10 TV Shows We Thought Would Be The Next Grey’s Anatomy

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While not the first hospital drama on television, Grey’s Anatomy truly mastered the formula, turning the medical drama into a major cultural trend. Building on the foundation laid by the original modern medical drama, ER, Grey’s Anatomy added a compelling and dramatic storyline that captivated audiences.

Numerous medical dramas have attempted to replicate the enduring success of Grey’s Anatomy, but only Shonda Rhimes has truly mastered the blend of compelling medical cases and deeply personal stories. The following shows represent the closest attempts, whether through direct inspiration, spin-offs, or similar ambitious approaches.

Pulse

2025

I really got a Grey’s Anatomy vibe from Netflix’s Pulse. It felt like they were intentionally trying to recreate that same mix of intense hospital cases and the personal lives of the doctors – all the romance, the tough choices, and those cliffhangers that keep you hooked. Honestly, it followed the Grey’s formula pretty closely, with all the drama between the residents and the ethical questions they faced in the emergency room.

There was a clear nod to Grey’s Anatomy in one scene: a young doctor revealed she’d been inspired to become a medic after watching the show growing up. While Pulse didn’t offer anything groundbreaking, moments like these suggested Netflix was deliberately appealing to Grey’s fans, blending familiar feelings with a modern storyline.

Chicago Med

2015-Present

Unlike Grey’s Anatomy, which focuses on personal drama and relationships, Chicago Med is much more similar to other shows created by Dick Wolf. As part of the One Chicago universe—which also includes Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.—it’s a fast-moving, case-of-the-week series designed to connect with those other shows.

As a film and TV buff, I’ve noticed a really interesting approach to storytelling in this show. It’s not really about the doctors and nurses themselves, though they’re compelling. Instead, the medical cases are what truly push the plot forward – their emotional journeys often enhance the drama of the cases, rather than being the main focus. What’s also cool is how storylines build over multiple episodes and even seasons, making the whole world feel incredibly real and connected. It feels less like a series of isolated incidents and more like a shared, ongoing experience with real stakes.

As a big medical drama fan, I’ve noticed that Chicago Med really focuses on how a hospital works – it’s less about the doctors’ personal lives and more about the day-to-day operations and procedures. While Grey’s Anatomy pulls you in with all the romance and emotional stories, Chicago Med is all about the structure, how everything connects, and that familiar, fast-paced feel you get from other shows created by Dick Wolf. It’s a different approach to the genre, honestly.

The Good Doctor

2017-2024

Like Grey’s Anatomy, The Good Doctor features a big ensemble cast, developing romantic storylines, and heartfelt stories centered around its patients. It has many of the familiar qualities of a medical drama in the style of Grey’s Anatomy.

But the show’s basic design is quite different. The Good Doctor focuses on Dr. Shaun Murphy, played by Freddie Highmore, and remains centered on his point of view even as other characters grow. The series explores both the medical mysteries and the relationships between the characters primarily through Shaun’s experiences as a surgeon with autism.

As a critic, I’ve always found The Good Doctor fascinating because it really centers around Shaun’s unique perspective – how he navigates everything from his medical work to his personal life. But that focus also means the show, over its seven seasons, often feels more like a series of cases and issues being tackled. It’s different from Grey’s Anatomy, which truly excels as a drama built around the complex relationships and emotional lives of its ensemble cast. While The Good Doctor investigates problems, Grey’s lives in the drama of them.

Brilliant Minds

2024-Present

Similar to The Good Doctor, Brilliant Minds has some things in common with Grey’s Anatomy, such as a large ensemble cast, moving patient cases, and relationships between characters. But the way the show is structured is what really makes it different.

The show centers on Dr. Oliver Wolf (Zachary Quinto), a neurologist who can’t recognize faces. It’s unique because it explores cases and relationships through the lens of how the brain works, focusing on Oliver’s understanding of behavior and human connection. Each episode typically revolves around a specific neurological case or concept.

Although Brilliant Minds features a cast of characters, the story primarily focuses on a single lead, with the others supporting their journey. While there are romantic relationships and personal conflicts – including an unusual love triangle involving older LGBTQ+ characters – these aren’t the main focus. Unlike Grey’s Anatomy, which relies on the interactions of its entire cast, Brilliant Minds is a show centered around one character solving cases, with emotional moments added in.

Transplant

2020-2024

Similar to Grey’s Anatomy, Transplant focuses on the personal lives and relationships of its doctors, alongside intense medical cases. Both shows prioritize character development and emotional storytelling, delving into the backstories of the medical professionals as they balance work and their personal lives.

Unlike some medical dramas, Transplant feels more realistic and focuses its story. The series follows Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq), a Syrian refugee starting over in Canada, and his personal experiences are central to the show’s emotional impact. Though it features a team of doctors, the story primarily revolves around Bash’s journey, making it more focused on his perspective than shows like Grey’s Anatomy.

