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Malpractice

Malpractice

2023–2025Ended2 seasons10 episodes~45 min/epMidcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

Dr Lucinda Edwards is a smart, battle-hardened doctor, but we meet her on a nightmare shift that ends in the death of an opioid overdose victim, Edith Owusu. Despite the support of her medical supervisor, Dr Leo Harris, Edith’s grieving father Sir Anthony Owusu, demands an enquiry into Lucinda’s actions on the fateful night.

Your rating, lists and review

Where to watch

Where can I watch Malpractice?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Malpractice streaming on Hulu.

Subscription

Highlights

What stands out about Malpractice?

Malpractice earns 4 badges, led by Crowd Pleaser and Preferred by Non-US Viewers.

  • Reception
  • Craft and mood

Reception

Is Malpractice worth watching?

Malpractice's Midcredits score is the 60th percentile of all shows, from 3.5K ratings across 4 sources. 78% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

60th percentile

Better received than 60% of shows

54th percentile among Crime65th percentile among 2020s
Acclaim (how much people like it)51st
Approval (how many liked it)67th

Acclaim

Crowd Pleaser: Rating-distribution shape vs the catalog

How much people like it

71 /100

51st percentile of all shows

49th percentile among Crime56th percentile among 2020s

Critics 74 · Audience 71

Critics and audiences broadly agree.

Rating distribution

A broad spread centered near 7.2 — solid but not unanimous.

Approval

How many liked it

78% liked it

67th percentile of all shows

58th percentile among Crime72nd percentile among 2020s
78% rated it 7–1022% rated it 1–6

Critics 94% · Audience 86%

On Rotten Tomatoes, a bigger share of critics approved than audiences.

Reach

How many have seen it

73rd percentile

3.5K ratings across platforms

55th percentile among Crime74th percentile among 2020s
TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 70% in 30 days

What reviewers say

Common ground

A tense medical thriller that prioritizes dramatic twists over realism.

Fans praised

  • propulsive tension and twisty investigative thriller structure
  • strong central performance by Niamh Algar as a flawed protagonist
  • authentic depiction of addiction and systemic pressure on NHS doctors

Detractors panned

  • inaccurate and insulting portrayal of real medical investigations and hospital work
  • wooden acting and clichéd, two-dimensional character writing
  • convenient coincidences and absurd procedural breaches (phone records, conflicts of interest)

What stands out

TensionDivisive72

high and sustained across episodes, but sometimes feels manufactured

ActingDivisive70

Niamh Algar praised as excellent; detractors call supporting cast wooden

PacingDivisive65

tight 5-episode run maintains momentum; some say final episodes rushed

AtmosphereDivisive65

tense, pressure-cooker hospital environment

Emotional impactDivisive55

addiction arc resonates; some find it lacking emotional depth

Plot and storyDivisive45

twisty but reliant on implausible coincidences and unrealistic investigation methods

CharactersDivisive40

lead compelling but many characters are clinical archetypes or cartoon villains

EndingDivisive40

resolution feels rushed and anticlimactic

Preferred by

Women vs men

Preferred by Men

Men scored it 12 points higher than women.

US vs non-US

Preferred by Non-US Viewers

Non-US viewers scored it 29 points higher than US viewers.

Episodes

2 seasons

Series 2 · 2025 · 5 episodes

  • S2E1

    Episode 1

    May 4, 2025
  • S2E2

    Episode 2

    May 5, 2025
  • S2E3

    Episode 3

    May 6, 2025
  • S2E4

    Episode 4

    May 11, 2025
  • S2E5

    Episode 5

    May 12, 2025Finale

Watch experience

What is Malpractice like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Earnest, dark and intense — a relentless watch that leaves you thinking.

ToneFeelDemandexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

What it feels like

Moods
TenseDreadMelancholic
Heaviest: middle
Register
Brooding: Heavy, inward, weather-beaten.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.SerializedAnthology seasons · 2% of shows
ToneThe series plays its high-stakes medical-ethical dilemmas completely straight, with a tense, procedural seriousness that never winks at the audience.
The rideThe series sustains high procedural tension from the first episode, with the middle seasons piling on personal stakes before a hurried resolution.
StructureEach season unfolds as a linear investigation with a beginning, middle, and end, revealing new evidence episode by episode.
Episode formatEach season tells one continuous story of investigation; episodes are chapters of a single arc.
Season formatSeason 1 follows Dr. Edwards under investigation; Season 2 introduces a new protagonist, Dr. James Ford, and a largely new cast in a separate case.

How it leaves you

what you carry away
Thought-provokingUnsettling
Why it leaves you this wayThe series leaves viewers questioning the fairness of medical investigations and the moral compromises within the healthcare system, with a lingering sense of institutional menace.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet endingTwist

Story archetype

where it sits among all shows
Monster — 18% of shows. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of shows. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 6% of shows. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 2% of shows. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 12% of shows. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 4% of shows. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 7% of shows. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 8% of shows. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 40% of showsPredator — 7% of shows. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 3% of shows. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of shows. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 3% of shows. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of shows. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of shows. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of shows. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of shows. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of shows. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of shows. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — 1% of shows. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of shows. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of shows. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of shows. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of shows. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 2% of shows. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 4% of shows. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of shows. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — under 1% of shows. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of shows. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 1% of shows. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — under 1% of shows. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of shows. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — under 1% of shows. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 2% of shows. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of shows. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of shows. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of shows. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 2% of shows. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of shows. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — under 1% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 1% of shows. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 1% of shows. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 1% of shows. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 1% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 3% of shows. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of shows. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 1% of shows. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of shows. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 6% of shows. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 1% of shows. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).Monster
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 18% (this title): Predator 7% · Tyrant 3% · Invasion 2% · Oppressive state 3% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% (this title) · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 6%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 2% · Mission 4% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage under 1%
  • Voyage 2%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 1% · Survival ordeal under 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent under 1%
  • Comedy 12%: Romantic comedy 2% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 2%
  • Tragedy 4%: Hubris 1% · Obsession under 1% · Corruption arc 1% · Doomed love 1% · Crushed by fate 1%
  • Rebirth 7%: Redemption 1% · Healing 3% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 1%
  • Mystery 8%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 6% · Enigma 1%
  • No archetype 40%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Institutional injustice: A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).

