Quacks (BBC-2 2017, Rory Kinnear, Mathew Baynton)

Raucous medical comedy Quacks is set in Victorian London and is about four pioneers, friends and rivals – fighting to make a mark on the world and save lives. Starring Rory Kinnear, Mathew Baynton, Tom Basden, Lydia Leonard and Rupert Everett.

The 1840s: a time when doctors were just as likely to kill their patients as cure them, when the medicine that we take for granted today was in its infancy, and when doctors experimented on themselves and each other. It’s an era when dentists numbed the pain with brandy, the insane were chained up, and the operating theatre was full of spectacle and showmanship where people would come to watch a surgeon beat his amputation speed record.

Robert (Rory Kinnear) is an extraordinary, ambitious showman surgeon who can take a leg off in 92 seconds. William (Mathew Baynton) is a nervous, kind psychiatrist (then called alienist) looking to transform mental care. John (Tom Basden) is a wild, hedonistic, dentist turned anaesthetist.

Caroline (Lydia Leonard) is the headstrong, intelligent wife of Robert, who is determined to fight against the male prejudices and patriarchy of Victorian society to realise her own medical ambition. Finally, there’s Dr Hendrick (Rupert Everett) – the President of the hospital and Physician to Royalty. He hates innovation and young people. And women. And patients.

cast
Tom Basden as John
Mathew Baynton as William
Rory Kinnear as Robert
Lydia Leonard as Caroline
Ed Gaughan as Peters
Geoffrey McGivern as Landlord
Rupert Everett as Dr. Hendrick
Lisa Jackson as Mina

key behind the scenes crew
James Wood as Creator

show type
Period sitcom

broadcast from
2017

network and production companies
BBC Two – Lucky Giant

country
UK