Unlike Grey’s Anatomy, which focuses on dramatic relationships and exciting medical cases, Transplant aims for a more realistic portrayal of the immigrant experience and the world of medicine. It prioritizes believable stories over over-the-top drama, creating a show that’s emotionally powerful but less flashy.

New Amsterdam

2018-2023

Similar to Grey’s Anatomy, New Amsterdam focuses on both compelling medical cases and the personal lives of its doctors. Both shows emphasize the doctors’ relationships and emotional growth as much as the patients they care for.

The series revolves around Dr. Max Goodwin (Ryan Eggold), a passionate leader who constantly asks, “How can I help?,” giving the show its heartfelt center. Though Dr. Goodwin is the main focus, the series also develops a rich cast of supporting characters, each with their own compelling storylines unfolding within the hospital.

What sets New Amsterdam apart is its focus on improving the healthcare system itself. The show frequently tackles and tries to resolve larger issues within the institutions, which makes it a bit more focused on these problems than Grey’s Anatomy. However, with its many relationships, warmhearted approach, and dedication to caring for patients, New Amsterdam is a strong example of a contemporary medical drama that emphasizes emotional connection.

Doc

2025-Present

“Doc” shares a similar feel to “Grey’s Anatomy,” focusing on dramatic relationships between characters, but with a unique premise. Like “Grey’s Anatomy,” it’s a character-driven show full of emotional twists. However, the main character, Dr. Amy Larsen (played by Molly Parker), suffers a head injury and memory loss, which adds an intriguing element. This memory loss allows the story to be revealed through flashbacks and creates a complicated love triangle that she doesn’t initially recall.

The show Doc has a compelling and dramatic core that would feel right at home on Grey’s Anatomy. Similar to Grey’s, the series focuses more on the lives and relationships of the doctors themselves than on the patients they treat. Romantic entanglements, betrayals, and changing loyalties are the main focus, with medical cases often serving as a setting for personal and emotional drama.

Interestingly, several doctors on the show have become patients themselves in just two seasons, making the personal and professional sides of their lives increasingly intertwined. This creates a storyline similar to Grey’s Anatomy, but with a more noticeable and intentional storytelling technique.

Station 19

2018-2024

Station 19 is very similar to Grey’s Anatomy, but instead of doctors, it focuses on the firefighters of Seattle’s Fire Station 19. As the second show spun off from Grey’s Anatomy, it explores both the intense, life-or-death situations these first responders face and their personal lives, from the seasoned captain to the newest team members.

Similar to Grey’s Anatomy, this show focuses on a group of characters and their interconnected lives. It blends intense, high-stakes emergencies – like fires and accidents – with personal stories of love, friendship, and inner struggles. The dramatic events aren’t just action; they help us understand and connect with the characters.

Because many of the same people worked on both shows, Station 19 and Grey’s Anatomy often featured shared storylines and characters. The success of Station 19 over seven seasons shows that combining intense, high-pressure jobs with personal drama is a winning formula, even when it’s not set in a hospital.

The Resident

2018-2023

Similar to Grey’s Anatomy, The Resident is a medical drama that focuses on the lives of everyone working at a hospital – from new doctors and nurses to the hospital’s top administrator. It’s an ensemble show, meaning it gives plenty of time and attention to developing a wide range of characters.

The show focuses heavily on relationships – both romantic and friendly – and explores the emotional and moral challenges of working in medicine. Similar to shows like Grey’s Anatomy, the characters are deeply committed to their patients, their jobs, and even improving the healthcare system. The drama comes from both the medical cases and how the characters interact with each other, expertly weaving together their professional and personal lives – and isn’t afraid to tackle difficult storylines, like a significant character death in The Resident.

Instead of grabbing attention with flashy ideas, The Resident stands out because of its well-written stories, talented actors, and focus on the relationships between its characters. This realistic, character-focused style feels like a continuation of what made Grey’s Anatomy so popular.

Private Practice

2007-2013

As someone who’s followed the Grey’s Anatomy universe for years, I always considered Private Practice the strongest spin-off. It felt like a natural extension of the original, and that’s because it followed Dr. Addison Montgomery – Kate Walsh, absolutely fantastic as always – as she traded Seattle Grace for a fresh start at a wellness center in Los Angeles. It really allowed us to see a different side of her character, and it felt like a smooth transition for fans.

Similar to Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice combines the pressures of the medical world with the characters’ personal lives. The show follows Addison and her coworkers as they deal with patients, office politics, and their own relationships. It focuses on the whole team, allowing each doctor to grow through their own stories, romances, and challenges, all while still showcasing compelling patient cases.

Similar to its predecessor, Private Practice blends intense medical cases with complex relationships. Created by and executive produced by Shonda Rhimes, the show embodies the classic Shondaland approach: heartfelt stories focused on characters, with plenty of romance, friendship, and difficult moral questions. It feels like a natural continuation of the Grey’s Anatomy universe.

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2026-04-04 17:32