18% of shows fit this archetype

with Mystery underneath

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe series centers on doctors whose careers and lives are threatened by medical investigations that uncover systemic corruption. A covering of obscure truths is typical of the mystery structure.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 31% of showsSelf — 27% of showsPower — 7% of showsMorality — 11% of showsSurvival — 9% of showsSociety — 10% of showsIdeas — 5% of showsRomantic love — 10% of showsMarriage — 2% of showsFamily bonds — 22% of showsParenthood — 1% of showsFriendship — 18% of showsLoyalty — 7% of showsIdentity — 20% of showsComing of age — 9% of showsAging — under 1% of showsSelf-worth — 7% of showsAmbition — 14% of showsPurpose — 16% of showsMemory — 3% of showsObsession — 2% of shows. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 5% of showsCorruption — 3% of showsGreed — 2% of showsClass — 4% of showsOppression — 2% of showsFreedom — 4% of showsJustice — 14% of showsDuty — 2% of showsRevenge — 1% of showsGuilt — 1% of showsRedemption — 3% of shows. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — under 1% of showsSacrifice — 2% of showsBetrayal — 3% of showsDeception — 6% of showsSurvival — 12% of showsWar — 1% of showsViolence — 2% of showsMortality — 2% of showsGrief — 4% of showsTrauma — 5% of showsMental illness — under 1% of showsAddiction — under 1% of showsIllness and disability — under 1% of showsCommunity — 25% of shows. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 3% of showsPrejudice — 2% of showsDisplacement — 1% of showsFaith — 1% of showsTradition vs change — 3% of showsFame — 5% of showsLegacy — 3% of showsFate — 1% of showsFree will — under 1% of showsTruth — 6% of showsHope — 4% of showsNature — 3% of showsArt — 2% of showsTechnology — 1% of showsSelfJusticeMorality
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 31%: Romantic love 10% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 22% · Parenthood 1% · Friendship 18% · Loyalty 7%
  • Self 27%: Identity 20% · Coming of age 9% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 14% · Purpose 16% · Memory 3% · Obsession 2%
  • Power 7%: Power 5% · Corruption 3% · Greed 2% · Class 4% · Oppression 2% · Freedom 4%
  • Morality 11% (this title): Justice 14% (this title) · Duty 2% · Revenge 1% · Guilt 1% · Redemption 3% · Forgiveness under 1% · Sacrifice 2% · Betrayal 3% · Deception 6%
  • Survival 9%: Survival 12% · War 1% · Violence 2% · Mortality 2% · Grief 4% · Trauma 5% (this title) · Mental illness under 1% · Addiction under 1% (this title) · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 10%: Community 25% · Isolation 3% · Prejudice 2% · Displacement 1% · Faith 1% · Tradition vs change 3% · Fame 5% · Legacy 3%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 6% · Hope 4% · Nature 3% · Art 2% · Technology 1%

Morality

Justice · 14% of showsTrauma · 5% of showsAddiction · under 1% of shows
Interrogates its theme: Questions its theme without settling the answer.Community stakes: Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe series interrogates whether doctors are fairly judged for split-second decisions under extreme pressure and how the system processes accountability.
StanceThe series questions whether the NHS's accountability process produces justice, presenting the system as opaque and punishing without celebrating or fully condemning it.

The world

ContemporaryInstitutionalUrbanRealistic
Orchestral modernElectronicSupportive music · original score
SettingNHS hospital wards and medical investigation tribunals in contemporary London
MusicThe score underlines the procedural tension with electronic pulses in interview scenes.

Content guide

Is Malpractice okay for kids?

As of August 19, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at mild (33/100), sexual content at minimal (0/100), language at intense (73/100), drug and alcohol content at severe (100/100) and frightening material at intense (67/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 2 other countries
  • UK15
  • Ireland15
Overall
Intense · all five categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Sex & Nudity
None / Minimal
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (5 votes)
Alcohol & Drugs
Severe
too few votes to rank (4 votes)
Frightening / Intense
Intense
too few votes to rank (3 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (16 votes across 5 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other shows that have them.

What content warnings does Malpractice have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Malpractice?

Cast

2 of the 10 billed cast had never appeared on screen; 1 of the cast already had the standing of a top-10% working actor.

Helen Behan
as Dr. Norma Callahan
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Jordan Kouamé
as Dr. George Adjei
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Adei Bundy
as Kathy Miller
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Niamh Algar
as Dr. Lucinda Edwards
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
James Purefoy
as Dr. Leo Harris
Established: A standing when this show came out that a top-10% working actor has today.Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Tom Hughes
as Dr. James Ford
Top draw: One of the 3 biggest draws in this cast: billing here weighted by career star power.
Selin Hizli
as Dr. Sophia Hernandez
Newcomer: A standing when this show came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Zoe Telford
as Dr. Kate McAllister
Lorne MacFadyen
as Tom Edwards
Hannah Walters
as Matron Beth Relph

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