Joanne Froggatt leads the cast of the latest ITV drama Breathtaking which will concern NHS staff during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The three-part series will follow Dr Abbey Henderson (Froggatt) as her big city hospital has to cope with the escalating effects of the virus.

The series is based off the memoirs of Dr Rachel Clarke who has helped develop the programme along with Line of Duty creator Jed Mercurio, from Nelson.

Discussing appearing in the series to the Radio Times Froggatt said: "I feel truly honoured to be playing Dr Abbey Henderson in Breathtaking, based on Dr Rachel Clarke’s beautifully written, poignant and shocking book of the same name."

She continued: "When I first read the incredible scripts, they moved me to tears on many occasions. I felt so passionately that I had to be a part of telling this story, the real story, of what was really happening behind the closed doors of the hospitals during the pandemic.

"Our NHS staff are nothing less than absolute heroes in my eyes, and I hope telling this story goes a little way towards us understanding their truth, their lived experience, and honouring their unbelievable commitment and sacrifice on behalf of us all."

The show will follow her character's daily work while weaving together the stories of her fellow doctors, nurses, patients and paramedics.

ITV's Breathtaking full cast

  • Joanne Froggatt as Dr Abbey Henderson
  • Bhav Joshi as Dr Ant Vyas
  • Donna Banya as Emma Mutamba Irungu
  • Joseph Charles as Archie Williams
  • Stephanie Street as Dr Joanne Alba
  • Thom Petty as Dr Neil Westland
  • Naomi Denny as Chantelle Gregory

  • Afro Parise as Dr Rossi
  • Philip Arditti as Dr Metin Ozkul
  • Tamer Doghem as Yussuf Ahmad
  • Lucy Montgomery as Clare Boxall
  • Stacey Gregg as HCA June
  • Roxanne Scrimshaw as Mrs Ahmad
  • George Georgiou as Dr Huw Shelby
  • Georgia Goodman as Divina Aquino

Recommended reading:

  • Christopher Hatherall as Nick Henderson
  • Henry Meredith as Tommy Henderson
  • Eleanore-Beatriz Viveiros as Robyn Henderson
  • Mark Dexter as Dr Mike Prentiss
  • Tammy Heath as Alison Frampton
  • Mary Woodvine as Cressida Frost

When will ITV's Breathtaking be on TV?

The first episode of Breathtaking will air on ITV1 at 9pm on Monday, February 19.

Following that the remaining two episodes will air in the same timeslot on the following two days on Tuesday, February 20 and Wednesday, February 21.