10 Perfect Medical Dramas To Watch After ‘The Pitt’

There truly isn’t another medical drama quite like The Pitt. The highly decorated and acclaimed HBO Max series, created by R. Scott Gemmill, follows the doctors, nurses, and staff at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center’s emergency room. Capturing the action within a singular shift, The Pitt has become the most immersive and unique show to capture the medical world so vividly. Starring Noah Wyle alongside a brilliant ensemble, The Pitt has already cemented itself as one of the most important series of the 21st century.

If you’ve finished your shift binging The Pitt, and you’re eager for more medical television, fortunately, the genre has boasted an array of exceptional titles throughout television history. From a long-running Wyle masterpiece to an ABC medical wonder still going strong today, these ten shows may not have the same setup as The Pitt, but their strong storytelling and character-driven narratives will certainly fill the void until the next shift at PTMC begins.

1

‘Brilliant Minds’ (2024–Present)

Image via NBC

Nowadays, audiences don’t care for straightforward stories. They want some intrigue and complexity in the characters they watch. It’s one thing to be brilliant. It’s another thing to be brilliant and have to battle something extraordinary that can hinder said brilliance. That’s the basic premise of Brilliant Minds. Created by Michael Grassi and inspired by the Oliver Sacks books The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat and An Anthropologist on Mars, Zachary Quinto stars as Dr. Oliver Wolf, an eccentric, genius neurologist with facial blindness, better known as propagnosia, as he works with interns at Bronx General Hospital to solve complex, often forgotten, psychological and neurological cases. Though he may sometimes use unconventional and unpredictable methods to fully connect with his patients, Dr. Wolf remains committed to ensuring his patients receive the appropriate and effective care they need while finding meaning in their unique conditions. Brilliant Minds serves as a unique exploration into neurodiversity, destigmatizing mental health issues, and advocating for patient-centered care through the guise of strong storytelling.

While The Pitt does a remarkable job of balancing the personal and psychological effects the job has on staff, Brilliant Minds allows a patient-forward approach to neurology. Rather than solving a puzzle, Brilliant Mind’s human interest behind the diagnosis helps society view mental health. A major factor in the series’ appeal is Quinto’s strong take on Dr. Wolf. Prioritizing empathy through a warmer, more confident tone while tapping into the character’s personal vulnerability yields a compelling performance. Brilliant Minds is a tear-jerker because it lets you feel the patients’ experiences. Though Brilliant Minds may feel similar to other medical procedurals, Brilliant Minds distinctly stands on its own for its bravery in mental health.

2

‘Chicago Hope’ (1994–2000)

Image via CBS

One of the geniuses of television is none other than David E. Kelley. The man behind so many extraordinary television dramas, perhaps his greatest in the medical genre, is the irresistible Chicago Hope. For six seasons, the series centers on the high-stakes personal and professional lives of surgeons at a prestigious private, charitable hospital in Chicago. Chicago Hope follows the brilliant, often eccentric doctors, including Dr. Jeffrey Geiger (Mandy Patinkin) and Dr. Aaron Shutt (Adam Arkin), as they navigate ethically complex, sensational cases and clash with the administration. Balancing the nighttime soap drama with high-stakes medical situations, Chicago Hope was CBS’s rival to NBC’s epic series, which also took place in the Windy City.

One of the true tests of a masterpiece medical drama is the brilliance of an ensemble. Like many other series on this list, Chicago Hope thrived thanks to its stellar cast, which also included Hector Elizondo, Thomas Gibson, Peter MacNichol, Mark Harmon, and Christine Lahti. Through having a strong ensemble, Chicago Hope elevated the sensational writing and groundbreaking content. The sharp, intellectually rigorous script that balanced the multiple plotlines made the series one of the greatest dramas of the decade. Though it didn’t receive the same Emmy glory as its NBC rival, Chicago Hope will forever be recognized as one of the genre’s greats.

3

‘ER’ (1994–2009)

Image via NBC

And now to that NBC rival. No medical drama was quite as notorious as ER. Debuting in 1994, ER was created by Michael Crichton and set in the emergency room of Cook County General Hospital in Chicago. The 15-season series told the stories of the staff’s lives, high-pressure jobs, and personal drama in the emergency room at the fictional hospital. Each episode tackled the complex, often life-and-death, patient cases alongside the intense professional challenges and relationships of the doctors and nurses. Serving as a launchpad for many major stars, including George Clooney, ER was revered for its revolutionary, fast-paced, and gritty realism that pioneered the genre of medical series that followed.

ER became an instant game-changer in so many realms. First, as far as storytelling is concerned, instead of relying on the formulaic case-of-the-week format, ER focused on the long-term personal and professional lives of its staff, allowing viewers to grow with characters like Dr. Mark Greene (Anthony Edwards) and Dr. John Carter (Wyle) over many seasons. Because there were such high stakes attached to the individuals, there was reason to invest in the characters and their journeys. Over the course of its run, ER welcomed a top-tier ensemble including Julianna Margulies, Alex Kingston, Maura Tierney, and Linda Cardellini, among others. Now, to the cinematography. To capture the pulse-pounding kinetic energy of ER action, a Steadicam aesthetic was used, dropping viewers straight into the action. ER had emotional and ethical depth that provided the right recipe to ensure a legacy beyond its run.

