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Niamh Algar in Malpractice© ITV

Fans have mixed reaction to 'predictable' ending of Malpractice

The ITV drama stars Niamh Algar in the leading role

Francesca Shillcock
Senior Features Writer
May 21, 2023
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ITV's brand-new drama, Malpractice, has gripped viewers in recent weeks. Although the medical thriller, which stars Niamh Algar as main character Dr. Lucina Edwards, has been airing on Sunday evenings for the past five weeks, series one in its entirety has been available on ITVX for viewers to binge at their leisure.

It seems the fifth episode, which aired on Sunday on ITV1 at 9pm, sparked a mixed reaction from those watching at home. While many were thrilled with the ending and made comparisons  to Line of Duty, others weren't sure, branding it "predictable." Warning! Spoilers ahead…

WATCH: The official trailer for Malpractice on ITV

One person summarised on Twitter: "A good leading performance but it felt like a total slog to get through for me. And that ending was very predictable. #Malpractice." A second echoed this sentiment, writing: "Next time, on #Malpractice, Lucinda is abducted by the Life of Brian aliens. Sorry but from the disappearing gunman to the highly improbable ending."

A third was equally aghast, tweeting: "So does the open ending of #Malpractice mean there's another series or do we have to imagine what happened for ourselves?"

MORE: Grantchester star reveals future of ITV drama ahead of season eight premiere 

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Dr Lucina Edwards in episode five of Malpractice© ITV
Dr Lucina Edwards in episode five of Malpractice

However, it wasn't all bad news because others were big fans of how the thriller left the plot. "Absolutely loved ITV's #malpractice Best series I've watched in a long time. Really well written. Won’t give any spoilers but can’t wait to hear what others made of the ending," wrote one fan.

Another said: "I enjoyed #Malpractice - Classic #LineofDuty style ending..." as a third added: "Well, Malpractice was a bit good, wasn't it?! @NiamhAlgar absolute top tier actor!"

The cast of Malpractice© ITV
The cast of Malpractice

What happened to Lucinda at the end of Malpractice?

The synopsis for the fifth and final episode reads: "Lucinda's search for the truth becomes dangerous and she needs help, telling George about the lengths she has gone to so far. Norma isn't impressed but reluctantly agrees to help if she drops her investigation. Lucinda continues her hunt for answers, but as things finally fall into place, she must find out who is."

As fans know, the medical drama was created by a former NHS doctor, Grace Ofori-Attah, and tells the story of Dr. Lucinda Edwards who is investigated after her patient Edith Owusu dies of an overdose.

Niamh Algar plays the leading role© ITV
Niamh Algar plays the leading role

Over the episodes, viewers saw Lucinda fight for her innocence and try to prove she had been framed. The medic would record pharmacy owners and engage in more tactics to gather evidence that she was not to blame for the patient's death.

Things got complicated when she began to uncover a wider conspiracy that was taking place at the hospital to do with prescription drugs. After a confrontation with the pharmacist, Jubair, she was injected with oxycodone with the intent to kill her. Fortunately, Lucina was found and recovered in hospital but the ending was left open.

Although viewers saw Lucina attend the tribunal to find out the fate of her career following the misconduct investigation, the end result was not revealed, leaving the possibility of a season two in the balance.

Dr Lucinda Edwards is held back in episode five© ITV
Did you enjoy Malpractice?
Helen Behan and Niamh Algar in Malpractice
Helen Behan and Niamh Algar in Malpractice
NIAMH ALGAR as Dr Lucinda Edwards© ITV
NIAMH ALGAR as Dr Lucinda Edwards
Niamh Algar as Dr Lucinda Edwards in Malpractice© ITV
Niamh Algar as Dr Lucinda Edwards in Malpractice
Niamh Algar as Dr Lucinda Edwards in Malpractice
© ITV
The drama wrapped on Sunday evening

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