When Dr Nicky Somerville's life in the city falls apart, she moves to the small town of Bassett (population 5058 and growing). She thinks the pace will be slower and things more simple. But she learns that life can be complex wherever you are. Mercy Peak is home to a cast of colourful, quirky and, above all, complex characters: William, the tenacious head doctor; his son, Alistair, living in the shadow of his father; Louise, the calm centre of the hospital whose personal life is a mess; and Ken, the amiable cop with a penchant for sci-fi and no luck in love. Their stories are the heart of the show: their triumphs, their failings, their foibles and, above all, their passions. And Nicky finds romance - first with social worker Cliff Tairoa, then with the all-too-attached vintner Kieran Masefield.