4

‘Grey’s Anatomy’ (2005–Present)

There is a large faction of individuals who will say, “That’s still on?” to which die-hard Grey’s Anatomy fans will proudly say, “Yes.” Since debuting in 2006, Grey’s Anatomy has been a cornerstone of ABC. The reason being Shonda Rhimes and her vision. Set at Seattle Grace Hospital, the long-running series follows the interns, residents, and attendings who balance demanding medical careers with their high-stakes, emotional, and often romantic lives. Striking the perfect balance of medical drama with complex personal relationships, Grey’s Anatomy swiftly turned into appointment television simply because anything can and will happen at Seattle Grace. Though the focus may have been on Ellen Pompeo‘s Meredith Grey, the wide-spanning ensemble, which has featured Sandra Oh, Katherine Heigl, Patrick Dempsey, Chandra Wilson, Kate Walsh, Eric Dane, among others, has kept the series going with no signs of stopping.

While Grey’s Anatomy balanced the case-of-the-week format with long-running storylines, the series’ longevity is thanks to its willingness to explore accessible themes viewers could connect with. By exploring bold stories and navigating anything, Seattle Grace was where some of the most shocking disasters occurred. From a mass-casualty plane crash to a hospital shooting, Grey’s Anatomy was more than a medical drama. The hospital setting slowly just happened to serve as the backdrop for formative growth. From a bomb-in-a-chest encounter to a devastating car crash, if the scenario crossed the minds inside the writers’ room, it made its way to the screen. Still going strong with no signs of slowing down, Grey’s Anatomy has shaped an entire generation of television.

5

‘House’ (2004–2012)

Image via FOX

Sometimes, all it takes is a brilliant character to carry a show to its greatest glory. That’s exactly what Hugh Laurie did with Dr. Gregory House. Created by David Shore for Fox, House revolves around the titular character, a brilliant but misanthropic, cynical, and pain-medication-addicted diagnostician who leads a team at Princeton–Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. He solves unsolvable, rare medical puzzles using unconventional methods, often clashing with staff and defying hospital rules while dealing with his own chronic pain and personal demons. A complex character who delivered the series’ entertainment factor, House served as the Sherlock Holmes of medical dramas.

House is all about Laurie. A prolific actor in his own right, the character he crafts is easily his strongest. He’s an antihero in his own right. You simply cannot deny his brilliance, even if his means are occasionally uncouth and flawed. From there, it’s about the relationships House has. Whether it’s through his boss, Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein), or his only true friend, Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), these dynamics kept the series engaging. House is more than a medical drama; it’s a medical whodunnit. If dark humor is your speed, House satisfies.

6

‘Nurse Jackie’ (2009–2015)

Image via Showtime

After establishing a brilliant character on The Sopranos, the only way to follow that up is through another sensational character. That’s exactly what Edie Falco did on Nurse Jackie. The Showtime original series follows Jackie Peyton (Falco), a brilliant but deeply addicted emergency room nurse at New York City’s All Saints Hospital. As Jackie navigates chaotic medical cases, she has battles of her own: a severe addiction to painkillers, managing a secret affair with a pharmacist for drugs, and hiding her spiraling life from her husband, children, and colleagues. The comedy-drama ran for seven triumphant seasons as Jackie’s arc and descent into ruin were deeply raw and profound. A morally grey woman, Nurse Jackie was unafraid to showcase the ugliest, most disruptive consequences of drug addiction.

Nurse Jackie is another series that celebrates amazing character development, centered around Jackie. Her interactions with her naive protégé, Zoey Barkow (Merritt Wever), hard-line administrator Gloria Akalitus (Anna Deavere Smith), and her friend, cardiologist Dr. Eleanor O’Hara (Eve Best), are among the best of the run. Riding the wave of strong anti-hero stories, Nurse Jackie’s ability to introduce a complex, unflinching protagonist who is deeply flawed yet wonderfully dedicated professional helped set the series apart from the other medical dramas. Often, we watch characters grow from pilot to the series finale. Nurse Jackie maintained authenticity by not mincing reality and by not sugarcoating her end. Jackie’s lies and addiction damage her relationships, leading to lost friendships and endangering her career, which is left in ruin. It’s fitting that Falco should find herself with another historic, vague ending open to interpretation. ​​​​​​​

7

‘St. Elsewhere’ (1978–1988)

Image via NBC

In retrospect, St. Elsewhere will forever be fondly remembered for its shocking finale twist. A twist very few some coming. But upon seeing that snow globe, those loyal fans who went on the six-season run found it fitting. Created by Joshua Brand and John Falsey, the beloved NBC series was set at St. Eligius, a rundown, underfunded teaching hospital in Boston, where a team of doctors, including Dr. Donald Westphall (Ed Flanders), Dr. Daniel Auschlander (Norman Lloyd), and Dr. Mark Craig (William Daniels), give interns a promising future in making critical medical and life decisions. Called the medical version of Hill Street Blues, St. Elsewhere pushed the bounds with difficult contemporary and taboo topics, including AIDS, addiction, and terminal illness.

