The writer of Doctor Foster has hinted that the current series of the show could have such a shock ending that a third series may not be possible.

The second series of the BBC One drama ends next week following weeks of tension between Gemma Foster and her ex-husband Simon.

The show’s writer, Mike Bartlett, refused to reveal any spoilers, but said a “third (series) might not be possible”.

Suranne Jones in the title role (PA/BBC/Drama Republic/Nick Briggs)

He told Radio Times magazine: “Depending on what happens at the end of series two, a third might not be possible. That’s all I can say really.”

Actress Suranne Jones returned to the title role of Dr Gemma Foster for the second series, alongside Bertie Carvel as her estranged husband and Tom Taylor as their son Tom.

Viewers have seen Gemma’s life destabilised when Simon returns to their home town with Kate (the woman he left her for, played by Jodie Comer) and their child.

Suranne Jones and Bertie Carvel (PA/BBC/Drama Republic/Laurence Cendrowicz)

Since the first series of the popular drama in 2015, Jones has won a TV Bafta and a National Television Award for her performance.

Bartlett also wrote King Charles III, the BBC Two drama based on the West End play of the same name, which made headlines over a scene that featured the ghost of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Talking about Doctor Foster and initially drawing on ancient Greek tragedy Medea as the inspiration for Gemma as a character, Bartlett said he did not think of her as “mad”.

The original production of Medea was penned by Greek playwright Euripides and chronicles a wife’s revenge on her unfaithful husband.

Olivier Awards 2015 – London
Mike Bartlett with the Olivier Award for Best New Play (Ian West/PA Wire)

“I wanted to take some of those misogynist ideas about mad women and witches, and hopefully subvert them,” Bartlett told Radio Times.

“I get upset when people describe Gemma as mad. I don’t think she is, she’s just very angry.

“If it was a man behaving like that, you wouldn’t say he was mad. You’d say he was fighting back.”

Read the full interview in this week’s Radio Times