Doctor Foster series 3: Why Jodie Comer's character Kate Parks won't be returning to BBC One thriller
The original two series – which aired in 2015 and 2017 – were a HUGE hit and Jodie was a big part of that
Doctor Foster fans (us and millions of others) were thrilled this week when BBC One finally confirmed the revenge thriller would be back for a long-awaited series 3 – but sadly Jodie Comer won’t be returning.
The popular actress portrayed the crucial character of Kate Parks in series 1 and 2, between 2015 and 2017. And many consider it to be her first huge primetime role.
Let’s just say, she hasn’t looked back since the climactic events of Doctor Foster series 2. Of course, Jodie went on to portray the iconic role of Villanelle in Killing Eve, and has since won leading roles in Hollywood films such as The Bikeriders, and 28 Years Later.
To say she’s ‘made it’ is an understatement. Just look at her long list of award wins and nominations at the BAFTAs, Emmys, and Golden Globes…
But her global success isn’t the reason Jodie Comer won’t be back in Doctor Foster series 3… Here’s the real reason.
Is Jodie Comer in Doctor Foster series 3?
This week, BBC One finally confirmed that the thriller Doctor Foster will be back in 2026 for a series 3. The news is bittersweet, though, as it will be the final ever series.
Fans of the original two series will know that the drama was a HUGE hit. Showcasing the best of the lead cast, including Suranne Jones, Bertie Carvel, Jodie Comer, Victoria Hamilton, and Adam James.
Now, after a nine year absence, Suranne and her co-stars are set to start filming a much-anticipated series 3 of Doctor Foster. But not everyone is returning, and Jodie Comer’s character will certainly be missed.
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Doctor Foster series 3 will see the return of Suranne Jones as Gemma Foster, Bertie Carvel as Simon Foster, and Tom Taylor as their son Tom. But Jodie Comer is not coming back.
Why isn’t she returning?
Although Doctor Foster fans would love to see Jodie Comer back on our screens as Kate Parks, they’ll be left disappointed.
This is partly a result of Jodie’s busy schedule. In 2026, she’s playing Flavia in new TV series Big Swiss, The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde. She’s also set to appear in the Hugh Jackman movie The Death of Robin Hood.
But there’s another reason why Jodie Comer won’t be back in Doctor Foster series 3. Quite simply, her character’s storyline had come to an emotional conclusion…
Who did Jodie Comer play?
In Doctor Foster, Jodie Comer played Kate Parks. Viewers first met her as the 23-year-old daughter of Gemma and Simon Foster’s family friends. But in explosive scenes, Gemma discovered that Kate was actually her husband’s mistress, too. The affair kicked off Gemma’s need for revenge, a thread throughout series 1 and 2.
Kate eventually became pregnant with Simon’s child, leaving Gemma distraught and furious. After a two-year affair, Kate subsequently married Simon in Doctor Foster series 2. However, it was always a morally difficult situation. After all, Simon had been much older than Kate, and some even believed their relationship was one of groomer and victim. After all, Kate had a baby and was married at the age of 25 to a much older man.
Ultimately, their relationship wasn’t built to last either, though. Gemma made it her mission to expose Simon’s lies and unveil him as the [bleep] he really was. And she did that with aplomb.
What happened to Jodie Comer’s character at the end of Doctor Foster series 2?
Kate subsequently left Simon, taking their daughter Amelie to France to start a new life.
In a punch the air moment for viewers, Kate finally realised Simon was “slimy” and hadn’t changed. She told him their marriage was over, and took their child to France to escape the chaos. She left Simon with nothing.
Jodie Comer’s character did not return for the spin-off series Life, either, as her character’s storyline was concluded.
Read more: First look as Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie return in Vigil series 3
