I’m Not Sure How Fox’s Doc Figured Out How To Bring Back Richard, But I’m Psyched To See Scott Wolf Again

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Doc will return to television in 2025, following a dramatic start to Season 2 featuring a hostage crisis. The show is also performing very well on Netflix. Between the first and second seasons, there were some significant changes to the cast, and it wasn’t limited to the two actors who became main characters. Scott Wolf, who played the antagonist Dr. Richard Miller in Season 1, initially seemed finished with Doc after his character’s storyline concluded. However, he’s now returning in two unexpected ways, and I’m happy the writers found a way to make it happen.

As reported by TV Insider, Scott Wolf is returning as Richard Miller for several episodes later in Season 2 as a guest star. However, maybe calling him “Dr.” Miller isn’t quite right considering his medical license was suspended at the end of Season 1. He was fired from the hospital after it was revealed he accidentally caused a patient’s death and then tried to exploit Amy’s amnesia to make it look like *her* fault. (You can currently watch Season 1 with a Netflix subscription.)

Given that most of the events in Doc take place at Westside Hospital, it seemed unlikely Richard would return unless there was a serious medical issue and no other hospital options in Minneapolis for him or his family. We don’t yet know the reason for his return, but with Felicity Huffman joining the cast as the new Chief of Medicine, it’s highly probable he isn’t coming back to apply for the job. Scott Wolf is also set to direct an episode scheduled to air on Fox in 2026.

Doc executive producer Hank Steinberg explained to the publication why they decided to bring Richard back, even though it appeared impossible after Season 1. He shared a preview of what’s to come:

His return will bring a fresh and unexpected energy to the show, offering a unique perspective and a different entry point to the story. The Doc family genuinely loves Scott, and making him return was a high priority for us. It took a couple of months of brainstorming – we discussed it roughly every two weeks – but we struggled to find the right approach. Eventually, as the season’s storyline developed, a natural and exciting opportunity presented itself, and we jumped at it. Both Fox and Sony were thrilled with the plan. It’s going to be really great.

I don’t know exactly how to bring him back in a natural and compelling way, but I’m excited to explore the possibilities! Like many viewers, I initially expected Richard to be a straightforward, unlikeable villain throughout Season 1. However, the writers – Doc specifically – gave him a backstory, and Scott Wolf did a great job portraying the emotional impact of those past events. This ultimately made Richard a character we could actually feel sorry for.

His actions were definitely still wrong, but understanding his motivations made him a far more compelling character than a simple villain who carelessly harmed a patient and only worried about the consequences for himself. It seems I wasn’t alone in feeling this way; the executive producer shared a similar reaction. Hank Steinberg said:

The crowd absolutely loved him, reacting enthusiastically and wanting more. He brought so much energy to the show Doc and portrayed the villain as a really complex and well-developed character.

As of now, there’s no official word on when Scott Wolf will be back as Dr. Richard Miller. However, you can catch new episodes of Doc on Fox every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET, before Murder in a Small Town, which features Rossif Sutherland and Kristin Kreuk. Both shows make their newest episodes available to stream on Hulu the day after they air.

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2025-10-01 03:03