SeriesFest 8 Event Spotlight: AMC’s ‘This Is Going to Hurt’ Screening

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Everywhere you look these days, there is some kind of ‘based upon a true story’ series popping up on television. The kind that tends to focus squarely on grave crimes that have been committed in recent years or spotlight a powerful moment in recent history. The kind that turned heads and had us buzzing well before the internet was a thing, and it makes sense as to why these are suddenly so popular. Because the demand for television is at an all-time high, as is our love of watching actors transform into people from history. Allowing for these shows to thrive at the moment. But while it is nice to know that history is indeed being documented consistently, the heavy push toward making those types of stories a primary focus of television… does leave something to be desired.
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After all, there are more true stories about our world out there. The kind that teaches us different aspects about our world and the human experience, and the good news is… a refreshing and downright powerful show in that vein is about to make its debut on AMC+, entitled, This Is Going to Hurt. Which is a series that chronicles a corner of our world few have ever explored before and well… it just so happens that this series enjoyed a special screening at SeriesFest 8 on May 7, 2022… and we here at NTG thought it would be worthwhile to speak a little bit about this series and what separates it from the ‘true story’ pack… and talk about how special this screening turned out to be. 

With that in mind, let’s talk about the plot and its sheer uniqueness. For this is a story that is based off writer Adam Kay’s memoir, which shares the namesake of the show, and in this series, Adam brings to life a re-telling of his time as a doctor in a maternity ward. Which is without a doubt, a fresh and original story that we really haven’t seen on the television landscape all that often, and thanks to Adam’s involvement with the series as a writer and Ben Whishaw’s incredible performance as the small screen version of Adam… we are treated to one powerful tale. One that showcases every aspect of working in this sector of the medical field in a powerfully intimate manner.

Which is, suffice to say, all that we are going to say about the plot. For the details are reserved for our upcoming recaps of the show and because we simply don’t want to spoil it ahead of time. Instead, it’s best this writer informs you of the fact, that it is powerful and moving and eye-opening for certain, and the realism of this series makes sense when one can hear how passionate its writer is about retelling this chapter of his life, which we were able to experience. For Adam Kay was on hand to discuss the crafting of the series after the screening, and he gladly informed an eager audience about his motivations to keep this series so intimate and so raw and real, and how the important moments in the series premiere came together, and it was just incredible to get that first-hand knowledge and be present for quite the interactive surprise.

For as an added bonus, copies of Adam’s book were hidden around the theater for people to find, and later have signed, and it was just amazing to see that kind of gift come forth at an event where such generosity wasn’t a requirement. But it happened and it spread infinite joy and this writer also needs to offer up thanks to AMC Networks and Adam for making that happen, and to SeriesFest for letting all of us enjoy this refreshing and powerful show. Because this kind of true story series is more of what the world needs right now, to really experience the wonder of the human condition and hosting this kind of story at SeriesFest also speaks to how much SeriesFest believes in celebrating the best parts of television and well, we here at NTG cannot wait for all of you to experience this series and its majesty when it debuts on AMC+ on June 2, 2022.

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