ITV has commissioned Breathless, a new six-part drama set in 60s London. Produced by ITV Studios, it follows a group of doctors and nurses in a London hospital and stars Jack Davenport as the charismatic surgeon.

Co-created and written by Paul Unwin, the drama uncovers the lies, deceptions and guilty secrets of the staff working in and around a busy Gynaecology unit. At the centre of the story is Otto Powell (Jack Davenport), who passionately believes he can make a difference to women”s lives; even if it means risking imprisonment under the strict abortion laws of 1961.

The series was commissioned for ITV by acting director of drama commissioning Steve November and is produced by Jolyon Symonds (Thorne, Complicit). ITV Studios Kate Bartlett will executive produce the series with Paul Unwin, who is also directing the first two episodes.

Kate Bartlett said: “Breathless is an exhilarating and charismatic character drama, set against a glamorous London backdrop. The medical stories and events are there to illuminate and complicate the lives of our key characters and 1961 is a fascinating time in which to explore the changing role of women in society.”

Breathless is set to go into production in April and will be filmed on location in London.

Further information on Breathless can be found on Production Intelligence, the online database of advance productions from The Knowledge: