sally Fortune. Neurosurgical Registrar working under Dr Monroe. * Luke Allen-Gale as Dr Daniel Springer. An over-enthusiastic neurosurgical trainee. He is often seen as obnoxious and arrogant but charming. *Michelle Asante as Dr Kitty Wilson. Neurosurgical trainee, she is shy and weak-stomached, and initially had difficulty making it through operations, Monroe however sees her potential. *

Christina Chong Christina Chong (born 18 September 1983) is an English actress. She has appeared in several notable roles in film and television, including '' Monroe'', '' Line of Duty'', '' Halo: Nightfall'', ''Black Mirror'', '' Doctor Who'', and '' 24: Live ...

as Dr Sarah Witney. Cardiothoracic Registrar working under Dr Bremner. *

Andrew Gower Andrew Gower (born 8 November 1989) is an English actor. A staple in British television and theatre, he is best known for his recurring role as Cutler in '' Being Human'' and his turn as Prince Charles Stuart in ''Outlander''. Gower won the S ...

as Dr Andrew Mullery. Initially a cardiothoracic surgical trainee, he is now a registrar under Gillespie specialising in general and vascular surgery. *

Tracy-Ann Oberman Tracy-Ann Oberman (born Tracy Anne Oberman; 25 August 1966) is an English actress, playwright and narrator. She is widely known for roles including Chrissie Watts in the BBC soap opera '' EastEnders'' (2004–2005) and Valerie Lewis or "Auntie ...

as Lizzie Clapham. Clinical Nurse Specialist dealing with neurosurgical and cardiothoracic patients' emotional needs. *Lisa Millet as Jill McHeath. Ward Nurse, Cottingley Ward. * Thomas Morrison as Lee Bradley. Hospital Porter, also an unofficial bookie, poker enthusiast and lover of greyhounds. He regularly entertains Monroe and Shepherd with his philosophy on life. *

Susan Lynch Susan Lynch (born 5 June 1971) is a Northern Irish actress. three-times an IFTA Award winner, she also won the British Independent Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 2003 film '' 16 Years of Alcohol''. Her other film appearances in ...

as Anna Monroe. Monroe's ex-wife. *

Perry Millward Perry Millward (born 24 October 1992) is an English actor primarily known for his work on theatre, stage (especially in London, London's West End theatre, West End), and with a number of film and television credits. Millward was born in Sidcup, ...

as Nick Monroe. Monroe's son. *Andrew Munroe as Marlon Brown. Monroe's High School friend.

Casting

Actor

, who starred in Bowker's Iraq War drama ''

Occupation Occupation commonly refers to: *Occupation (human activity), or job, one's role in society, often a regular activity performed for payment *Occupation (protest), political demonstration by holding public or symbolic spaces *Military occupation, th ...

'', told the ''

Radio Times ''Radio Times'' (currently styled as ''RadioTimes'') is a British weekly listings magazine devoted to television and radio programme schedules, with other features such as interviews, film reviews and lifestyle items. Founded in May 1923 by J ...

'' in May 2010 that he had been cast in the series. The ITV Press Centre confirmed Nesbitt's involvement on the same day the magazine was published, and announced that he would be playing the title role and that the series would commence filming in

in September 2010 for broadcast in 2011. To research the role, Nesbitt watched surgery being performed and consulted neurosurgeon Philip Van Hille.TV star James Nesbitt opens Wakefield injury centre
. BBC News website. 18 November 2010. Retrieved on 18 November 2010. Nesbitt said of Van Hille's advice, "It's been extremely important as I knew nothing about it eurosurgery He taught me technique, but most of all he taught me about the relationship with patients." Monroe is described by ITV as "a brilliant and unusual neurosurgeon – a flawed genius who never lets anyone forget his flaws or his genius." ITV's Autumn/Winter 2010 press pack refers to other characters in the series: " onroe'strainees, his

, his poker school – and his female colleague, heart surgeon Jenny Bremner, who has contempt for his cockiness."ITV Press Centre (August 2010).
ITV Seasonal Highlights Autumn/Winter 2010
. Press release: p. 16. Retrieved on 8 September 2010. While appearing on '' This Morning'' to promote his role in Mammoth Screen's '' Bouquet of Barbed Wire'', actor Tom Riley announced that he would be playing Monroe's anaethestist. To research the role, he met with anaesthetists in Leeds shortly before filming began, and watched brain surgery being performed on 20 September. Riley revealed the name of the character as Laurence Shepherd on Twitter. The ITV Press Centre announced on 23 September the further casting of

as Jenny Bremner, Manjinder Virk as registrar Sally Fortune,

as Monroe's wife Anna, and Luke Allen-Gale and Michelle Asante as Daniel Springer and Kitty Wilson, two of Monroe's trainees.ITV Press Centre (23 September 2010).
ITV commissions six-part drama Monroe starring James Nesbitt
. Press release. Retrieved on 23 September 2010. Liz Hume-Dawson plays theatre nurse Wicken in at least four episodes. Hume-Dawson has previously portrayed medical professionals in such productions as ''

Bodies Bodies may refer to: * The plural of body * ''Bodies'' (2004 TV series), BBC television programme * Bodies (upcoming TV series), an upcoming British crime thriller limited series * "Bodies" (''Law & Order''), 2003 episode of ''Law & Order'' * ...

''.

, a Spotlight Prize winner, plays regular character Dr Mullery, in his first professional role.

Broadcast

Episode 1 of ''Monroe'' was broadcast on 10 March 2011 at 9 pmITV Press Centre (22 February 2011).
Monroe
. Press release. Retrieved on 22 February 2011. then each of the remaining 5 were shown weekly until 14 April 2011. ITV commissioned a second series from Mammoth Screen in July 2011, to begin production in 2012. It screened in October and November 2012.ITV Press Centre (26 July 2011).

. Press release. Retrieved on 26 July 2011.

Episodes

Series 1 (2011)

Series 2 (2012)

Series 2 begins on Monday 1 October 2012

Notes

References

External links

* *{{IMDb title, id=1652654, name=Monroe 2010s British drama television series 2011 British television series debuts 2012 British television series endings 2010s British medical television series ITV television dramas English-language television shows Television series by Mammoth Screen Television shows set in Leeds