St. Elsewhere was praised for its incredible storytelling ability, focusing on a multi-episode serial-style narrative. Rather than focusing solely on medicine, St. Elsewhere, like The Pitt, integrated discussions of the institutional struggles doctors face as they attempt to teach their interns and save their patients’ lives. Beyond the gritty realism was a sensational ensemble drama, which featured a brilliant cast including Howie Mandel, Ed Begley Jr., and the Denzel Washington. Now, to the finale. The controversial ending revealed that the entire series existed in the imagination of Tommy Westphall (Chad Allen), an autistic child. It was a bold conclusion, but if it did anything profound for television, it proved that future audiences crave shocking moments, warranted or not.

8

‘The Good Doctor’ (2017–2024)

Image via ABC

Even with Grey’s Anatomy dominating the medical drama slot on ABC, there was still room for a great series. That show was The Good Doctor. Based on the 2013 South Korean series of the same name, The Good Doctor follows Shaun Murphy (Freddie Highmore), a young surgeon with autism and savant syndrome who relocates to the prestigious San Jose St. Bonaventure Hospital. Mentored by Dr. Aaron Glassman (Richard Schiff), Shaun overcomes skepticism regarding his social communication skills by using his extraordinary medical insights to save lives. A triumphant and inspiring series, The Good Doctor‘s seven-season run was thanks in part to its heartfelt, sentimental stories that focus on human connection, overcoming challenges, and celebrating personal and professional growth.

Though The Good Doctor did focus on the cases, the major draw was the way it highlighted Shaun’s autism and how it allowed him to see medical details, patterns, and solutions that others missed. A brilliant show that celebrated the visibility of individuals on the autism spectrum, The Good Doctor sparked important conversations about neurodiversity in the workplace, aiming to humanize and challenge misconceptions. Shaun’s relationships were among the gifts viewers received for following through to the end. His dynamics with Claire Browne (Antonia Thomas) and Lea Dilallo (Paige Spara), who he eventually marries, bridge Shaun’s stories. The Good Doctor brought a unique perspective to medicine, expanding the type of medical drama that would follow.

9

‘The Knick’ (2014–2015)

Image via Cinemax

We often think about medical dramas as modern stories, but medicine has been around, well, forever! It’s about time we discussed a period medical drama, and what better title than The Knick? Created by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler and directed by Steven Soderbergh for Cinemax, The Knick follows Dr. John W. Thackery (Clive Owen), a brilliant but cocaine-addicted surgeon, and the staff at a fictionalized version of the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City during the early 20th century. Dr. Thackery pioneers new methods of medicine amidst high mortality rates, rampant racism, and deep financial struggles. A television innovation about medical innovation, The Knick prevailed through its intense, sometimes graphic depiction of early 20th-century medicine, juxtaposed with a modern soundtrack.

The Knick was a two-season marvel. It was a sincere period piece that mastered the atmosphere in an almost-immersive way. With Soderbergh on board to direct all 20 episodes, The Knick had a visceral, consistent vision that was darkly authentic and wonderfully lived-in. The compelling historical setting afforded The Knick the ability to set itself apart from similar shows on screen, while presenting a character-driven narrative that dominated television. For his part, Owen was sensational as the deeply flawed doctor. The Knick thrived as a top-tier period drama that deserved more attention than it received.

10

‘This Is Going to Hurt’ (2022)

Image via BBC

It’s time to cross the pond for a brilliant miniseries based on Adam Kay‘s memoir, This Is Going to Hurt. Created by Kay himself, the miniseries was a darkly humorous and no-holds-barred look at the lives of junior doctors working on an obstetrics and gynecology ward in a London National Health Service Hospital. The series chronicles the stories of Adam Kay (Ben Whishaw), a gifted yet prickly doctor, and Shruti Acharya (Ambika Mod), a young trainee under intense pressure, as they work their way up the hospital’s hierarchy. The seven-part, fourth-wall-breaking dramedy provided a blistering commentary on the NHS that was equal parts gut-wrenching drama and hilariously humor-filled.

Rather than provide a glossy drama, This Is Going to Hurt prided itself on portraying a messy, exhausting, and unrewarding reality of life as a junior doctor. Because of their wild intensity in their direct addresses, you might find Adam and Shruti unlikable, yet their demeanor and tone reflected the environment they were thrust into. With that, the story became smartly witty and heartbreaking all at once. Unlike any other series on this list, This Is Going to Hurt is a wonderful series to binge in a single weekend sitting. Though both The Pitt and This Is Going to Hurt propose the unglamorous side to the profession, the latter is much more biting.