Mistresses (British TV series)

Mistresses is a British drama series about four female friends navigating a series of secretive and complicated romantic entanglements. The show was created by S. J. Clarkson, based on an original idea by Lowri Glain and Rachel Anthony, and was produced by Ecosse Films for BBC Drama, Wales, with filming taking place in and around Bath. It ran for three series on BBC One, broadcast between 2008 and 2010.

The main characters include Katie Roden, a GP played by Sarah Parish. In the first series, she has an affair with a terminally ill patient, John Grey, and later helps him die by physician-assisted suicide. After his death, his son Sam discovers evidence of this, and unaware of Katie’s role, confides in her; they begin a reluctant relationship. Eventually, Katie confesses, and Sam informs his mother and the authorities, leading to Katie’s suspension from work for a year. In series two, Katie takes a junior hospital post and reconnects with an old medical school lover, Jack Hudson, who is now married but still has feelings for her. She also begins a relationship with Jack’s friend, surgeon Dan Tate. Jack acts on his feelings, and they have a brief affair, which Katie ends, but Dan witnesses a final kiss and moves to Australia. Katie leaves him a note apologizing, and he asks her to join him. In series three, Katie’s father is a significant figure, and their relationship is strained. Katie learns that her deceased father had a mistress, which softens her toward him. She also grows close to Trudi’s partner, Richard, sharing a kiss and leaning on each other during hard times, but rejects a relationship with him. Richard is killed in a car accident on his way to meet Katie, and Trudi, believing they were having an affair, ends their friendship.

Trudi Malloy (Sharon Small) is a 9/11 widow and mother of two who believes her husband Paul is still alive. In the first series, she receives a £1 million bereavement cheque and begins seeing Richard, a single father. A woman named Sally contacts Trudi, claiming she was Paul’s lover and has his son. Trudi splits the money with her, but then discovers Paul is alive—he was presumed dead in the 9/11 attacks but actually survived and started a new life with another woman. She reports him and returns the money. In series two, Richard and his daughter move in with Trudi. She wants to marry him, but he is hesitant.