The Royal Season Six Episode One

UK | ITV1 Network | Sunday 25 March 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Dr Jeff Goodwin (Paul Fox) is a long way from home having swapped the comfort of The Royal for a Biafran field hospital in Africa. As he works closely with Dr Therese Duval (Laurie Hagen) to save lives, the conditions are a far cry from those he’s used to. With no antibiotics and a lack of medical supplies, their job seems impossible at times, causing Goodwin to become increasingly angry and upset about the devastation around him.

Despite all the tragedy and massacre, Goodwin and Duval have grown close and a possible romance blossoms. However, as they are about to kiss, suddenly warning shouts are heard from the field hospital. They rush back to help Alele, a seriously injured woman and her young daughter Nkeshi (Reni Oluwadare). Despite all his best work, the lack of essential supplies and morphine means Goodwin is unable to save Alele. Before she died, Alele made Goodwin promise to look after Nkeshi and keep her safe. Due to return home to England, how will Jeff keep his promise?

Back in Elinsby, Makori’s (Kananu Kirimi) first patient of the day, Mr Heaton (Trevor Peacock), has a large lump on his shoulder which gives Makori cause for concern. The following day, after consultation, Surgeon Mr Rose (Denis Lill) decides to operate, but will the lump be malignant as Makori expects, or is it something else?

In another part of the hospital, Matron (Wendy Craig) has noticed that Nurse Catherine Deane (Amelia Curtis) is doing everything she can to avoid the Hospital Administrator, Adam Carnegie (Robert Cavanah). Carnegie, however, is more concerned with the lack of doctors after being informed that the new locum has been offered a partnership at a different practice and won’t be turning up.

Elsewhere, Dr Ormerod (Robert Daws) visits the home of Marie Beattie (Rachel Leskovac) and her four children. In the small cramped front room of the Beattie’s house, Ormerod examines young Alfie. With Marie having discontinued Alfie’s medication, the severity of the Impetigo has increased. Believing her son was better, has Marie ultimately put his life in danger?

Later that day, Dr Jill Weatherill (Amy Robbins) brings in baby Jonathan (Joseph Lamb) to be weighed. As Sister Brigid (Linda Armstrong) looks after Jonathan, Matron and Weatherill leave to discuss the staffing problems. After finding out the hospital is managing on only two doctors, Weatherill decides to talk to Gordon about returning to work early. How will Ormerod feel about his wife cutting short her maternity leave?